Noi'i O Puna : The Puna Research Center

Abstract

Construction for a high technology research facility has been completed on the grounds of HGP-A, the only operating geothermal well in Hawaii, making this site unique for gaining expertise about Hawaiian geothermal well fluids. The research facility includes a wet chemistry laboratory, additional laboratory space, and a supervisory office. An open area has been designed for geothermal research in which high pressure brine will be provided for various experiments. Noi'i O Puna, The Puna Research Center (PRC), will enable vital research and development to be carried out in both geothermal electrical and non-electrical applications, such as dehydration of agriculture and aquacultural products and recovery of the special silica particles/gel from the fluid. The research program at PRC will build on the presently known results at various research institutions throughout the world, and began with a cooperative research workshop held on August 23, 1985, in Hilo, sponsored by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute through U.S. Department of Energy funding. Primary problems at the HGP-A site such as silica removal and hydrogen sulfide abatement are being looked upon as resource material for innovative geothermal industries. While silica poses to be a potentially major problem because increased geothermal development around HGP-A will cause a need for re-injection, the work to be accomplished at PRC will hopefully not only cure or alleviate this concern, but generate revenues to support the R&D program.