| Title | Geothermal Energy Development and Utilization in Tianjin Tanggu, People's Republic of China |
|---|---|
| Authors | Cao Jinrong, Dong Zhilin, Cai Jianxin |
| Year | 2002 |
| Conference | Beijing International Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | Geothermal; Space heating; Geothermal reinjection; Direct use |
| Abstract | Tanggu geothermal field in Tianjin is situated in the east part of the North-China Plains, near the Bohai Bay. It covers an area of about 900 km2. Tanggu is 45 km to Tianjin, and 160 km to Beijing. Tanggu is an important international trade and harbor city in North China. It is quite rich in natural resources, including land and offshore oil and natural gas, sea salt, and geothermal energy. The 77km coastal line is good for fish-farming. Ocean fishing is also a good business. Tanggu District is rich with medium-low-temperature geothermal energy. There have been 31 geothermal wells drilled for production since 1987. The yearly production of geothermal water in this area is about 5 M m3/a. Most of the geothermal energy is used for space heating, and the geothermal heated area has reached to 0.9 M m2, the largest in China. In addition, the geothermal water is also used for fish-farming, greenhouse, domestic hot water, swimming pools, mineral water production et al. About 150 office buildings, schools, kindergartens have been using geothermal water in daily life. The geothermal water user population has reached to 0.18 million in the area. Air pollution caused by coal-buring has been greatly reduced due to the introduction of geothermal energy. The geothermal development and utilization level in the area is the highest in China. In order to utilize the geothermal energy more reasonably and scientifically, it is very important to make some geological survey. And reservoir evaluation is needed to make the resources clear. Tianjin Geothermal Exploration and Development Designing Institute was invited to take this job. After a few years survey, the Tianjin Tanggu Geothermal Resources Survey Report was finished in 1990. Great benefit is achieved for air quality improvement due to geothermal development. 581 small coal-burning boilers were stopped. 526 chimneys were pull down. 40,000 tons of coal consumption is reduced each year. 835 tons of carbon monoxide, 620 ton of sulfur dioxide, and 147 tons of nitrogen oxide emission to the air is reduced each year. Thus, the black smoke and bad air pollution in the city is considerably reduced. |