Use of distributed temperature sensing (DTS) coupled to ground source heat exchangers for geological thermo-stratigraphic correlation

The thermal characterisation of a geosonde field, consisting of four boreholes at the ENEA-Casaccia Research Centre (Rome, Italy), was carried out by processing the temperature values measured by DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) fibre optics positioned vertically in each well. By correlating the vertical temperature profiles, it was possible to estimate the thermal conductivity of each stratigraphic level and the contribution of the groundwater on the heat exchange between ground and geothermal probes. The theoretical model has been confirmed by the experimental data obtained through direct measurement of thermal conductivity on soil/rock samples collected at different depths. In the first 10 m of depth, temperature variations are influenced by seasonal climatic fluctuations, the amplitude of which decreases with depth, to regularise and assume a linear trend, compatible with the movement of groundwater. The work carried out has shown that the area investigated is affected by the upwelling of hydrothermal fluids from the deep aquifer, which infiltrate the fractured lavas reaching the most superficial layers of the subsurface. The results of this research could be useful for estimating the geothermal potential of the areas within the ‘Cesano geothermal field’, whose lithotypes belong to the Sabatini volcanic province.