Alternative ocean energy products and hybrid geothermal-OTEC /GEOTEC/ plants

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · AIAA Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5461453

Dugger, G L ^[1]; Richards, D ^[2]

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1. Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD
2. U.S. Department of Energy, Div. of Ocean Energy Technology, Washington, DC

Products other than electricity from OTEC power plants are explored. Noting that the highest temperature gradients with the least seasonal variability are situated in tropical waters, it is suggested that portable products, such as NH3, liquid H2, methanol, and liquid hydrocarbon fuels, in addition to metals refining, are the most attractive applications of OTEC power. Cost estimates are provided for each product based on an average annual temperature change of 23.9 C and a 325 MWe OTEC the eighth plant costs are projected at $1,280/kW. Slowly cruising platforms for OTEC systems will have higher annual average temperature gradients than moored plants, and seasonal variations will relegate the monetary value of some OTEC electricity to fuel avoidance costs, due to lower winter gradient differences. Geothermal OTEC plants' performance is examined and found to exceed the normal OTEC efficiency by 12%.

• OSTI ID: 5461453
• Report Number(s): CONF-811205-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIAA Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: 81-2547
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
ALCOHOLS
ALUMINIUM
AMMONIA
CONVERSION
COST
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
FUELS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
METALS
METHANOL
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OFFSHORE SITES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SYNTHETIC FUELS