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U.S. Department of Energy
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Model tests of a baseline 40 MW OTEC pilot plant. Volume A: narrative report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6377789
A baseline design of an OTEC pilot plant, configured as a floating platform for large-scale, at-sea, practical demonstrations of OTEC system operation, has been completed. Model tests at 1/30 scale were conducted in a model basin. Waves were produced to simulate a variety of ocean conditions, including 100-year storm seas where hurricane waves equivalent to a maximum height of 65 ft were created. The platform survived all simulated conditions, although it was observed that a shaped bow, bilge keels, and additional hull length would improve seakeeping in the hurricane seas. Quantitative data were obtained on ship motions, cold-water-pipe loads and motions, mooring forces, and seawater system pressures.
Research Organization:
Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD (USA). Applied Physics Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AI01-77ET20342
OSTI ID:
6377789
Report Number(s):
JHU/APL-SR-81-1A; ON: DE81024158
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English