Problems with Disposal of Heat-Spent Thermal Effluent and Their Influence on Development of Low-to-Moderate Temperature Geothermal Reservoirs
- Key words
- Environmental; Exploration; Underground; Spent Fluids; Reinjection; Injection; Aquifers; Case Studies; Hydrologic Surveys
- Location
- Reno, Nevada; Klamath Falls, Oregon; Susanville, California; Elko, Nevada
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1990
- Session
- Direct use; Injection; Environmental aspects; Water quality;
- Language
- English
Abstract
The exploitation of low to moderate geothermal aquifers is similar to development of nonthermal aquifers in some respects. However, there are some problems which are peculiar to these resources. Although the hydrostratigraphic unit may be areally extensive, the thermal reservoir itself is typically of limited areal extent. So, in addition to being constrained by the physical attributes of the system, resource development can be inhibited by regulations which have their origins removed from these types of systems. Examples of how the regulations for disposal of heat spend thermal effluents via Class V injection wells influenced development of four low to moderate temperature geothermal reservoirs are discussed below.
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