The potential of geothermal energy resources in Aksaray and investigations regarding the usage of geothermal energy in heating systems

Aksaray has a significant potential of geothermal energy resources which have various usage areas like residential and greenhouse heating as it is implemented in Turkey and some other countries when used efficiently. In this study, reservoir rock temperatures of the five geothermal energy resources in Aksaray were estimated by using the geothermometers calculations. Also depending on their thermal water temperatures usability in residential heating was investigated. In order to determine the hydrochemical characteristics of thermal water resources, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity parameters measured in place and, cation and anion analysis conducted in laboratory. The temperatures of geothermal resources varied between the 26 and 72 °C. Their electrical conductivity degrees varied between 472 and 9820 μS/cm. Depending on their ion contents Ilısu drilling Na-Ca-Mg-HCO3, Ihlara drilling Ca-Mg-Na-HCO3, Narlıgöl thermal waters Ca-Na-HCO3, Tuzlusu resources Na-Cl-HCO3 and Ziga drilling Na-Ca-Cl-HCO3 type of water groups. According to the mineral saturation value calculations of thermal water samples we determined that they are saturated calcite and dolomite but gypsum and halite unsaturated. In calculations made with silica geothermometer reservoir rock temperatures were as follows; Ilısu drilling 102-152 °C, Ihlara drilling 100-151 °C, Narlıgöl 98-148 °C, Tuzlusu 41-93 °C and Ziga drilling 48-100°C, respectively. Depending on the results of the analysis it is proved that the temperatures of geothermal energy resources in Aksaray are suitable for the usage in regional residential heating.