In-situ biofouling of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) evaporator tubes
- Univ. of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
- Argonne National Lab., IL
The Puerto Rico Center for Energy and Environmental Research equipped a LCU facility in 1100 m of water near Punta Tuna, Puerto Rico to measure in situ biofouling of simulated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion evaporator tubes. The system consisted of two 5052 aluminum alloy and two titanium tubes, through which a continuous flow of ocean water was maintained. The tubes were cleaned three times and the fouling resistance was measured, showing only slight differences between the tubes with respect to heat transfer loss resulting from biofouling. In all units, the average fouling rate after cleaning was greater than before cleaning, and only after the first cleaning did the aluminum units show greater fouling rates than did the titanium. The titanium units showed a progressive increase in the fouling rates with each cleaning. The subsequent average fouling rates for all units after eight months were between 4 and 4.6 x 0.000010 sq m-k/W-day.
- OSTI ID:
- 5747666
- Journal Information:
- J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Vol. 103
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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