Geothermal Energy and

Geotechnical Engineering
Wael Alkasawneh, P.E., PhD.

January 11, 2011

Geothermal Energy In Numbers

The U.S. geothermal industry is a $1.8 billion per year

p
enterprise.
The U.S. geothermal energy market grew at an annual
average increase of 8% over the last 10 years.
15% of the renewable energy in the U.S is produced by
geothermal energy systems.
U.S. shallow geothermal systems heat and provide hot
water for 7 million homesthe equivalent of saving about
46 5 million
46.5 illi bbarrels
l off crude
d oilil or nearly
l six
i ddays worth
th off
imported oil.
Geothermal technology could supply 10% of the U.S.
U S base
load electricity by year 2050
Geothermal Heat Distribution
Geothermal Heat Distribution
Geothermal Gradient
Typical Types of Geothermal Systems

Open Loop Systems

Typical Types of Geothermal Systems

Closed Loop Systems

Mechanical Components

Geothermal Heat Pumps

 Geotechnical Geothermal Systems
Piles and Drilled Shafts
Piles As Geothermal Systems

Configurations of Heat Exchanger Pipes

Piles As Geothermal Systems

Configurations of Heat Exchanger Pipes

Typical Types of Geothermal Systems

Closed Loop Systems

Thermal Conductivity Test

Measures the quantity of heat transmitted per unit,

area unit temperature, in unit time (eg. Btu/h
Btu/hftF).
ft F).
Geothermal Soil Parameters

Soil Parameters to Investigate:

Unit weight
Water content
Void ratio
e a ogy
Mineralogy
Thermal conductivity
Specific heat
Specific
Thermal Conductivity/Typical Values

Material Conductivity (W/m.k)

Low porosity sedimentary rocks (<30%) (e (e.g.
g
shale, sandstone, siltstone) 2.2-2.6
Quartz sandstone (5% & 30% porosity) 6.5, 2.25
Igneous plutonic rocks (e(e.g.
g granite
granite, gabbro) 3
Schist, Serpentine 2.9
Quartzite 5.5
Sand (gravel)
(gravel), saturated sand 0 77 2
0.77, 2.5
5
Silt 1.67
Clay, saturated 1.11, 1.67
For Comparison: Water = 0.6,
0 6 Air = 0.0252
0 0252
Components of a Successful Geothermal Planning

Minimum knowledge:
Thermal properties of the soil/bedrock (thermal
conductivity, and undisturbed soil/water /bedrock
temperature)
The operating characteristics of the heat pumps
Estimated annual and peak block loads of the
structures/applications
Properties
p of the heat exchanger
g ((size of the U-tubes,, the
grouting material, etc.)
Permittingg and legal
g restrictions.
Geothermal Energy

Questions