Services Offered

Technical Assistance

The Geo-Heat Center provides technical analysis for those actively involved in geothermal development. This assistance can be in the area of feasibility at the outset of a project, equipment and materials selection during the design phase or follow-up troubleshooting for operational systems. Geothermal projects involving direct and heat pump space heating, industrial processes, and low-temperature wellhead electric power generation, will be allocated a limited number of man-hours for analysis (based on merit).

Resource Information

Tours

The Geo-Heat Center will arrange for individual or group tours of the Klamath Falls district heating system, Oregon Institute of Technology campus heating/cooling system, residential and local greenhouse applications.

Brief Description of the Utilization of Geothermal Energy in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Klamath Falls, Oregon, is located on a Known Geothermal Resource Area, which has been used by residents primarily for space heating since the turn of the century. At present, there are over 550 geothermal wells serving a wide variety of uses. This utilization includes the heating of homes, schools, businesses, swimming pools and snow melt systems for side walks and a section of highway pavement. Most of the eastern portion of the city is heated by geothermal energy. The principal heat extraction system is the closed loop downhole heat exchanger utilizing city water in the heat exchangers. The City Geothermal District heating system, completed in 1982, was a natural extension of this development. Construction funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, State of Oregon and City of Klamath Falls.

The system utilizes two wells located east of downtown to supply geothermal water at approximately 99°C (210°F). This water is piped approximately 1,200 m (4,000 ft) to the central mechanical room located at the County Museum. At this point, the heat in the geothermal water is transferred to a closed loop of treated water for delivery to the system's customers. Hot water is delivered to the customer at approximately 82°C (180°F) and returns to the mechanical room at 60°C (140°F). This is enough to supply 700 average size homes.

All of the geothermal fluid is delivered to the injection well after it passes though the system. This allows the water to be "recycled" through the geothermal aquifer.

Brief Description of the Oregon Institute of Technology System

The Oregon Institute of technology campus has been heated by the direct use of geothermal energy since 1964. Three geothermal wells drilled during the original campus construction vary from 396 m ( 1,300 ft) to 549 m (1,800 ft). These wells supply all of the heating needs of the eleven building 60,400 m² (650,000 ft²) campus. The combined capacity of the well pumps is 3,700 L/min (980 gpm) of 89°C (192°F) water. All are equipped with variable speed drives to modulate flow to campus needs. The actual flow rate for heating is dependent upon outside temperature. Swimming pool and domestic hot water heating impose a small but relatively constant year-round flow requirement.

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