Open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system

Patent · Tue Feb 19 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:7157372

Wittig, J M

An improved open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system includes a flash evaporator for vaporizing relatively warm ocean surface water and an axial flow, elastic fluid turbine having a vertical shaft and axis of rotation. The warm ocean water is transmitted to the evaporator through a first prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure circumferentially situated about the axis of rotation. The unflashed warm ocean water exits the evaporator through a second prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure located circumferentially about and radially within the first skirt-conduit structure. The radially inner surface of the second skirt conduit structure constitutes a cylinder which functions as the turbine's outer casing and obviates the need for a conventional outer housing. The turbine includes a radially enlarged disc element attached to the shaft for supporting at least one axial row of radially directed blades through which the steam is expanded. A prestressed concrete inner casing structure of the turbine has upstream and downstream portions respectively situated upstream and downstream from the disc element. The radially outer surfaces of the inner casing portions and radially outer periphery of the axially interposed disc cooperatively form a downwardly radially inwardly tapered surface. An annular steam flow path of increasing flow area in the downward axial direction is radially bounded by the inner and outer prestressed concrete casing structures. The inner casing portions each include a transversely situated prestressed concrete circular wall for rotatably supporting the turbine shaft and associated structure. The turbine blades are substantially radially coextensive with the steam flow path and receive steam from the evaporator through an annular array of prestressed concrete stationary vanes which extend between the inner and outer casings to provide structural support there for and impart a desired flow direction to the steam. 10 figs.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 4189647; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 5-934572
• OSTI ID: 7157372
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
CONVERSION
DESIGN
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MACHINERY
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
OPERATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POWER PLANTS
SEAWATER
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
STEAM TURBINES
SUPPORTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WATER