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Geothermal resources of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Conference · · Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5304034

Optimum sites for the development of geothermal energy in the eastern United States will probably be associated with the flat-lying sediments beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The basement rocks beneath the sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain contain, in places, granite that is relatively enriched in the radiogenic elements uranium and thorium. During the natural process of radioactive disintegration, heat is released whch is in addition to the normal heat flow around and beneath the granitic plutonic rocks. The sediments above the basement rocks have a relatively low thermal conductivity act as an insulator, resulting in relatively high geothermal gradients within the insulator. Evaluation of geophysical data from New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina has led to the choice of a site near Crisfield, Maryland, where a deep test well and reinjection well will be drilled by the Department of Energy. The test well will provide data to evaluate the potential production of hot water from deep aquifers in the sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Research Organization:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg
OSTI ID:
5304034
Report Number(s):
CONF-790213-
Journal Information:
Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Vol. 6; ISSN ENTED
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150101* -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability-- USA-- (-1989)
151000 -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
ATLANTIC OCEAN
COASTAL REGIONS
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMAL WATER HEATING
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
SEAS
SITE SELECTION
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
USA
WELLS