Innovative turbine concepts for open-cycle OTEC (ocean thermal energy conversion)
This report summarizes the results of preliminary studies conducted to identify and evaluate three innovative concepts for an open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) steam turbine that could significantly reduce the cost of OTEC electrical power plants. The three concepts are (1) a crossflow turbine, (2) a vertical-axis, axial-flow turbine, and (3) a double-flow, radial-inflow turbine with mixed-flow blading. In all cases, the innovation involves the use of lightweight, composite plastic blading and a physical geometry that facilitates efficient fluid flow to and from the other major system components and reduces the structural requirements for both the turbine or the system vacuum enclosure, or both. The performance, mechanical design, and cost of each of the concepts are developed to varying degrees but in sufficient detail to show that the potential exists for cost reductions to the goals established in the US Department of Energy's planning documents. Specifically, results showed that an axial turbine operating with 33% higher steam throughput and 7% lower efficiency than the most efficient configuration provides the most cost-effective open-cycle OTEC system. The vacuum enclosure can be significantly modified to reduce costs by establishing better interfaces with the system. 33 refs., 26 figs., 11 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA); Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (USA); Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia, PA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 7109796
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/TR-253-3549; ON: DE90000315
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
42 ENGINEERING
420200 -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
BEARINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
CONVERSION
DATA PROCESSING
DEMINERALIZATION
DESALINATION
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FORECASTING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MACHINERY
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PROCESSING
PROGRESS REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SEALS
SEAWATER
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SPECIFICATIONS
STRESS ANALYSIS
STRUCTURAL MODELS
TASK SCHEDULING
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TURBINE BLADES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VACUUM SYSTEMS
VARIATIONS
WATER