[Michael.SF.]

I don't think the Geyser's is the largest area of Geothermal production in the USA. I believe that honor would go to the Imperial Valley.

Geothermal Energy is not inexpensive due to the corrosiveness and abrasiveness of the fluid and it's effect on the equipment needed to convert this source to energy. The Geothermal Brine pumps for example are made primarily by only one company in the USA (Johnston Pumps), as such the costs are not onbly high due to materials, but unusually high due to higher then normal margins. Others have tried, but with limited success (Flowserve, Goulds, Floway).

Geothermal sounds like a good idea, but it is far more difficult then this article implies.

[eraser2005]

Are you referring to fluids in large scale geothermal projects?

The small scale home systems often use the same basic type of fluid you use in your car's radiator. That fluid is recyclable and actually has rust inhibitors.... there's no reason to use brine on small scales....

[Calvin Locke]

I knew a guy that worked for specialty pump mfg at one point. They'd ship a ceramic lined, ceramic impeller pump
with a warning in big friendly letters to open up the pump casing after it's hooked up, but before it's run for the
first time. Otherwise, more often than not, the motor's power was wired backwards, and the impeller would unscrew
itself, destroying it and the lining.

Never thought to ask him about any geothermal installations.