Geothermal Resources: An Energy Alternative

ForewordPrefaceChapter 1. The Energy Outlook Introduction New Methods for Recovery, Power Generation and Distribution Increased Utilization of the Limitless Energy Sources Development and Utilization of Other Energy Sources and Techniques Geothermal Energy — An Alternative Geothermal Resource Assessment for the United States of America Recoverability from U.S. Geothermal ResourcesChapter 2. Basic Concepts Introduction Earth's Structure Temperatures within the Earth and Heat Flow The Source for Heat Flow Through the Earth's Surface Volcanoes and Plate TectonicsChapter 3. Heat Transfer Introduction Temperature, Heat and its Storage Heat Conduction Isotropic Solids Anisotropic Solids Heat Convection Heat Radiation Temperatures within the Earth's CrustChapter 4. Geothermal Systems and Resources Introduction Types of Geothermal Systems Vapor-Dominated Geothermal Fields Hot Water Geothermal Systems Geopressured Geothermal Resources Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Systems MagmaChapter 5. Exploration Techniques Geological and Hydrological Techniques General Background Geothermal Resources Associated with Igneous Intrusions in the Upper Crust Geothermal Regimes not Related to Young Intrusions Choosing a Prospect Geochemical Techniques Origin of Geothermal Fluids Chemical Composition of Geothermal Fluids Geothermometers Geophysical Techniques Thermal Methods Electrical Resistivity Methods Electromagnetic Methods Audio-Frequency Magnetoteiluric Method Self-Potential Method Seismic Methods Gravity Surveys Magnetic Surveys Airborne Surveys Infra-Red Radiation and Atmospheric Transmission Windows Infra-Red Aerial Surveys Aeromagnetic Investigations Utilization of Satellite Data Concluding RemarksChapter 6. Assessment and Exploitation Drilling Technology Drilling with Mud Drilling with Air Well Spacing Safety Measures Repairing of Wells Novel Drilling Techniques Reservoir Physics and Engineering Subsurface Well and Reservoir Conditions Temperature Measurements Pressure Measurements Flow Measurements Pressure-Transient Analysis Reservoir Modelling Production Technology Wellhead Equipment Transmission of Hot Water Transmission of Steam Transmission of a Steam-Water Mixture Scale Deposition and Corrosion ControlChapter 7. The Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field, Mexico Introduction Location Geothermal Manifestations Geological Background Results of Preliminary Exploration Geochemical Surveys Electrical Surveys An East-West Model Section through Cerro Prieto Drilling Production Transportation of Steam The Power Plant Costs Further DevelopmentChapter 8. World-Wide Status of Geothermal Resource Utilization Electric Power Generation New Developments in Power Generation Systems Energy Efficiency in Geothermal Electric Power Generation Environmental Considerations Non-Electrical Use World-Wide Utilization of Geothermal Energy Concluding RemarksChapter 9. Further Topics Artificial Stimulation of Geothermal Systems The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Experiments Forced Geoheat Recovery in the Pacific Northwest Underground Explosions for Fracturing The First Geopressured Geothermal Well Environmental Factors and Waste Disposal Hydrogen Sulphide Carbon Dioxide Airborne Poisons Waterborne Poisons Noise Heat Silica Seismicity and Subsidence Reinjection Legal and Institutional AspectsReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index