Geothermal heating demonstration project at Mammoth Lakes Village. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5195366

Sims, A V; Campbell, R G

A pilot project is described which demonstrated the feasibility of using geothermal energy for space heating and snow-melting at the Casa Diablo geothermal reservoir near Mammoth Lakes Village, California. The geothermal heating system employed was modeled after the geothermal district heating system used extensively in Iceland. The geothermal heating system incorporated a closed secondary heating loop (Iceland's system uses the geothermal fluids directly) to provide heat to a lumber store, warehouse and display area, and to melt snow on a connecting walkway between the buildings. The secondary loop, containing a mixture of fresh water and ethylene glycol, was heated by geothermal fluids produced from a nearby well. After passing through a heat exchanger, the cooled geothermal fluids were reinjected down another well. The heating system operated for three different periods, and the project concluded after a successful, long-term demonstration of well pump and heating system operation. Pump problems encountered early in the project were solved, and information gained in the final operation period indicated that reliable, extended periods of well pump operation can be achieved. The hydronic heaters effectively heated buildings, and the snow-melting walkway performed very well during winter operation.

• Research Organization: Holt (Ben) Co., Pasadena, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5195366
• Report Number(s): P-500-80-009
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CALIFORNIA
DISTRICT HEATING
GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
MELTING
NORTH AMERICA
PERFORMANCE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PIPES
PUMPS
SNOW
SPACE HEATING
USA
WESTERN REGION