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Internal heat transfer experiments for OTEC evaporator tubes

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6881976

In the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant-ship concept, large-diameter (3 to 4 in.) aluminum tubes with ammonia flowing inside are being proposed for use as a low-cost multipass evaporator. Experiments measuring the internal two-phase heat transfer coefficients of ammonia flowing inside a 3-in.-diameter, 20-ft-long aluminum tube have been conducted at the APL Propulsion Research Laboratory. Prior to these tests, no data were available for large-diameter tubes at the heat fluxes that will occur during OTEC operations (1000 to 3000 Btu/h-ft/sup 2/). The results provide a basis for predicting the internal heat transfer characteristics needed for the design of an evaporator core unit to be tested in the next phase of the development program.

Research Organization:
Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD (USA). Applied Physics Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AI01-77ET20342
OSTI ID:
6881976
Report Number(s):
DOE/ET/20342-T4; ON: DE84009335
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English