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Geothermal - Coggle Diagram
Geothermal
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Source
The radioactive decay of isotopes of thorium, uranium and potassium in the Earth’s mantle releases heat.
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This heat can be used for space heating, hot water or for electricity generation.
Harnessing
Low temperature schemes
Geothermal Springs: Groundwater that has been heated by hot rocks underground may come to the surface in hot springs. - Can be used for district heating
Geothermal aquifers: Hot groundwater may be pumped to the surface from underground aquifers to be used in district heating schemes.
High temperature schemes
Geothermal steam systems: Groundwater at very high temperatures may be brought up to the surface using an extraction borehole, producing high temperature steam at the surface that can be used to generate electricity.
Hot dry rock systems: If there is hot rocks near the surface but no groundwater is present. Two boreholes may be used. Water is injected through one hole and steam is recovered from in the other hole.
New Technology
Low temperature fluid
Turbines are being developed which use fluids which have lower temperatures. Water as cool as 60℃ can be used to boil butane or pentane.
This would allow areas with lower temperature rocks to produce electricity including some areas in the U.K.