Research on the external fluid mechanics of ocean thermal energy conversion plants: report covering experiments in a current

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5248358

Coxe, D H; Fry, D J; Adams, E E

A set of experiments is described in a physical model study to explore plume transport and recirculation potential for a range of generic Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant designs and ambient conditions. Tests were conducted in a thermally-stratified 12 m x 18 m x 0.6 m basin, at an undistorted length scale ratio of 1:300, which allowed the upper 180 m of the ocean to be studied. Conditions which have been tested include a range of plant sizes (nominally 200 MWe to 600 MWe); a range of discharge configurations (mixed vs non-mixed evaporator and condenser flows, multiple vs radial slot discharge port(s), variation of discharge-intake separation and variation of discharge angle); and a range of ambient current speeds (0.15 to 1.0 m/s), and density profiles (surface mixed layers of 31 to 64 m). Measurements included temperature, dye concentration and visual observations from still and motion pictures. Results derived from these measurements are presented in tables and graphs in prototype dimensions. Many of the results are also analyzed and presented in non-dimensional terms to extend their generality. No significant recirculation was observed for any tests with a discharge directed with a vertical (downward) component. For tests with a horizontal discharge, recirculation was observed to be a complex function of a number of parameters. A simple mathematical model, based on the governing length scales, was successfully calibrated to the observed values of direct recirculation for the radial discharge case. Various measures of plume transport were summarized to help designers predict the impact of OTEC operation on the environment and to establish guidelines for spacing of multiple plants.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Energy Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AS02-78ET20483
• OSTI ID: 5248358
• Report Number(s): MIT-EL-81-049; COO-4683-8; ON: DE82017083
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CURRENTS
DATA
DYES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUID MECHANICS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
IMAGES
INFORMATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL DATA
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
PLUMES
POWER PLANTS
QUANTITY RATIO
SEAS
SIMULATION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
STRATIFICATION
STRUCTURAL MODELS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WATER CURRENTS