Hydrogeological study and numerical model of the Suio-Castelforte hydrothermal area (central Italy)

Anna Casale (a), Michele Saroli (a), Gaspare Giovinco (a), Michele Lancia (a), Matteo Albano (a,b), Francesco Zarlenga (c) & Marco Dell'Isola (a)
(a) Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and southern Lazio, Via G. Di Biasio 43, 03043, Cassino, Italy. E-mail: a.casale@unicas.it (b) Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma - Italy (c) Technical Unit for Renewable Energy Sources – ENEA Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese, 301 00123 S. Maria di Galeria Rome - Italy

A numerical simulation has been performed through the natural geothermal system of Suio-Castelforte (LT) in order to investigate the hydothermal area and assess its geothermal potentiality. Starting from geological and hydrogeological data a 2D conceptual model has been built. For numerical purpose, the latter idealizes and simplifies the natural system. The area has been affected by a temperature gradient, from low to medium enthalpy, related to the Quaternary volcanism. By a FEM (Finite Element Model) method, using the COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS® software, a homogeneous and isotrope media have been assumed, simulating the groundwater flow and simultaneous heat transfer. Using the porous media approach, Darcy and heat transfer laws have been applied in steady-state conditions. The results have been compared with the collected data and bibliography.

Aurunci Mts., numerical analysis, Roccamonfina Volcano, thermal springs