Finding Resources
From Thermal-FluidsPedia
Finding Resources Short of drilling directly into the hydrothermal reservoir, chemical geothermometry is perhaps the best tool for surface exploration of deep geothermal resources. The concentrations of the many minerals dissolved in underground reservoirs are highly temperature dependent. The temperature of an underground geothermal reservoir can therefore be estimated by measuring of chemical composition of various minerals in the hot spring water. The ratios of concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and lithium, as well as the isotopes of individual atoms are commonly used as indicators for viability of the subsurface reservoir for geothermal exploitation.
References
Toossi Reza, "Energy and the Environment:Sources, technologies, and impacts", Verve Publishers, 2005
Further Reading
Dipippo, R., Geothermal Power Plants: Principals, Applications and Case Histories, Elsevier, 2005.
Dickson, M. H., Fanelli, M., Geothermal Energy: Utilization and Technology, Stylus Pub., 2005.
Ochsner, K, Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Guide for Planning and Installing, Earthscan Ltd, 2007.
Gupta, H. , and Roy, S., Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century, Elsevier, 2007.
Geothermics, Direct Science Elsevier Publish. Company, publishes articles on geothermal energy resources and technologies.
Geotimes, Journal of the American Geological Institute.
Geo-heat Center Quarterly Bulletin, covers how-to articles on various geothermal applications and equipment, progress in research and development activities of direct heat utilization
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, an international journal on the geophysical, geochemical, petrological, economic, and environmental aspects of volcanology and geothermal research.
External Links
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Geothermal Energy Program (http://www.nrel.gov/geothermal).
Idaho National Laboratory Geothermal Program (http://geothermal.id.doe.gov).
US Department of Energy Geothermal Technology Program (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal).
California Energy Commission ((http://www.energy.ca.gov/geothermal).
Geothermal Resources Council (http://www.geothermal.org).
Geothermal Energy Association (http://www.geo-energy.org).