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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pump starting system for sea thermal power plant

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7209198
In a turbine driven power generating plant of the type using for example a hydrocarbon or halocarbon as the working fluid operating on or near the surface of an ocean, warm surface water is used as a source of heat for a boiler and cold water pumped from substantial depths is used to condense the working fluid after it has been expanded through the turbine. An auxiliary power source for starting the water pumps of the main system includes a prime mover driving a compressor which in turn supplies a high energy working fluid to a turbine coupled to drive the water pumps. The turbine exhaust after being cooled in a heat exchanger by the cold water pumped from the ocean depths, is returned to the suction side of the compressor.
Assignee:
Sea Solar Power, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 4030301
OSTI ID:
7209198
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English