Pre-exploitation state of the Ahuachapan Geothermal Field, El Salvador
- Earth Sciences Div., Lawrence Berkeley Lab., Berkeley, CA (US)
In this paper the lithology and structural features of the Ahuachapan geothermal area and their impact on the movement of cold and hot fluids within the system are described, as well as the development and evaluation of the natural state model of the field. Four major lithologic units are present in Ahuachapan and three major aquifers have been identified; flow patterns and zones of fluid mixing were located on the basis of temperature and geochemical data from wells and surface manifestations. Geologic structures control the heat and fluid recharge and the flow within the reservoir. Modeling studies suggest, in agreement with field data, an overall average transmissivity of 25-35 Darcy-meters, and indicate that the system is recharged by waters with temperatures greater than 250{degrees} C. The total thermal throughflow for the Ahuachapan reservoir in the unexploited state is estimated to be about 250 MW{sub t}.
- OSTI ID:
- 7309597
- Journal Information:
- Geothermics (International Journal of Geothermal Research and its Applications); (United States), Vol. 20:5; ISSN 0375-6505
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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