Evaluation and targeting of geothermal energy resources in the southeastern United States. Progress report, May 1, 1976--June 30, 1976
The optimum sites for geothermal development in the tectonically stable eastern United States will probably be associated with crustal igneous rocks containing relatively high concentrations of radiogenic heat-producing elements. In order to locate such sites, a methodology employing geological, geochemical, and geophysical techniques is being developed and applied. One geologic environment suitable for the storage of commercially exploitable geothermal heat at accessible depths is a radiogenic source buried beneath an insulating blanket of sediments of low thermal conductivity, such as the sedimentary rocks of the Coastal Plain of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Preliminary determinations of geothermal gradients in Coastal Plain sediments of South Carolina indicate gradients that range from about 20/sup 0/C/km to at least 45/sup 0/C/km. Representative average gradients determined from bottom-hole temperatures are about 30/sup 0/C/km. The observed gradients are consistent with those to be expected for an efficient sedimentary insulator with a low thermal conductivity.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7154278
- Report Number(s):
- VPI-SU-5103-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
150201 -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems-- USA-- (-1989)
150300* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology
CENTRAL REGION
CHEMISTRY
EXPLORATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
HEAT FLOW
HEAT SOURCES
LITHOLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCES
SITE SELECTION
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTHEAST REGION
STRATIGRAPHY
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
VIRGINIA