Water Geothermometer Application for Geothermal

Development Prospect Analysis around Bandung Basin

Cipto Purnandi2 *, Irwan Iskandar1, and Sudarto Notosiswoyo1
1

Lecturer at Mining Engineering Department, Institut Teknologi Bandung

Student of Groundwater Engineering Magister Program, Institut Teknologi Bandung

ABSTRACT
Geothermal is a kind of non-fossil energy that can be used as
alternative energy, it is relatively safe to environment because it does
not produce emission to atmosphere. Geothermal energy considered
as renewable because it is related to hydrological cycle. Geothermal
explorations for new energy source are needed for developing new
power plants.
One method for geothermal exploration is by using chemical
geothermometer. This method is done by analyzing chemical content
of hot springs such as: Na, K, Ca, and Li using certain formulas. The
output of geothermometer analysis is to estimated temperature of
reservoir. After knowing the temperature, we can make classification
of geothermal system based on reservoir temperature.
This research will focus on Bandung Basin, which is famous of its
geothermal potency. Bandung Basin is surrounded by Quartenary
volcanic ridge. In this condition, hot springs are found in many

places. 10 hot spring samples are taken in order to estimate its

reservoir temperature. The output of this research is expected to aid
the development of geothermal energy around Bandung Basin. From
this research concludes that Bandung Basin is potential for
developing new geothermal power plant.
Keywords: geothermal, hydrochemistry, geothermometer

I. INTRODUCTION

ANDUNG Basin is surrounded by Quartenary

volcanic Ridge. This location has many hot springs
because of geothermal system below ground surface.
To know about its potential, geothermal exploration needs to
be done. In this research, method for geothermal exploration is
by calculating geothermometer using data of hot springs
chemical content.

FIGURE 1
SAMPLING LOCATION AND GEOLOGICAL MAP OF RESEARCH AREA

II. DATA

Ciwalini

HS-02-WAL

Data for this research is taken from 10 hot spring samples

around Bandung Basin, 4 samples from northern ridge and 6
samples from southern ridge (Figure 1). These samples was
analyzed on laboratory to determine its chemical contents (Na,
K, Ca, and Li), presented on Table 1.

Maribaya

HS-03-MBY

Domas
Lembang Asri
Jalan Raya Subang
Tirta Bidadari
MBA
Rusa
Cibolang

HS-04-DMS
HS-05-LBA
HS-06-JRS
HS-07-TBI
HS-08-MBA
HS-09-RSA
HS-10-CBL

TABLE 1
LIST OF SAMPLES
Location
Kamojang

Sample
Code
HS-01-KMJ

Na
(ppm)
5.36

K
(ppm
)
1.73

Ca
(ppm)
19.40

Li
(ppm
)
<0.05

65.50
110.0
0
25.30
59.90
33.50
56.70
4.02
73.80
60.60

20.20
25.00
14.40
39.10
18.00
26.40
2.15
22.30
24.00

34.70
134.0
0
44.90
5.64
3.33
80.60
21.30
40.60
60.50

0.09
0.12
0.02
<0.05
<0.05
0.01
0.00
0.06
0.06

III. METHODOLOGY
To estimate the temperature of reservoir, some formula will

be used:
Na-K Geothermometer
O

t C=

1217

273.15 [1]
Na
1.438+log ( )
K
1390
O
t C=
273.15 [2]
Na
1.75+log ( )
K
856
O
t C=
273.15 [3]
Na
0.857+ log (
)
K

(1)

(2)

(3)

Na-K-Ca Geothermometer

1647

t C=

( )

Na
Ca +2.24
log
+ log
K
Na

( )

273.15

[4]

(4)

Na-Li Geothermometer

t O C=

1590

273.15 [5]
Na
0.779+ log ( )
Li
1267
t O C=
273.15 [6]
Na
0.07+ log (
)
K
1195
t O C=
273.15 [7]
Na
0.13+ log (
)
K

(5)

(6)

(7)

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Based on these formulas the data from Table 1 will be
calculated to estimate the temperature of reservoir (Table 2).
The result will be presented by using graph and classified into
3 classes: Low Temperature (<150OC), Medium Temperature
(150-200OC), and High Temperature (>200OC)[8].

Method
Na-K (Fournier, 1979)
Na-K (Truesdell, 1976)
Na-K (Giggenbach et al., 1988)
Na-K-Ca (Fournier and Potter, 1978)
Na-Li (Kharaka et al., 1982)
Na-Li (Verma and Santoya, 1997)
Na-Li (Fouillac et al., 1981)
Average

HS-01KMJ
258.61
361.81
261.33
336.24
292.85
330.13
280.04
303.00

TABLE 2
GEOTHERMOMETER CALCULATION RESULT
Estimated Reservoir Temperature (OC)
HS-02- HS-03- HS-04- HS-05- HS-06- HS-07WAL
MBY
DMS
LBA
JRS
TBI
87.87
67.91
127.60
81.28
113.22
89.31
352.63
297.34
503.79
548.15
486.54
446.80
104.26
85.07
141.93
97.95
128.37
105.64
412.47
370.84
425.68
457.39
414.36
441.33
163.43
151.85
136.53
139.04
167.89
83.88
158.84
144.70
126.27
129.27
164.34
65.22
126.12
113.30
96.58
99.30
131.10
40.96
200.80
175.86
222.62
221.77
229.41
181.88

HS-08MBA
273.01
485.19
274.03
377.09
116.35
102.46
74.92
243.29

HS-09RSA
82.62
348.60
99.23
411.63
133.84
123.07
93.67
184.67

HS-10CBL
88.47
406.61
104.84
429.18
149.48
141.83
110.71
204.45

FIGURE 2
GEOTHERMOMETER CALCULATION REPRESENTATION AS GRAPH

Based on Figure 2, the average estimated temperature of

reservoir around Bandung Basin can be classified as Medium
to High Temperature, but mostly High Temperature. Based on
Geological Map (Figure 1), all of the samples are located on
quartenary volcanic formation. It is highly possible that there
are geothermal sources beneath the surface of those
formations. Furthermore, some volcanoes are still active
around this area. Based on these analysis, Bandung Basin area
can be classified as potential geothermal energy source.

[2]
[3]

[4]
[5]

V. CONCLUSION
Area around Bandung Basin has potential of geothermal
sources. Further explorations need to be done to ensure its
prospects for new power plant development.

[6]
[7]

VI. REFERENCES
[1] Robert O. Fournier. 1979. Geochemical And Hydrologic Considerations
And The Use Of Enthalpy-Chloride Diagrams In The Prediction Of

[8]

Underground Conditions In Hot-Spring Systems. Journal of Volcanology

and Geothermal Research.
Werner F. Giggenbach. 1988. Geothermal Solute Equilibria, Derivation
Of Na-K-Mg-Ca Geoindicators. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.
52(12):27492765
Truesdell, A.H., 1976: Summary of section III geochemical techniques
in exploration. Proceedings of the 2nd U.N. Symposium on the
Development and Use of Geothermal Resources, San Francisco, 1,
liiilxxix
Fournier, R.O., and Potter, R.W.II, 1982. A revised and expanded silica
(quartz) geothermometer. Geoth. Res. Council, Bull., 11-10, 3-12
Kharaka, Y.K., Lico, M.S. and Lax, L.M..1982. Chemical
geothermometers applied to formation waters, Gulf of Mexico and
California basins. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 66, 588
Verma, S.P., Santoyo E.. 1997. New improved equations for Na/K, Na/Li
and SiO2 geothermometers by outlier detection and rejection: Journal of
Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 79(1-2), 9-24
Fouillac, C., and Michard, G.. 1981. Sodium/Lithium ratio in water
applied to geothermometry of geothermal reservoirs. Geothermics, 10,
55-70
Saemundsson, Kristjn. 2009. Geothermal System in Global Perspective.
Short Course IV on Exploration for Geothermal Resource