Potential for crop drying with geothermal hot water resources in the western United States: alfalfa, a case study. Report 305-100-02

Technical Report · Wed Jun 22 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5814428· OSTI ID:5814428

Wright, T C

Preliminary results of engineering, economic, and geographic analysis of the use of low-temperature geothermal heat for the commercial drying of grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables and livestock products in the United States are reported. Alfalfa (lucerne) dehydration was chosen for detailed process and cost study. Six different geothermal heat exchanger/dryer configurations were examined. A conveyor type that could utilize geothermal hot water for its entire heat requirement proved to be the most economical. A capital cost estimate for an all-geothermal alfalfa dehydration plant near the Heber Known Geothermal Resource Area in the Imperial Valley, California was prepared. The combined cost for heat exchangers and dryer is about $1.6 million. Output is about 11 metric tons per hour. Acreage, production and dollar value data for 22 dryable crops were compiled for the areas surrounding identified hydrothermal resources in 11 western states. The potential magnitude of fossil fuel use that could be replaced by geothermal heat for drying these crops will be estimated.

• Research Organization: Futures Group, Glastonbury, CT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5814428
• Report Number(s): IDO-1628-T1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
ALFALFA
CALIFORNIA
COST
CROPS
DEHYDRATION
DEHYDRATORS
DRYERS
DRYING
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
GEOGRAPHY
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL PROCESS HEAT
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEBER GEOTHERMAL FIELD
IMPERIAL VALLEY
LEGUMINOSAE
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
PROCESS HEAT
USA
WESTERN REGION