We have initiated a program for developing and field testing fiber-optics-based sensors to monitor in situ physical and chemical parameters in highly corrosive environments, such as geothermal wells, oil wells, and hot-water boiler reactors. Inability to sample hot geothermal wells or to measure the chemical composition of hot brines limits our understanding of in situ conditions in geothermal fields. In this communication, we report preliminary results obtained with a temperature optrode to profile the temperature in a geothermal steam well. To our best knowledge, this is the first time in situ geothermal well measurements have been made with the use of a fiber-optic sensor.
LamersM. D., Measurement Requirements and Methods for Geothermal Reservoir System Parameters (an Appraisal), Technical Report LBL-9090/GREMP-61UC-66b (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, California, 1979).
2.
HaugenG., and HirschfeldT., Fiber Optics Temperature and Pressure Probe, UCID-20563, (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, 1985).
3.
HaugenG., Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, personal communication.
4.
AngelS. M., 1986Pittsburgh Conference and Exposition, Atlantic City, New Jersey (1986), Paper No. 673.
5.
AngelS. M., Geothermal Resources Council, Transactions11, 155 (1987).
6.
AngelS. M. and HirschfeldT., “Dual-Emission Rare-Earth Temperature Optrode,” manuscript in preparation.
7.
NakanoD., Division of Water and Land Development, Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Honolulu, Hawaii, personal communication.
8.
EppD., and HalunenA. J.Jr., “Temperature Profiles in Wells on the Island of Hawaii,” in Geothermal Resources Exploration in Hawaii: Series No. 7 (Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, 1979).
9.
ThomasD., “A Geochemical Model of the Kilauea East Rift Zone,” in Volcanism in Hawaii, USGS Professional Paper (United States Geological Survey, 1987), Vol. II, pp. 1507–1525.
