Performance Analysis of 15 kW Closed Cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion System With Different Working Fluids

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianying Gong ◽  
Tieyu Gao ◽  
Guojun Li
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Closed Cycle ◽  
Working Fluids ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Stable Operating ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Closed cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (CC-OTEC) is a way to generate electricity by the sea water temperature difference from the upper surface to the different depth. This paper presents the performance of a 15 kW micropower CC-OTEC system under different working fluids. The results show that both butane and isobutane are not proper working fluids for the CC-OTEC system because the inlet stable operating turbine pressure is in a very narrow range. R125, R143a, and R32, especially R125, are suggested to be the transitional working fluids for CC-OTEC system for their better comprehensive system performance. Moreover, it is recommended that propane should be a candidate for the working fluid because of its excellent comprehensive properties and environmental friendliness. However, propane has inflammable and explosive characteristics. As for the natural working fluid ammonia, almost all performance properties are not satisfactory except the higher net output per unit sea water mass flow rate. But ammonia has relative broader range of the stable operating turbine inlet pressure, which has benefits for the practical plant operation.

scholarly journals Determine the best location for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) in Iranian Seas

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashrafoalsadat Shekarbaghani
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Caspian Sea ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
The South ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Two-thirds of the earth's surface is covered by oceans. These bodies of water are vast reservoirs of renewable energy.<strong> </strong>Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion technology, known as OTEC, uses the ocean’s natural thermal gradient to generate power. In geographical areas with warm surface water and cold deep water, the temperature difference can be leveraged to drive a steam cycle that turns a turbine and produces power. Warm surface sea water passes through a heat exchanger, vaporizing a low boiling point working fluid to drive a turbine generator, producing electricity. OTEC power plants exploit the difference in temperature between warm surface waters heated by the sun and colder waters found at ocean depths to generate electricity. This process can serve as a base load power generation system that produces a significant amount of renewable, non-polluting power, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In this paper investigated the potential of capturing electricity from water thermal energy in Iranian seas (Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and Oman Sea). According to the investigated parameters of OTEC in case study areas, the most suitable point in Caspian Sea for capturing the heat energy of water is the south part of it which is in the neighborhood of Iran and the most suitable point in the south water of Iran, is the Chahbahar port.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion System With Different Working Fluids

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dashu Li ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Xili Duan ◽  
Xiaosuai Tian
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Ocean Temperature ◽  
Water Pump ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

A thermodynamic model is developed for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems. Considering the narrow temperature range in the evaporator, different refrigerants including R717, R134a and R600 were analyzed and compared under sub-critical state with practical ocean thermal conditions. The results show that larger ocean temperature differences will lead to higher evaporation pressures, and less pumping power requirements for all pumps, i.e., warm sea water pump, cold sea water pump and pumps for the working fluid. The thermal efficiency of different systems and the net power output were found to be closely related to ocean temperature difference, with a positive linear relationship. It was also found that R717 provides the highest thermal efficiency with the least pump power requirement. This working fluid could potentially be used for OTEC system development. This study provides useful insights to the design and equipment selection of OTEC systems.

Experimental Studies on the Seawater Desalination System Based on Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

2013 ◽  
Vol 448-453 ◽  
pp. 3254-3258
Author(s):  
Feng Yun Chen ◽  
Wei Min Liu ◽  
Liang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Seawater Desalination ◽  
Tube Heat Exchanger ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Seawater desalination system has been established based on the ocean thermal energy conversion in this paper. Through compared finned tube heat exchanger with round tube heat exchanger obtained the fresh water output at different temperature and flow velocity of the warm and cold sea water. In this system the energy of the warm and cold sea water has been fully utilized, and so improved the economic benefits of the ocean thermal energy conversion.

scholarly journals Analysis of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Power Plant using Isobutane as the Working Fluid

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Useful Power ◽  
Design Characteristics ◽  
Process Energy ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

The use of organic isobutane will be investigated for a closed-cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) onshore plant that delivers 110 MW electric powers. This paper will cover concept, process, energy calculations, cost factoids and environmental aspects. In isobutane cycle, hot ocean surface water is used to vaporize and to superheat isobutane in a heat exchanger. Isobutane vapor then expands through a turbine to generate useful power. The exhaust vapor is condensed afterwards, using the cold deeper ocean water, and pumped to a heat exchanger to complete a cycle. Results show the major design characteristics and equipment's of the OTEC plant along with cycle efficiency and cycle improvement techniques.

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