Analysis of the Geothermal Energy Utilization of Mine Water from Rožná I Mine, Czech Republic

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis focused on the possibility of using geothermal energy from the Rožná I Uranium Mine through mine water as a heat source. The Rožná I Uranium Mine makes part of the Rožná deposit, whose rock mass cannot be considered homogeneous in terms of geothermal energy utilization, but heterogeneous, where there are positive and negative influences, the so-called geo-factors of geothermal energy utilization. The possibility of geothermal energy exploitation was assessed based on available materials and background information. The main parameters are the thermal conductivity coefficients of the rock mass, the ground heat flux of the area, the geothermal degree or its inverse value, the geothermal gradient. The exploitability of the geothermal potential of the mine water was determined using several calculations. This availability was assessed both in terms of the maximum achievable thermal output in combination with a heat pump and the long-term sustainability of this output.