Performance and stability of the mist lift process for open-cycle OTEC

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5448986

Davenport, R L; Johnson, D

This paper presents the results of SERI's analytical studies of the mist lift process for open-cycle OTEC. Results of a multiple-drop-size model that considers collisions and coalescence of drops indicate that drop growth is rapid. Results from an improved model that includes breakup of drops as well as coalescence indicate that drops tend to grow rapidly to a mean diameter of about 0.5 mm and that collisions prevent the drops from growing much larger than a few millimetres. Parametric studies performed using a single-drop-size model have indicated that the mist life process will perform under a variety of conditions. Important considerations for the design of a mist lift tube have also been identified as a result of these studies. Results of a transient mist life model indicate that the mist flow process is stable to perturbations in operating conditions, as long as the conditions remain within the steady-state operational envelope for the particular mist lift tube under study.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO
• OSTI ID: 5448986
• Report Number(s): CONF-821101-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States) Journal Volume: 82-WA/SOL-23
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
COALESCENCE
COLLISIONS
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DISTURBANCES
DROPLET MODEL
ENERGY CONVERSION
LIFT CYCLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIST-LIFT CYCLES
NUCLEAR MODELS
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OPEN-CYCLE SYSTEMS
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
STABILITY
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
TUBES