Two-dimensional numerical model of the near-field flow for an Ocean Thermal Power Plant. Part I. The theoretical approach and a laboratory simulation

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5766480

Roberts, G O; Piacsek, S A; Toomre, J

This report describes the computer model NRFL02 which has been developed to calculate the near-field stratified turbulent flow driven by the intakes and outflows of an ocean thermal power plant. A two-dimensional geometry is assumed, with the power plant intakes and jet outflows modelled by boundary conditions on the left boundary of a rectangular domain. Horizontal flow through the right boundary, to or from the far-field, is allowed by assuming a pressure in hydrostatic equilibrium with the ambient density distribution. The code uses a first-order closure model to treat the stratified turbulence. Advanced numerical methods enable convergent and accurate solutions to be obtained rapidly and economically. A simple laboratory simulation of two-dimensional stratified turbulence driven by intakes and jet outflows is proposed in order to address the general question of near-flow recirculation. Numerical results from NRFL02 are presented for the proposed experimental simulation. They confirm our analysis predicting a stability limit on the far-field horizontal flow, and demonstrate the occurrence of recirculation for fast flow cases.

• Research Organization: Science Applications, Inc., McLean, VA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: N00014-76-C-0610; E(49-26)-1005
• OSTI ID: 5766480
• Report Number(s): AD-A-064787
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
FLOW MODELS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPUTER CODES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
TURBULENT FLOW
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUID FLOW
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
140800* - Solar Energy- Ocean Energy Systems