Evaluation of low-temperature geothermal potential in Cache Valley, Utah. Report of investigation No. 174

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6594819· OSTI ID:6594819

de Vries, J L

Field work consisted of locating 90 wells and springs throughout the study area, collecting water samples for later laboratory analyses, and field measurement of pH, temperature, bicarbonate alkalinity, and electrical conductivity. Na/sup +/, K/sup +/, Ca/sup +2/, Mg/sup +2/, SiO/sub 2/, Fe, SO/sub 4//sup -2/, Cl/sup -/, F/sup -/, and total dissolved solids were determined in the laboratory. Temperature profiles were measured in 12 additional, unused walls. Thermal gradients calculated from the profiles were approximately the same as the average for the Basin and Range province, about 35/sup 0/C/km. One well produced a gradient of 297/sup 0/C/km, most probably as a result of a near-surface occurrence of warm water. Possible warm water reservoir temperatures were calculated using both the silica and the Na-K-Ca geothermometers, with the results averaging about 50 to 100/sup 0/C. If mixing calculations were applied, taking into account the temperatures and silica contents of both warm springs or wells and the cold groundwater, reservoir temperatures up to about 200/sup 0/C were indicated. Considering measured surface water temperatures, calculated reservoir temperatures, thermal gradients, and the local geology, most of the Cache Valley, Utah area is unsuited for geothermal development. However, the areas of North Logan, Benson, and Trenton were found to have anomalously warm groundwater in comparison to the background temperature of 13.0/sup 0/C for the study area. The warm water has potential for isolated energy development but is not warm enough for major commercial development.

• Research Organization: Utah Geological and Mineral Survey, Salt Lake City (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AS07-77ET28393
• OSTI ID: 6594819
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/28393-T1; ON: DE83001219
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150301* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
150302 -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMOMETERS
GROUND WATER
Geothermal Legacy
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMOMETERS
USA
UTAH
WATER
WATER WELLS
WELLS