THERMODYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF NATURAL STEAMS AND HYDROTHERMAL STRUCTURE OF BEPPU GEOTHERMAL AREA

Abstract

Thermodynamical properties are measured of the natural steams from Beppu Geothermal Area. It becomes clear that the most part of the natural steams are thermodynamically wet saturated ones, even if they are apparently dry. Then, assuming that a large number of the steam wells eject the secondary steam coming from the thermal water which is boiling in the ground, we calculate the boiling temperature, the depth of boiling and the statical head of the thermal water layer. Geographical and vertical distributions of these factors are very complicated. This complexity may suggest the existence of multiple thermal water layers in the narrow hydrothermal region.