05-19-2008, 01:21 AM
It's worthwhile to Google "geothermal sulphur" "Iceland geothermal" and simply "geothermal". There is a lot of information out there.
I am certainly no authority, but from what I can gather, sulphur is ubiquitous in all geothermal energy processes, from Iceland to California, Italy and elsewhere. Sulphur is a known problem with geothermal energy, and processes to deal with it (sulphur) must be a part of the package. There are problems inherent in any alternative energy, the question is how to mitigate those problems.
I don't know where you got the idea that Puna steam is "dirtier" than any other geothermal steam, jerry. Can you back that up with some documentation? Here are some concentrations for Icelandic H2S, S2O3 and SO4. "H2S, S2O3 and SO4 are found to be the dominant forms of sulfur with concentrations up to 73, 22 and 5060 mg/L, respectively, and H2S:S2O3:SO4 molar ratios between 0:0:1 to 1.2:0.7:1" The drinking water in Reykjavic tastes sulphurous, according to another website.
And, for Damon, the fabulous forests of Puna are indeed a natural wonder. The challenge is to find out how to extract geothermal energy to benefit Hawaiian society (many Icelanders get free hot water and subsidized electricity) with the least impact to the forest and it's inhabitants, IMHO. To simply declare the huge source of energy "off limits" is irresponsible, or at the very least, wasteful and impractical, in these times. I believe we should be looking for alternatives to burning carbon, whether it's coal, natural gas, or petroleum.
NIMBY's don't want renewable energy sources such as wind farms (see Sen. Ted Kennedy's opposition to the proposed farm off the Martha's Vineyard coastline), hydroelectric (see opposition from environmental activists to dam construction around the globe), nuclear power (same), and now, geothermal energy (see Damon's posts, above). What is the alternative to fossil fuels if wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, and geothermal are all declared unacceptable by the locals? How are we ever going to do anything about global warming if nobody wants some new project constructed in their backyard?
Aloha! ;-)
I am certainly no authority, but from what I can gather, sulphur is ubiquitous in all geothermal energy processes, from Iceland to California, Italy and elsewhere. Sulphur is a known problem with geothermal energy, and processes to deal with it (sulphur) must be a part of the package. There are problems inherent in any alternative energy, the question is how to mitigate those problems.
I don't know where you got the idea that Puna steam is "dirtier" than any other geothermal steam, jerry. Can you back that up with some documentation? Here are some concentrations for Icelandic H2S, S2O3 and SO4. "H2S, S2O3 and SO4 are found to be the dominant forms of sulfur with concentrations up to 73, 22 and 5060 mg/L, respectively, and H2S:S2O3:SO4 molar ratios between 0:0:1 to 1.2:0.7:1" The drinking water in Reykjavic tastes sulphurous, according to another website.
And, for Damon, the fabulous forests of Puna are indeed a natural wonder. The challenge is to find out how to extract geothermal energy to benefit Hawaiian society (many Icelanders get free hot water and subsidized electricity) with the least impact to the forest and it's inhabitants, IMHO. To simply declare the huge source of energy "off limits" is irresponsible, or at the very least, wasteful and impractical, in these times. I believe we should be looking for alternatives to burning carbon, whether it's coal, natural gas, or petroleum.
NIMBY's don't want renewable energy sources such as wind farms (see Sen. Ted Kennedy's opposition to the proposed farm off the Martha's Vineyard coastline), hydroelectric (see opposition from environmental activists to dam construction around the globe), nuclear power (same), and now, geothermal energy (see Damon's posts, above). What is the alternative to fossil fuels if wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, and geothermal are all declared unacceptable by the locals? How are we ever going to do anything about global warming if nobody wants some new project constructed in their backyard?
Aloha! ;-)
Aloha! ;-)