Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Potential Use of Abandoned Underground Coal Mine AS-029 as a Reservoir for Ground Source Heat Pumps, Athens, OH

Madera-Martorell, Andreana

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) have been used for heating and cooling applications in areas where the thermal gradients are normal. Unlike conventional heating and cooling systems, ground source heat pumps rely on ground or underground water temperature which is more constant than air temperature. Abandoned underground coal mines (AUMs) have been used as heat exchangers for ground source heat pumps in countries such as Nova Scotia, the Netherlands and states like Pennsylvania. Ohio has around 147 abandoned underground mines located close to towns and with sufficient water and heat available in the groundwater for heat exchange using ground source heat pumps. This project characterizes the potential of the AUM AS-029 located in Athens, Ohio, as a reservoir for GSHP technology in Ohio University or The Plains. Monitoring of the hydraulic and thermal response of groundwater wells around the mine was performed and a hydrogeological model was constructed in Visual MODFLOW to better understand the flow of water through the mine. Additionally, a thermal model of the mine was created considering the overburden thickness of the mine. Three monitoring wells were studied, one to the north of the mine and 2 to the South in The City of Athens well field in the Hocking River valley. Groundwater in the 4 wells respond to precipitation and changes in ambient temperature with a higher response in the wells with lower depth. One of the City of Athens wells, A10, has an unusual response with a high conductivity due to a nearby underground salt deposit. Ground water modeling and modeling of the heat absorbed by the mine shows that mine AS-029 can be used to receive heat, it cannot be used to give heat due to the low temperature of the groundwater in this area. The volume of water that circulates through the mine is not easily exchanged since only 0.03% is exchanged every day and it takes 2,900 days to substitute 100% of the water within the mine. For a change in temperature in the mine water of 10 C, 0.23 MW of heat could be absorbed. The mine could theoretically provide 2.43% of Ohio University’s heating/cooling system with this increase in temperature. In conclusion, mine AS-029 may serve as a geothermal reservoir for buildings for a small number of buildings at Ohio University or for Athens High School in The Plains.
Dina López, Dr. (Advisor)
Natalie Kruse Daniels, Dr. (Committee Member)
Daniel Che, Dr. (Committee Member)
132 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Madera-Martorell, A. (2020). Potential Use of Abandoned Underground Coal Mine AS-029 as a Reservoir for Ground Source Heat Pumps, Athens, OH [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597189919105252

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Madera-Martorell, Andreana. Potential Use of Abandoned Underground Coal Mine AS-029 as a Reservoir for Ground Source Heat Pumps, Athens, OH. 2020. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597189919105252.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Madera-Martorell, Andreana. "Potential Use of Abandoned Underground Coal Mine AS-029 as a Reservoir for Ground Source Heat Pumps, Athens, OH." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597189919105252

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)