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Geothermal energy prediction technique - Page 1

Report on

GEOTHERMAL IMPLICATIONS

IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

GRESHAM R. T. CLACY, GEOPHYSICIST

Southampton project: http://www.bbm.me.uk/portsdown/PH_450_Energy.htm

Synopsis:

The Southampton project is pulling up water at a temperature of around 70 degrees C.

Clacy contends that this is water which has travelled a number of miles sideways from the high temperature source whose location is currently unknown. Clacy believes that there are several UK sources of very high temperature magma at over 1000 degrees C. Clacy's recording equipment is able to detect these sources. Obviously the energy available from such a high temperature source would be far higher than that provided by the Southampton project and the likely rewards would be accordingly higher.

INTRODUCTION

The possibility of a deep Geothermal Aquifer supplying sufficient energy for the production of Electrical Energy is within our grasp. This report outlines from observation of present data, in conjunction with other areas in the world that Clacy has surveyed for Geothermal prospects. With this background of information, from practical field studies, the maps depicted in (Figs 2,3,6) coupled with information from several hot springs and their chemical analysis, outline areas for determining possible underground aquifers. These indicators follow a similar pattern to some other Geothermal fields worldwide.

Fig2 Click to enlarge
Fig3 Click to enlarge
Fig4 Click to enlarge

DISCUSSION OF AREAS OF INTEREST TO DATE

I gave much thought to the areas of interest in the seismic presentations from the B.G.S. maps. The "aseismic" areas depicted in them attracted my attention. The earthquakes occurring in clusters along and around the grabens and sink holes depicted in figures 2 and 6, lead me to suspect that lying deep in these fairly impermeable grabens or holes there are geothermal aquifers - Figure 5 section B.

Fig2 Click to enlarge
Fig5 Click to enlarge
Fig1 Click to enlarge

I shall try to explain a few of my thoughts on this matter, which to me are extremely important. I surmise that the fractures surrounding the "aseismic" anomaly are tilted upwards from the aquifer - (Fig 5) in the A section.These have the capacity to carry the heated water up to the surface. This allows us to surmise that a mechanism exists to support these hot springs. It also shows we have some good evidence to start the search for the seismic signature that will give a fairly convincing evidence for the mechanism that is producing fluids under pressure. The seismicity produced from the intrusive magmas should produce seismic signatures similar to the ones that are found on active volcanoes. A list of these seismic signatures have been copied in (figure 7). From this information we can hope to outline drilling targets.

Fig5 Click to enlarge
Fig7 Click to enlarge

The area ( figure 5 section C), where the fractures are all tilting downwards from the graben and aquifer, would tend not to carry the hot aquifer fluids to the surface. Both Section A and C are capable of tectonic earthquakes, whereas in section B the seismic signature of the intruding magmas should be recordable on the surface. The listening techniques developed by Clacy can be studied for volcanic activity as it was in New Zealand (figure 7) copied from Clacy's original paper on volcanic prediction in the 1960's and recently reassessed in the Internet. < http://www.glodark.com/volcanic prediction.htm>

It is well to remember that water on the bottom of the hole can, because of the air pressure, exist at a temperature of many hundreds of degrees-up to the flash point pressure. This I observed in Mexicali Mexico, where water existed at 600šC. This water can be recovered as steam if encouraged to rise up to a lower pressure level. The technique has been used on several geothermal areas in the world. This process involved sealing the well head and blowing in compressed air, then knocking a sealing chock free, which is retaining the compressed air.This causes the water to follow the vacating air up the bore hole to where a lower pressure exists, where the steam is then produced.This is no problem in a fully cased bore hole. It is wise to put a small pipe down to the bottom of the bore hole, to provide a small amount of water, in case the need arises to quench the then producing well.

Imagine that the "aseismic" area was a graben at one time which filled up with eroding sediments or whatever. There is the possibility of having a hot water aquifer within this graben contained, as in my original paper*, with the boot diagram at the end of my paper being buried much deeper than for the Wairakei region in New Zealand. (paper available on Internet at * <http://www.glodark.com/volcanic_prediction.htm> This original paper is in the Addenda of this work number 4).

This type of deeper system (Fig 5) has a lot going for it; for example, it offers a better containment with a modicum of insulation and not too shallow to cause surface dangers. This theory does not require only an enclosed graben. It can occur in a large collapsed hole produced by removal of magmas to the surface, during an eruption, and the vacated area collapsing, as for a graben. These vacated areas often occur within the vicinity of surface volcanoes. These volcanoes themselves can be dormant on the surface, but contain magmas at depth, penetrating the area filled with loose material from erosion. These can be alongside zones of high seismicity. Tectonic earthquakes appear to be caused by large solid blocks of material colliding. However, it is important to realise that a graben area filled with sedimentary material cannot support a tectonic type earthquake, whereas volcanic shocks appear to be caused by magmas in bursts of tremor, (not the slippage of solid blocks), and usually only when encountering water and soft materials. Magmas can be traced and their flowing movement underground can even be plotted.

Fig5 Click to enlarge
Fig6 Click to enlarge

I am suggesting that recording in the areas outlined in (figure 6) could be very rewarding, assuming we can locate the vulcanicity at depth in conjunction with the geological implications of the indicated areas. A tape recorder is undergoing modification to enable this project to get off the ground as soon as possible. Funding will now be required for the carrying out of a thorough investigation of the outlined proposal.

Gresham R.T.Clacy. Geophysicist.

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Copyright ©2007 SatCure & GRT Clacy
Updated June 5, 2007
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