Environmentally sound utilisation of high salt content thermal water rich in methane in a zero emission closed system

Project ID: HU09-0059-A2-2013

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The project aims the utilisation the thermal water as resource, but, instead of the conventional direct use it is based on the complex system which is more sustainable in environmental and economic sense. Geothermal wells in the Great Plains contain significant amount of natural gas, in our case methane (CH4). This is a greenhouse gas, so it is important to avoid its release to the environment, and the most effective way is to use it in a gas engine to produce electricity. This process is also results in the production of combustion gases having greenhouse effect (primarily CO2, NOX, CO, etc.) but these can effectively be utilised in microalgae production. Consequently, the energy obtained from methane is really “green” i.e. it has no disadvantageous emission.The main outcome of the project is a “unit technology” which, due to its modular set-up, can be multiplied upon request. The project serve a pilot example for the integrated, environment friendly utilisation of thermal water (and the greenhouse gases in it), moreover, the experiences gained can be used in the utilisation of other thermal wells or biogas plants because they are also working on the same principle (CH4 –> gas engine –> CO2 –> waste heat).