Far-field model of the regional influence of effluent plumes from ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5451995· OSTI ID:5451995

Wang, D. P.

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants discharge large volumes of cold water into the upper ocean. A three-dimensional, limited-area model was developed to investigate the regional influence of the far-field effluent plume created by the negatively buoyant discharge. The model was applied to discharges from a 40-MW/sub e/ OTEC plant into coastal waters characterized by various ambient ocean conditions. A typical ambient temperature structure and nutrient distribution, as well as the behavior of the effluent plume itself, were strongly modified by the discharge-induced circulation. Although temperature perturbations in the plume were small, upward entrainment of nutrients from below the thermocline was significant. The regional influence of discharges from an 80-MW/sub e/ OTEC plant, the interactions between the discharges from two adjacent 40-MW/sub e/ OTEC plants, and the effects of coastal boundary and bottom discharge were examined with respect to the regional influence of a 40-MW/sub e/ OTEC plant located in deep water off a coast (base case).

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5451995
• Report Number(s): ANL/OTEC-EV-3; ON: DE85016981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
COLD EFFLUENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
PLUMES
POWER PLANTS
POWER RANGE 10-100 MW
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
VELOCITY