DMRC studies geothermal energy options
The Sudbury-based Deep Mining Research Consortium (DMRC) has commissioned a study to investigate the application of geothermal energy technologies to cool deep mine workings and use the heat from underground to produce energy, heat surface buildings and possibly grow vegetables in greenhouses.
Mory Ghomshei, states that at 10, 000 feet, the rock temperature might reach in excess of 55 degrees Celcius. Mory explains that because cooling is extremely expensive and large mines require much of it, by bringing the heat to the surface (where it is required), “you’re killing two birds with one shot”. Ghomshei is proposing the use of heat pumps and water-to-air heat exchangers at depth to chill mine workings.
In addition, Ghomshei is looking at the possibility of using geothermal energy from decommissioned mines for district heating. There are three requirements for bringing geothermal energy to surface: water, heat and permeability, he explained. A decommissioned mine with flooded mine workings has all three. The water circulates in the rock, absorbs heat and is then pumped to surface. The technology has been successfully demonstrated in Spring Hill, Nova Scotia, where geothermal energy from a decommissioned coal mine is used to heat an industrial park
Ghomshei is currently working on a feasibility study for the city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories to produce up to 10 megawatts of heat from the Con Mine, a gold mine within city limits that was decommissioned in 2000.
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http://www.sudburyminingsolutions.com/dmrc-studies-geothermal-energy-options.html