| Title | Thailand Geothermal Energy: Development History and Current Status |
|---|---|
| Authors | Manop Raksaskulwong |
| Year | 2008 |
| Conference | Asian Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | Thailand, geothermal energy, multipurpose utilization, health spa, therapy |
| Abstract | Geothermal in Thailand, manifest as hot springs, have been collected for chemical and physical analysis studies since 1946. There are 116 hot spring manifestations in northern, western, central and southern Thailand. Hot springs are of nonvolcanic origin as inferred from isotopic relationship between äD and ä18O. Hot springs, surface temperatures range 40-100 °C, is clear, colorless with white algae, white-yellow and red scar of calcium carbonate, sulphur and iron disseminate on soil and rocks. Chemical analysis discloses that hot springs yield pH 6.4-9.5, total dissolve solid 130-24,800 ppm, alkalinity of bicarbonate 47-1,079 ppm and fluoride 0.055-20.4 ppm. Nine hot spring areas are saline. Geothermometer calculation using silica, calcium and potassium contents denotes subsurface temperature of the five highest reservoir temperature ranges 180-210 °C. Geothermal energy utilization has been classified as for electricity generation and direct uses. Power plant with capacity of 300 kW, applied binary cycle, was completed in 1988. Geothermal direct-use is categorized mainly as for bathing, swimming and spa where natural hot spring discharges are piped to the storage tank or flow naturally down stream. Most of direct uses have been developed by government sector except at the San Kamphaeng, Chiangmai province and Tapotharam temple hot spring, Ranong province partly developed by private sector. Total capacity of direct utilization in southern Thailand is estimated to be 10.12 MWt with an annual utilization of 173.05 TJ. Future geothermal utilization should be set a master plan for multi-purposes as electricity and direct-uses. High potential geothermal field utilization has to conduct and plan for electricity and direct utilization in agricultural, medical and health spa. |