Radiotracer techniques for geothermal power development

This paper describes the radioactive tracer techniques used in investigating geothermal well interactions and the transit time and recovery of reinjected fluids in adjacent producing wells. I-131 (20 G Bg) was introduced into reinjection wells and monitored periodically in adjacent wells. Results proved the suitability of I-131 and radiotracer techniques for geothermal investigations. Continuous monitoring could vastly improve and simplify the calculation for transit times and a bigger sampling volume could also lower the detection limit and would result in better estimates of % tracer recovery. (RTD)