Ocean thermal energy conversion hydro well apparatus

Patent · Tue Nov 03 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5592727

Jensen, R K

An ocean thermal energy conversion apparatus is described comprising: (a) A vertical chamber extending downward into the ocean with its upper end near the surface of the ocean; (b) Air induction means suitable for introducing a stream of air bubbles into the sea water falling down the vertical chamber; (c) A generator means located at the lower end of the vertical chamber, to generate electricity from the flow of sea water and air flowing down the vertical chamber; (d) Heat exchanger means to cool the flow of sea water and air to the temperature of ambient sea water at the lower end of the apparatus; (e) A chamber located at the lower end of the apparatus for separating the air from the flow of sea water; and (f) A number of exhaust ports in the separation chamber to allow water to flow out of the separation chamber into the surrounding ocean.

• Assignee: NOV; NOV-88-090395; EDB-88-026226
• Patent Number(s): US 4703626
• OSTI ID: 5592727
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 12 Jan 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
DESIGN
AIR FLOW
BUBBLES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
SEAS
SEAWATER
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
TWO-PHASE FLOW
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WATER
140800* - Solar Energy- Ocean Energy Systems