Chapter 9, Problem 49A

Dry-rock geothermal power can be a major contributor to power with no pollution. The bottom of a hole drilled down into Earth’s interior is fractured, making a large-surfaced hot cavity. Water is introduced from the top by a second hole. Superheated water rising to the surface then drives a conventional turbine to produce electricity. What is the source of this energy?

To determine

The source of energy for the given process.

Answer to Problem 49A

The source of energy is Geothermal Energy.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy. This energy can be harvested using the steam produced due to melting rocks in the Earth’s interior.

A hole is drilled in the Earth’s interior and then it is fractured. This creates a large-surface hot cavity. Rocks present in the Earth’s interior melts due to the mantle layer beneath it, which creates a plastic layer. Due to this, water introduced in the second hole to the melted rocks converts water into steam. This steam now moves upward through pipes into the power plant and drives a turbine thus generating electricity.

Conclusion:

Thus, the source of this energy is geothermal energy which is a renewable source of energy.