Geothermal energy for preheating applications: A comprehensive review

• Main Authors: Alhuyi Nazari M., Kumar R., Mukhtar A., Yasir A.S.H.M., Ahmadi M.H., Al-Bahrani M.
• Other Authors: 57197717697
• Format: Review
• Published: Central South University of Technology 2024
• Subjects: fuel saving; geothermal energy; preheating; thermal power plant; Environmental technology; Fossil fuels; Geothermal energy; Hydrogen production; Preheating; Thermoelectric power plants; Costs development; Environmental fluctuations; Environmental pollutants; Fuel savings; Renewable energy source; Renewable energy technologies; Solar and winds; Sustainable energy supply; Thermal-power plants; Fuel economy

Considering the issues related to the usage of fossil fuels namely the environmental pollutants and fluctuations in their cost, development of renewable energy technologies is necessary and inevitable for sustainable energy supply in future. Geothermal energy is advantageous compared with solar and wind in term of availability in all hours of a day. This renewable energy source is applicable for supplying heating, cooling, freshwater and power in a clean way. Aside from direct utilization of geothermal energy for power generation as the main energy source, it is possible to apply it as auxiliary source for preheating in order to reduce greenhouse emissions and fuel saving. In these systems, thermal content of geothermal energy source is used for steam preheating. Furthermore, geothermal energy could be used in other energy systems like hydrogen production unit for preheating electrolysis water consumed in this process. Regarding the advantages of utilization of geothermal energy for preheating purposes, this paper aims to review studies on the applications of geothermal preheating systems. According to the studies on this subject, it can be denoted that there is significant potential for fuel saving and performance improvement by means of geothermal energy for preheating purpose. The performance of the aforementioned systems depends on some factors namely the configuration of the system, specification of the boreholes and temperature of geothermal source. Further improvement of these system is achievable by implementation of optimization. � 2023, Central South University.