李四光教授倡导的中国地热研究

李四光教授是中国地热研究的倡导者,作者以中国科学院地质研究所地热室近20年来的研究工作为基础,从大地热流、深部地热、区域地温场、地热数学模拟、地热实验和分析测试系统、地热资源、矿山地热以及油田地热等八个方面阐述了我国地热研究的进展,以资缅怀和纪念李四光教授诞生100周年。

GEOTHERMAL STUDIES IN CHINA -&mdash|PROMOTED BY PROFESSOR LI SIGUANG (J. S. LEE)

Professor Li Siguang is a distinguished geologist and geoscientist as well as a promoter of geothermal studies in China. He paid much attention and put much effort for promoting geothermal studies in our country during his life time. In the early 1970's, Professor Li suggested that the Earth must be regarded as a huge natural thermal reservoir and the mankind should "extract" heat from the Earth for their own use. As a consequence, a "heat"-wave of prospecting and exploration for geothermal energy was thus formed at that time all over the country. Since then, the scope and objects of geothermal studies in China have been extended. As a part of geothermal community in our country, Lab for Geothermics, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences engaged in both theoretical and application-oriented aspects of Geothermics, a number of high-quality results have been achieved. Approximately 200 reliable heat flow values have been obtained. The isotherm maps and the geothermal gradient maps of the North China Basin and the lower reaches of Liaohe River have been compiled. The Mohotemperature and the temperature in deep Earth crust, mantle heat flow and "reduced" heat flow have been calculated for Panxi Paleorift Belt, southwestern China and the North China Basin. In addition, the first "Heat flow Province" in China has been identified and the thickness of "thermal" lithosphere has been determined in Panxi Paleorift Belt. Based on paleogeothermal study, the history of thermal evolution since Meso-Cenozoic Era has been reconstructed in the North China Basin. In Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet) Plateau, the mechanism of high heat flow has been demonstrated and a conceptual model of multi-level thermal structure of the crust and upper mantle has been suggested. The mechanism of tectono-thermal evolution of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau has been exhibited as well. As to geothermal resources in the North China Basin, model of geo- thermal field forming has been suggested and assessment of thermal water resources have been made. The promising areas for geothermal development and the"perspectives" of utilization of geothermal resources in the North China Basin have been pointed out either. In Zhangzhou Geothermal Field, Fujian Prov., Southeast China,the circulating depth of thermal water, the reservoir temperature at depth,the temperature pattern and the heat flow of the Field as well as the origin model of Zhangzhou Geothermal Field have been studied systematically. In Yangbajing Geothermal Field, Xizang, well-testing, reservoir parameter analysing and regime monitoring have been conducted, good results were obtained. What about geothermal studies in mining areas, a classification of geothermal type of mines in China has been suggested. A methodology for predicting temperature at depth in mining areas and the geological engineering measure to prevent and reduce the so-called "geothermal hazard" in shafts and galleries have been formulated. It is very useful and helpful for coal industry. Geothermal studies in oil-gas fields were based on regional geothermal study, and the paleo-geotemperature condition in the North China Basin have been revealed in detail. Problems such as the maturation history of oil-gas-producing formation, their spatial distribution and the potential of oil-gas generation as well as the promising areas for oil-gas prospecting and exploration were conducted. Equipments for temperature measurement in the field and thermophysical property determinations of rock samples in laboratory have been set up. Geothermal modeling by computer was applied since late 1970's in Lab for Geothermics, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.