Hoosac tunnel geothermal heat source. Final report
The Hoosac Rail Tunnel has been analyzed as a central element in a district heating system for the City of North Adams. The tunnel has been viewed as a collector of the earth's geothermal heat and a seasonal heat storage facility with heat piped to the tunnel in summer from existing facilities at a distance. Heated fluid would be transported in winter from the tunnel to users who would boost the temperature with individual heat pumps. It was concluded the tunnel is a poor source of geothermal heat. The maximum extractable energy is only 2200 million BTU (20000 gallons of oil) at 58/sup 0/F. The tunnel is a poor heat storage facility. The rock conductivity is so high that 75% of the heat injected would escape into the mountain before it could be recaptured for use. A low temperature system, with individual heat pumps for temperature boost could be economically attractive if a low cost fuel (byproduct, solid waste, cogeneration) or a cost effective seasonal heat storage were available.
- Research Organization:
- West Stockbridge Enterprises, Inc., MA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG41-81R123272
- OSTI ID:
- 5200312
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/R1/23272-T1; MA-81-012; ON: DE86000378
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
SEASONAL THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
COST
MASSACHUSETTS
TUNNELS
URBAN AREAS
DISTRICT HEATING
ENERGY STORAGE
FEDERAL REGION I
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
HEAT STORAGE
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
STORAGE
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
Geothermal Legacy
151000* - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization