Studies of biofouling in ocean thermal energy conversion plants
Conference
·
OSTI ID:7255779
Efforts to extract energy from the ocean's thermal gradients by means of closed-cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants require very large heat exchangers. The sea water passing through these will be heated (or cooled) by only a few degrees. Under these conditions it is feared that biological fouling (biofouling) may seriously impede heat transfer unless appropriate measures are taken. There exists surprisingly little data on biofouling under conditions approximating those expected to exist in an OTEC heat exchanger. For these reasons we have undertaken a study of biofouling in simulated OTEC heat exchangers. Currently, the effect of fouling on the heat transfer coefficient is being investigated as a function of the material used and water velocity. Next, the effectiveness of several means of biofouling prevention will be determined. Later stages of the study will include investigation of variation with a number of other phenomena important to OTEC design and operation.
- Research Organization:
- Carnegie-Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7255779
- Report Number(s):
- COO-4041-4; CONF-770514-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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