| Title | Utilisation of Geothermal Resources of West Coast, India |
|---|---|
| Authors | Prafulla B. SAROLKAR |
| Year | 2016 |
| Conference | Stanford Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Ganeshpuri, Tural, west coast, hot springs, India |
| Abstract | West Coast of India hosts a series of hot springs along a nearly 300 km long stretch parallel to the coast, Koknere in north and Rajapur in south delimit this hot spring belt. Hot water of 42°C at surface is discharged at Rajapur and 71°C at Unhavre (Khed). The discharge of these hot springs varies from 30 lpm at Sativli to 800 lpm at Unhavre (Khed) / Aravali water. The hot water from these springs show sodium bicarbonate- sulphate type water. Chloride content of hot water varies from 25 ppm at Rajapur, 340 ppm at Tural to 1060 ppm in Unhavre (Khed); SO4 content varies from 100 ppm at Tural to 192 ppm at Sativli; HCO3 from 47ppm at Tural to 213 ppm at Rajapur; sodium 87 ppm at Rajapur to 500 ppm at Unhavre (Khed). SiO2 varies from 20 ppm to 88 ppm at Unhavre (Khed). Na/K geothermometer indicates reservoir temperature of these springs from 113°C at Rajawadi to 170°C at Tural. (Khed). Fluorine content varies from 1.3 to 1.9 ppm in these springs. Chemical composition of these springs suggests that the thermal water from Tural, Ganeshpuri and Unhavre (Khed) show more affinity to geothermal water. The demand for electricity in Maharashtra State is continuously increasing. Similarly, the increasing industrial activity requires additional cold storage facility, green house cultivation and easy energy substitute. The availability of geothermal resource at West Coast can be utilized for site specific energy production and substitution. The water quality, indicated reservoir temperatures and local conditions suggest that the hot springs at Unhavre (Khed), Tural and Ganeshpuri may be utilized for power generation as well as direct heat uses. |