Study theorizes use of geothermal sources for energy in refineries

Geothermal sources for direct heating can theoretically serve as an alternative source of high-temperature heat in processing plants. Cutting CO2 emissions from a refinery requires reducing the amount of fuel burned. Heat obtained from geothermal energy is more efficiently used for directly powering petrochemical and refining processes rather than for electricity generation. If refinery waste water is injected, then the subsurface geothermal heat exchanger fracture network is more efficient. Recently, a study proposed using EOR flooding water to generate electrical power. The process is still relatively inefficient. It is more efficient to use this water directly to power chemical conversion processes because this can reduce fuel burned. The simplest way to mine geothermal energy is to produce hot formation water from deep water-bearing layers. There are therefore too many uncertainties to make a clear-cut basis for applying geothermal heat for refinery power. Oil prices would have to be stable at higher prices to justify wholesale refinery plant modifications.