Seawater test results of open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC-OTEC) components

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Heat Transfer Engineering; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01457639008939740· OSTI ID:6494988

Zangrando, F; Bharathan, D; Link, H ^[1]; Panchal, C B ^[2]

---

1. Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
2. Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)

Key components of open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC-OTEC) systems- the flash evaporator, mist eliminator, passive predeaerator, two surface condenser stages, and two direct-contact condenser stages- have been tested using seawater. These components operate at lower steam pressures and higher inlet noncondensable gas concentrations than do conventional power plant heat exchangers. The rate of heat exchanged between the evaporator and the condenser is on the order of 1.25 MW (thermal), requiring a warm seawater flow of about 0.1 m{sub 3}/s; the cold seawater flow is on the order of half the warm water flow. In addition to characterizing the performance of the various components, the system has produced potable water from condensation of the steam produced in the evaporator. The information obtained in these tests is being used to design a larger-scale experiment in which net power production is expected to be demonstrated for the first time using OC-OTEC technology.

• OSTI ID: 6494988
• Journal Information: Heat Transfer Engineering; (USA), Vol. 11:4; ISSN 0145-7632
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
42 ENGINEERING
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
PERFORMANCE
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
HEAT RECOVERY EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
EVAPORATORS
SEAWATER
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
WATER
140800* - Solar Energy- Ocean Energy Systems
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
320303 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes