The Ecological Aspects of Using Geothermal Waters under Arid Climate Conditions

Abstract—This article analyzes the problems of inappropriate discharges of geothermal waste waters to open ground and surface water bodies, as well as problems of the release of associated combustible gases with geothermal water into the open atmosphere as a result of flaring. An assessment and possible ways of technical prevention of environmental pollution due to the use of geothermal waters in arid regions are given. Schematic solutions for the operation of geothermal systems in the regime without scaling under conditions of the utilization of the associated combustible gas (methane) are presented. It is shown that the addition of carbon dioxide to the geothermal waste water that was reinjected into the aquifer provides the longevity of the injection wells.