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U.S. Department of Energy
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Results of a near field physical model study

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5557792
A physical model study is ongoing to investigate the sensitivity of recirculation and near field plume dynamics to variation in OTEC plant design and ambient ocean conditions. A thermally-stratified 18 x 12 x 0.6 m basin at a nominal scale of 1/300 allows the upper 180 m of the ocean to be studied for plant sizes up to 600 MW(e). Tests have been conducted for stagnant conditions and for conditions with a current, using both the mixed discharge (combined evaporator and condenser) and non-mixed discharge concepts. Separate tests were made to investigate interactions between evaporator and condenser discharges in a non-mixed concept. Measurements include temperature, dye concentration, mean velocity and visual observations obtained from still and motion pictures. Results for the stagnant water tests showed no significant recirculation except for those tests where the discharge ports were oriented (slightly) upward or where the largest plant size (600 MW(e)) was tested. No significant difference in recirculation could be discerned between the mixed and the non-mixed discharge designs although differences in the equilibrium positions of the discharge plumes were noted. Tests in a current are still in progress but some preliminary results are presented.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Civil Engineering
OSTI ID:
5557792
Report Number(s):
COO-4683-4; CONF-790631-19
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English