Dye tracing to optimise ATES or MTES systems

Exploring the potential of open loop systems (ATES) and repurposed mines for geothermal energy (MTES)? Let's dive into the utility of fluorescent dye tracing!

Why fluorescent dye tracing?

Understanding groundwater flow is essential for efficient geothermal heating/cooling or energy in open loop systems and abandoned mines. A fluorescent dye tracer test is a relatively inexpensive method to characterise groundwater networks.

How does the methodology work?

A harmless artificial fluorescent tracer is injected into the groundwater or mine water. The tracer is distributed by the water an can be detected by a monitoring network of TRAQUA's compact and autonomous optical sensors: the STREAM fluorometers (with a depth rating of up to 100bar/-1000m).

Real-time detection of fluorescent tracer results in restitution curves that give valuable insights into the flow paths and hydrogeology.

Benefits for geothermal projects

➡️ Efficiency: Finding the most effective water flows ensures optimal heat transfer, improving the efficiency.

➡️ Risk mitigation: Identifying unintended flows helps prevent potential environmental concerns or operational setbacks (f.e. thermal interference within and between geothermal systems).

➡️ Design validation: Predicting and validating design assumptions and ensuring they match real-world conditions.

➡️ Cost and logistics: Fluorescent dye tracer tests are particularly useful in open loop systems and abandoned mines. They are a cheap and easy to set up alternative to temperature tracing to characterise the complex groundwater pathways.

Ready to discuss your project? contact@traqua.be