Store heat underground

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · CHEMTECH; (United States)

OSTI ID:6049557

Molz, F J; Raymond, J R

Underground rock formations that store and transmit water are called aquifers. Aquifers can be composed of many materials, such as limestone, fractured granite, sandstone, or, quite commonly, loose sand. If hot or chilled water is pumped into an aquifer, stored for a period of time, and then recovered, one has produced an aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system. The major purpose of such a system is to store energy and thereby correct a mismatch between the availability and the demand for heat or chill. Often this mismatch occurs on a seasonal basis. The three main components of an ATES system are the heat source, the storage aquifer, and the heat sink. Subsystems include the supply and injection wells, pumps, heat exchangers, and piping. An ATES system for heat storage in an aquifer that is confined above and below by relatively impermeable materials, such as clay or shale, is described. Water within such an aquifer mainly moves horizontally. Because the natural groundwater velocity in confined aquifers is often small, any water pumped into the aquifer remains in a volume essentially concentric with the injection well. At an appropriate time, water can then be pumped back to the surface for use.

• Research Organization: Auburn Univ., AL
• OSTI ID: 6049557
• Journal Information: CHEMTECH; (United States), Journal Name: CHEMTECH; (United States); ISSN CHTED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600* -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
AQUIFERS
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GROUND WATER
HEAT STORAGE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
STORAGE
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
WATER