Use Of Geothermal Water Research Articles

Geothermal Potential of the Lublin Trough is Low-temperature and North-concentrated. What May Be Environmental Impact of Their Use?

The geothermal potential is challenging to assess, as on the one hand it requires subsurface parametric description; on another – the variable surface influences the potential and geological conditions. In the article, the author presents a novel method for assessing geothermal potential and its environmental impact. The procedure is implemented to evaluate the geothermal potential of the Lublin trough. Geological modelling and GIS analyses are used to determine prospective areas where geothermal water accessibility and sufficient head demand occur in the direct vicinity. Maximal geothermal heat production is estimated, and upon that – possible avoided emissions of air pollutants. The study results indicate that this region's geothermal resources are of low temperature (<50°C), so the only opportunity for exploitation is the direct use of geothermal water in objects or the operation of ultra-low-temperature district heating systems. The main geothermal energy production potential of the Lublin trough is in its northern part, close to the Warszawa trough and nearby main fracture zones. In total, up to 300 GWh of geothermal heat per year might be produced and consumed in the study area if residential and commercial objects could take advantage of ultra-low-temperature district heating system. It would lead to locally significant limitation of air pollutant emissions and decreased fossil fuel consumption.

The Use of Equipment for the Study of Phase Changes to Determine the Conditions of Precipitation of Inorganic Sediments in Geothermal Waters

In Poland, there are low-temperature geothermal reservoirs that can be used for various purposes in many regions of the country. Low-temperature deposits of geothermal waters are common and occur much more frequently than high-temperature deposits. They contain water with temperatures lower than 150 °C. Their temperature normally ranges from 20 to 90 °C. Achieving a state of equilibrium depends on many factors, including the kinetics of reactions between the individual components of the system, temperature, reactivity of reservoir rock, concentration of chemical components in the water and the time the water remains in contact with the rock. Therefore, this article presents the possibility of checking the conditions of precipitation of inorganic sediments in geothermal waters with the use of PVT equipment. Tests were carried out with the use of geothermal waters under given dynamic conditions (pressure, temperature and flow). This paper confirms the suitability of using the equipment for PVT (device for the study of phase changes) testing in order to determine the conditions for the precipitation of inorganic sediments in geothermal projects. Tests on the precipitation of solid sediments in geothermal waters were carried out. A result of the research is the adaptation of the equipment for PVT testing in order to determine the conditions for the precipitation of inorganic deposits in geothermal waters. As a result, different capillary blocking times were obtained depending on the measurement conditions (e.g., for P = 40 bar, T = 120 °C and q = 1 cm3/min, the blocking start time was 10.8 min). The authors found that solid sludge inhibitors, as well as other chemicals used, including paraffin inhibitors, must be periodically adjusted to prevent precipitation in geothermal waters.

Environmental benefits from geothermal energy use with a well doublet located in the Szczecin Trough (NW Poland).

The article presents environmental aspects related to the use of geothermal waters of the Lower Jurassic in the area of the Szczecin Trough. The research area located in the north-western part of the country has been successfully using underground waters of the Lower Jurassic since the 1990s to generate thermal energy at two geothermal heating plants located in Pyrzyce and Stargard. In the case of the area in question, it was proposed a hypothetical geothermal doublet located in the vicinity of the city of Choszczno, for which numerical simulations were carried out for different variants of the locations of the wells and the intake capacity. On the basis of the obtained results, the environmental effect that could be achieved in the case of the analyzed investment was estimated. Reduction in pollutants emission might be expected on the global scale. Even taking into account the emission linked to the electricity consumed (more than 81% of electricity in 2020 in Poland was produced based on fossil fuels, the share of had coal is about half of them). Local reduction in emission is obvious, and it is strictly related to the amount of reduction of fuels consumption. Taking into account the health resorts and thermal pools that utilize groundwater operating in the Polish Lowlands, the chemical composition of the underground waters extracted in the region of Choszczno was also analyzed, and the possibilities of their use for therapeutic and balneotherapeutic purposes were indicated.

Case Study of Using the Geothermal Potential of Mine Water for Central District Heating—The Rožná Deposit, Czech Republic

This paper analyzes the possibility of using the thermal energy of discharged environmentally friendly mine water for the heat supply of a selected locality. There are few cases of industrial use of geothermal water in the Czech Republic, but mine water has never been the source. Based on this fact, an analysis of the usability of mine water at the Rožná I Mine was carried out. The analysis showed that the energy output of this pumped water was sufficient for the selected location of the municipality of Dolní Rožínka, where long-term annual average consumptions are at a level of 4350 GJ. The theoretical maximum output of this source is calculated as 837.4 kW; therefore, it exceeds the output required to satisfy the energy needs of this location several times over. Based on this input information, a technical and economic model of the heating system installation project was developed with three options. The case study aimed to find and propose an optimal alternative solution to replace the current unsatisfactory state of heat supply in the village of Dolní Rožínka. In the final part of this paper, the most optimal option is identified by a comparative method, which replaces the existing central district heating based on the production of heat energy from natural gas, i.e., fossil fuels. This study was motivated by a strategy to replace fossil energy sources with renewable energy sources wherever conditions are suitable.

Updated geochemical and geothermometry study on Ömer-Gecek geothermal area (Afyonkarahisar/Turkey)

The Ömer-Gecek region, one of the most critical geothermal areas of Afyonkarahisar, together with Western Anatolia, serves as a model for the integrated use of geothermal waters. As a result of the analysis made on the samples collected from the newly drilled wells, the chemical composition of the Ömer-Gecek geothermal waters, with a max temperature of 125 °C, has been determined as Na-Cl. The primary hydrochemical process affecting the chemical composition is silicate weathering. All the applied geothermometer methods showed that the water's maximum reservoir temperature was 120-130 °C. The calcite, dolomite, and aragonite minerals tend to precipitate. When compared with the previous studies in the region, it is seen that the chemical compositions of the waters have not changed, but they have become relatively more mature and closer to reaching their calculated reservoir temperature.

The Use of Geothermal Energy to Heating Crops under Cover: A Case Study of Poland

Among the many different applications of geothermal energy, its use for agricultural production purposes is noteworthy. The use of geothermal water in greenhouse cultivation is the most modern form of production; it enables the implementation of the production cycle throughout the year while reducing energy costs. In this paper, based on basic heat transfer relations, the heat demand of modern greenhouse constructions was determined. The monthly and year-round heat demand was determined for facilities with diversified heights of the side walls. Depending on the type of unit of greenhouse area analysed (1 ha), the calculated annual heat demand ranged from 11.05 to 12.46 TJ. Based on data on the geothermal energy potential in Poland, investment costs and payback periods were determined for the analysed locations. The locations of the facilities were selected based on traditions of plant cultivation in the greenhouse facilities and the availability of geothermal energy. The analysis showed that, under the adopted conditions, without additional co-financing, and in one of the considered locations, the investment will result in positive financial effects after 15 years. In the case of co-financing, at the level of currently existing values, all locations—irrespective of the assumed period of exploitation—showed satisfactory financial effects.

Обследование скважины жаркентского месторождения термальных подземных вод (скважина 3-т)

Geothermal energy resources, as well as other types of renewable energy sources, are able to satisfy almost any consumer in terms of its potential and quality of its energy. The application and the use of geothermal waters of any deposit depends on the energy potential, the chemical composition, the mineralisation and aggressiveness of the water, the general stock and flow rate of wells, the availability and distance of the potential consumer, the temperature and hydraulic modes of boreholes, the depth of occurrence of aquifers and their characteristics, and much more. This feature is one of the main differences of geothermal energy from other renewable energy sources. The exploration of geothermal groundwater was carried out at the Zharkent basin site, in order to assess the operational reserves of thermal groundwaters. There are several wells on the territory of the Zharkent geothermal deposit that can be used as an energy source. Thus two promising geothermal wells, №1RT and №3T, were identified during the exploration, according to which the studies were carried out.

Physicochemical Composition Variability and Hydraulic Conditions in a Geothermal Borehole—The Latest Study in Podhale Basin, Poland

In deep geothermal boreholes, an effect of temperature (so-called thermal lift) is observed, which results in the volumetric expansion of the fluid extracted. This process results in increased wellhead pressure values being recorded; in the absence of an appropriate correction, hydraulic properties of the reservoir layer cannot be properly determined. As an example of this effect, the Chochołów PIG-1 (CH PIG-1) geothermal borehole situated in Podhale Basin in Poland was used. Hydrodynamic tests including two pumping phases were carried out in the well in order to establish the basic hydraulic properties related to the determination of its operational resources (maximum water extraction value–capacity) and permissible groundwater level. Particular attention was paid to the thermal lift effect in the borehole. The conductivity, which depends on the pumping level, could be two to three times higher with temperature correction than results without any correction. The goal was to analyse the variability of the observed physiochemical properties of the exploited geothermal waters and to determine the correlation between the properties analysed and the temperature of the geothermal water. For the relationship between temperature and the observed pressure at the wellhead, the value of the correlation coefficient was negative (a negative linear relationship was determined), which means that as the temperature increases, the wellhead pressure decreases. The hydrodynamic tests carried out in the CH PIG-1 borehole and the analysis of variability of selected ions and parameters in exploited water were necessary to assess the possibility of increasing the efficiency (Q) of the CH PIG-1 borehole and to determine the water quality and its natural variability. Such information is crucial for the functioning of the recreational complex based on the use of geothermal water. A study of the phenomena affecting the exploitation of hot water from deep boreholes enables their effective exploitation and the use of resources in accordance with the expectations of investors.

Application of Mineral Water from Geothermal Source for Fermentation of Beetroot

Abstract The aim of the study was evaluation of water from geothermal source Uniejów for spontaneous fermentation of red beetroot, assuming that beetroot values in combination with highly mineralized water will lead to innovative products with excellent organoleptic properties and potentially higher pro-health activity in comparison to the products available in the market. In the result, the use of geothermal water allowed to obtain fermented beet cubes and juice characterized by high sensory quality, unique mineral aftertaste, very good flesh firmness and viscosity. A significant impact on the physicochemical characteristics and sensory quality had the original quality of cultivar, which was evaluated higher for ‘Wodan F1’ than for ‘Alto F1’. There were no significant differences in the contents of the selected compounds depending on the type of water, except for cubic texture, which was higher evaluated after fermentation in geothermal water.

Environmental life cycle assessment of Mediterranean tomato: case study of a Tunisian soilless geothermal multi-tunnel greenhouse

Despite the advantages that tomato production has on the economic balance of Tunisia, it may present an environmental pressure on the natural ecosystem. The main objective of this research is to determine the environmental impacts of soilless geothermal conventional multi-tunnel cherry tomato production located in Chenchou (South-West of Tunisia) using life cycle assessment methodology. The functional unit considered is one ton of soilless cherry tomato produced. The system boundaries included: (1) energy, (2) fertigation (3) pesticides (3) transport (4) crop maintenance (Pruning, harvesting, CO2 injects) (5) greenhouse setting-up and (6) waste treatment. The inventory data were collected from the farm exploitation. Ten impact categories were computed using International Reference Life Cycle Data System impact assessment methodology. The results obtained showed that fertilizers and energy sub-systems are the most contributing in the majority of the impacts. The production of 1 ton of tomato emits about 954 kg CO2-eq. Moreover, waste treatment sub-system engendered an avoided global warming, land use, water resources depletion and abiotic resources depletion potential impacts. Finally, the studied system presented a relatively low water footprint due to the use of geothermal water for irrigation. The sensitivity analysis showed that substituting electricity source from natural gas to renewable sources (biomass, photovoltaics and hydropower) could improve the environmental performance of the tomato production system.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Reducing Energy Consumption for a Building using Geothermal Water through the Glass

Electricity consumption is the main criterion for identifying green buildings that contribute to the sustainable development of the world. The aim of this study was to reduce the utilization of electrical energy by air-conditioning devices, by decreasing heat gain via the glass of buildings. The study found that the maximum energy consumption for air conditioners was 48% of total energy in a building. The glass significantly contributes to waste and electrical energy heat loss by heat transfer to the inside of the building. The study showed that the largest surplus of cooling load for a glass type (triple glazing 4/12/4/12/4mm air-filled clear glass) is 44.7 tons, and the lowest simple payback period is 2.19 years for glass type double glazing 5/12/5 mm air-filled clear glass, when the current glass in the building was replaced with six different types of glass. Finally, double glass is improved by adding geothermal water into the heat sink, to remove some of the heat that comes from out. Experimental and numerical results (ANSYS-15) showed that the use of geothermal water decreased heat transfer through glass by nearly 6%.

Analysis of the Sustainable Use of Geothermal Waters and Future Development Possibilities—A Case Study from the Opole Region, Poland

To achieve future energy policy goals, efficient energy systems based on geothermal water should be used more widely. The presented case study from the Opole region in Poland shows that there is great potential for investors interested in recovering geothermal energy in new facilities, for example to heat the domestic districts. The geological structure of the Opolskie Voivodship demonstrates the presence of rich geothermal water resources. Currently, these resources are not used for power engineering in the Opole Region, except for in a few passive houses. The existing boreholes have waters which reach temperatures ranging from 20 to 90 °C and prove that the region displays a high energy potential. The results from the calculations here show that the use of three low temperature geothermal intakes could be possible in three locations, namely in Grabin, in the area of Nysa, and in Wołczyn. This could generate thermal energy at a level of 34 GWh/year. This corresponds to the heat demand of approximately 1150 detached houses with an area of 150 square meters. The results show that thermal energy for a medium size housing district can be supplied from a single borehole. The temperatures of water in the analyzed intakes determine their method of use as a lower heat source for heat pumps.

Wpływ inwestycji infrastrukturalnych, przemysłowych i mieszkaniowych na rozwój układów lokalnych na przykładzie gminy Uniejów w województwie łódzkim

Przedmiotem artykułu są inwestycje w rozwój infrastruktury turystycznej, rekreacyjnej, sportowej i zdrowotnej, a także inwestycje produkcyjne oraz mieszkaniowe, które zostały zrealizowane w latach 2007–2017 na obszarze gminy miejsko-wiejskiej Uniejów w województwie łódzkim, i ich oddziaływanie na rozwój lokalny. Punktem wyjścia w prowadzonych badaniach była identyfikacja czynników lokalizacji inwestycji w Uniejowie w celu poznania mechanizmów decyzji lokalizacyjnych i motywów działań przedsiębiorców. Głównym celem badań jest określenie wpływu inwestycji na rozwój lokalny w wymiarze społeczno- gospodarczym i przestrzenno-funkcjonalnym. W celu osiągnięcia powyższych zamierzeń badawczych przeprowadzono wywiady pogłębione z przedsiębiorcami oraz analizę informacji i danych źródłowych pozyskanych z baz danych statystycznych, bezpośrednio od przedsiębiorców oraz z Urzędu Miasta i Gminy. Wyniki badań wskazują, że przemiany społeczno-gospodarcze zaobserwowane w gminie Uniejów zostały zainicjowane w 2001 roku dzięki wykorzystaniu wody geotermalnej do celów ciepłowniczych, balneoterapeutycznych i rekreacyjnych. Działalność ta przyczyniła się do widocznego rozwoju infrastruktury turystycznej tej niegdyś ubogiej gminy miejsko-wiejskiej o charakterze głównie rolniczym z małym miastem Uniejów, a także do osiągnięcia przez miasto i okoliczne sołectwa statusu uzdrowiska, co wpłynęło na zmiany udziału zatrudnienia mieszkańców w sektorze rolniczym na rzecz sektora usług. Uzyskane wyniki badań wskazują, że trwający przez ostatnie dziesięciolecie dynamiczny rozwój gminy Uniejów ma swoje źródło we wzroście liczby inwestycji, a także jest efektem aktywności władz samorządowych i różnych grup społecznych działających na terenie gminy. Obserwuje się tu jednocześnie efekt mnożnikowy, w wyniku którego inwestycje samorządowe i związany z nimi rozwój przedsiębiorstw generują powstawanie nowych inwestycji.

Characteristics and sustainable utilisation prospects of geothermal waters of the liassic formations in the Mogilno\u2013Lodz Trough, Poland

Mogilno–Lodz Trough is located in central Poland. It is structural basin filled with Triassic-to-Quaternary sediments. Lower Jurassic formations in Poland have one of the best conditions for the heating purposes. Presently, on the area of the Trough, no geothermal plant operates, which utilises geothermal waters from Lower Jurassic formations. Sustainable use of geothermal waters covers, e.g., effective use of thermal energy from waters, before they are injected back to the deposit. Such sustainable use can be achieved in cascaded systems, utilising thermal energy of waters, which gradually lose temperature at following stages of cascaded systems. Geothermal waters and energy occurring in Lower Jurassic formations in Mogilno–Lodz Trough have been analysed in terms of chemical composition and temperature parameters. A dominant type of water is chloride-sodium waters, with specific components contents, such as iodine, bromine, and iron. Lower Jurassic formations are deposited at different depths, which affects, to a high extent, water mineralization and temperature, as well as some elements contents. It has been demonstrated which parameters are decisive about a possibility of using them at particular stages of a cascaded system and where one should expect to find suitable conditions for particular applications.

The concept of multivariant use of geothermal water concentrates

The concept of multivariant use of geothermal water concentrates

Perspectives of geothermal water use in the Podhale Basin according to geothermal step distribution

At present, hydro-geothermal resources in which waters in bores are the carrier of heat energy have commercial importance in Poland. Geothermal waters should feature the highest possible temperature in the outflow, low mineral content, high capacity and low deposit depth. Even though geothermal energy is included in renewable sources of energy, complete depletion of the deposit is the largest risk in extracting geothermal waters. This is why these waters should also feature deposit renewability. There are currently several geothermal provinces with beneficial geothermal conditions in Poland, with the area of the Podhale Basin in the Inner Carpathians region being regarded as the most promising. The Podhale deposit also meets all of the above listed conditions. The possibility of using hydrothermal energy in Poland is practically available throughout the country, but operational use of hot groundwater must be profitable for investors. From another point of view, the environmental impact of such investments should be minimized. This paper is concerned with the special variety of temperature of geothermal waters extracted in the area of the Podhale Basin, which is the basic aspect in using deposits of this type.

The Use of Geothermal Waters in Podhale in Terms of Tourism and Industrial Applications

The Use of Geothermal Waters in Podhale in Terms of Tourism and Industrial Applications

Technical and economic assessment of geothermal soil heating systems in row covered protected crops: A case study from Greece

The application of soil heating can securely transfer the harvest procedure of cultivated plantations to the early or very early season, maximizing in this way the marketable yield and added value. Extended experimentations with geothermal soil heating were elaborated under real operating field conditions based on the running harvest practices and asparagus rows protection techniques. Production and energy data have been collected and processed systematically during the harvest seasons 2002–2007 for direct use of geothermal waters in Neo Erasmio-Xanthi and for the seasons 2006–2016 for low grade shallow energy (heat pumps) applications in Chrysoupoli-Kavala, both in Northern Greece. The application of maximum heating loads in the order of 100–110kW/ha along with maximum entering water temperatures at 35°C has been demonstrated as the most cost effective energy option for off season harvest onset. The main objectives of the present comparative approach are (i) the conclusion on a suitable geothermal soil heating scheme for asparagus cultivation and (ii) the quantification and financial evaluation of soil heating impact on asparagus precocity and total yield at commercial scale. The performed analysis gives prominence to low enthalpy and shallow low grade geothermal energy as efficient, valuable and cost effective energy tools in soil heating.

작동유체에 따른 온도차발전사이클의 성능 해석

The thermodynamic performance of ocean thermal energy conversion with 1 kg/s geothermal water flow rate as a heat source was evaluated to obtain the basic data for the optimal design of cycle with respect to the classification of the working fluid. The basic thermodynamic model for cycle is rankine cycle and the geothermal water and deep seawater were adapted for the heat source of evaporator and condenser, respectively. R245fa, R134a are better to use as a working fluid than others in view of the use of geothermal water. It is important to select the proper working fluid to operate the ocean thermal energy conversion. So, this paper can be used as the basic data for the design of ocean thermal energy conversion with geothermal water and deep seawater.

Comparative investigation of working fluids for an organic Rankine cycle with geothermal water

AbstractIn this paper, the thermodynamic investigation on the use of geothermal water (130 °C as maximum) for power generation through a basic Rankine has been presented together with obtained main results. Six typical organic working fluids (i.e., R245fa, R141b, R290, R600, R152a, and 134a) were studied with modifying the input pressure and temperature to the turbine. The results show that there are no significant changes taking place in the efficiency for these working fluids with overheating the inlet fluid to the turbine, i.e., efficiency is a weak function of temperature. However, with the increasing of pressure ratio in the turbine, the efficiency rises more sharply. The technical viability is shown of implementing this type of process for recovering low temperature heat resource.