Assessment of thermal water resources of Precaspian-Guba district and methodology of its use

Abstract

The relevance In the article, the results of thermal and mineral water search and exploration conducted in Yalama, Nabran, Khudat, Khachmaz areas of the Caspian-Guba thermal water field were reviewed. The aim of the work is to determine the fresh and low-mineralized underground water sources of the region and their effective use, evaluation and forecasting of exploitation resources is a priority issue. Methods. The principle of development of deep geothermal systems and its application to the studied area were considered. So that, the produced thermal water can be used for heating local and regional heating networks and also in resort hotels, industrial complexes and residential buildings. Conversion of heat into electrical energy is possible with additional technologies such as Organic Rankine Cycle (Rankine Cycle) units or Kalina units at temperatures above approximately 80°C. Therefore, economically efficient production requires a temperature of 120°C or higher. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) plants operate with lower boiling temperature due to the use of an organic heat transfer liquid. Thevapor phase of this liquid passes through a turbine and drives the electric generator. Kalina plants use an ammonia-water mixture as the heat carrier. Results. Based on the results of numerous measurements, a graphical representation of the research area was created in the Grapher program and a temperature and discharge distribution map was created in the Surfer program. The geothermal energy potential brought by the wells dug in the Nabran, Khudat, Khachmaz zone was calculated and the prospect of using this energy was determined. In the Nabran, Khudat and Khachmaz areas, and in the upper productive aquifer complex, the calculated operational reserves of important therapeutic mineral waters and thermal waters as a type of thermal energy are more than 30,000 m3/day in categories A, B, and CI.