Papers by Esther Nyambura Njuguna
Alternative applications of geothermal energy, also known as direct use have over the years gaine... more Alternative applications of geothermal energy, also known as direct use have over the years gained popularity globally. One of the major applications is drying where geothermal heat is used to raise temperatures in the environment of a product with an aim of reducing their moisture content. Different types of dryers are designed to utilize geothermal energy depending on the product to be dried. In order to maintain a quality product after drying, a good dryer design with optimal drying parameters must be emphasized. Different geothermal dryers have been constructed and used in different countries to dry different agricultural products. Among these countries is Kenya whose first geothermal dryer was constructed during the colonial times in the as a community project, and has since been used in small scale to dry pyrethrum and maize in the Eburru geothermal region. Kenya has recently registered a new milestone after Geothermal Development Company (GDC) installed a modern semi-commerci...
Direct application of geothermal energy has continuously gained popularity due to its economic, e... more Direct application of geothermal energy has continuously gained popularity due to its economic, environmental and energy efficiency benefits. Its applications vary widely from agricultural applications, crop drying, space heating and industrial processes. While geothermal direct use application systems are expensive to install, the running costs are very low, hence making the technology viable and more reliable. Kenya looks forward to achieving its Vision 2030 in about a decade. This envisaged industrialization will demand clean, reliable, sufficient and affordable energy. Over the years, Kenya has utilized geothermal energy for electricity generation with little effort in direct applications. However, a few direct use applications exist with a health spa in Olkaria and Bogoria, crop dryers at Eburru, green house heating at Oserian and water harvesting both at Eburru and Suswa. Menengai is one of the Kenyan geothermal prospects. In 2015, a Direct Use Demonstration Project was launched and is being used to showcase modern direct applications of geothermal energy. In this paper we review some of the experiences of the Geothermal Development Company of Kenya in its efforts to tap and develop the geothermal resource in the country.
In this report, a 1,000 m 2 geothermal spa alongside a 100 m 2 children's pool is designed to uti... more In this report, a 1,000 m 2 geothermal spa alongside a 100 m 2 children's pool is designed to utilise the fluids from Menengai well 07. Cooling is done by using the heat in the geothermal fluid to vaporize a working fluid for a small binary power plant capable of generating 546 kW of electricity. The design characteristics, financial viability and the marketing elements of the spa are assessed. In Kenya, direct use of geothermal energy is gaining popularity and construction of geothermal spas is one way of making the resource, which is abundant along its rift, beneficial. A spa in the Menengai geothermal field would, therefore, raise the standards of tourism in the country and have a positive influence on the general health and wellbeing of the population due to its numerous benefits on the human body, mind and skin.
Alternative applications of geothermal energy, also known as direct use have over the years gaine... more Alternative applications of geothermal energy, also known as direct use have over the years gained popularity globally. One of the major applications is drying where geothermal heat is used to raise temperatures in the environment of a product with an aim of reducing their moisture content. Different types of dryers are designed to utilize geothermal energy depending on the product to be dried. In order to maintain a quality product after drying, a good dryer design with optimal drying parameters must be emphasized. Different geothermal dryers have been constructed and used in different countries to dry different agricultural products. Among these countries is Kenya whose first geothermal dryer was constructed during the colonial times in the as a community project, and has since been used in small scale to dry pyrethrum and maize in the Eburru geothermal region. Kenya has recently registered a new milestone after Geothermal Development Company (GDC) installed a modern semi-commercial batch geothermal grain dryer at the Menengai Geothermal Field. This paper explores the various types of geothermal grain dryers, their design, technical parameters and operational costs in comparison with the new grain dryer in Menengai with an aim to establish an optimal design and size of a grain dryer.
Geothermal energy, heat from the interior of the Earth, has been utilized by mankind since time m... more Geothermal energy, heat from the interior of the Earth, has been utilized by mankind since time memorial, with hot springs and hot pools being used for bathing, health treatment, cooking and heating. The resource has also been used for producing salts from brine. In Iceland, natural hot springs have been used for bathing for a long time, but since early the last century, outdoor swimming pools have gained popularity, and are today part of daily life of a large population in many parts of the world where geothermal resources exist. In Kenya, the use of hot springs is limited to only two facilities; the natural Lake Bogoria Spa, and a geothermal spa recently constructed in Olkaria by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) utilizing brine tapped from a reinjection line. In 2015, a Direct Use Demonstration Project was launched in the Menengai Geothermal Field by Geothermal Development Company, GDC, and is being used to showcase modern direct applications of geothermal energy. GDC is exploring the possibility of setting up a geothermal spa in the same field to enhance direct utilisation of geothermal energy and also add value to the tourism industry in the Menengai Geothermal Prospect. This paper, on a feasibility study, assesses suitable size, quality, capacity and cost, and has come up with a schedule for its construction while ensuring international quality requirements.
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Papers by Esther Nyambura Njuguna