Geothermal Hot Water and Space Heating System in Egypt

Abstract

Direct utilization of geothermal energy refers to the immediate use of the heat energy rather than to its conversion to electrical energy. The primary forms of direct use include heating and cooling. Geothermal energy could be used to supply hot water or could be used with a special equipment (radiators) to make buildings warmer during winter seasons. In general, the geothermal fluid temperatures required for direct heat use are lower than those for economic electric power generation. Most direct use applications use geothermal fluids in the low-to-moderate temperature range between 50o and 150oC. Although Egypt is not characterized by abundant igneous activity, its location in the northeastern corner of the African plate suggests that it possess geothermal resources, especially along its eastern margin. The data indicate that the temperature of 150 oC may be found in the reservoir in the gulf of Suez and red coastal zone. This work designs a geothermal hot water and space heating system to operate in three buildings in a remote area in the Eastern Desert (i.e. school, home & emergency hospital ) and applies to the Umm Huweitat well(sample no. 69 on the Red Sea approximately 20 km north of the city of Safaga.) as a case study.