Ocean thermal energy conversion
Ocean thermal energy conversion
(OP)
Although the efficiency of an engine operating between, say, 25oC (surface of tropical oceans) and 5oC (hundreds of meters down) is just 7% (= 1 - 278 K/298 K) there are sufficiently large amounts of warm ocean water to consider exploiting this free energy of solar origin.
Can anyone enlighten us on the progress and practicality of OTEC ?





RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
Epoisses,
Your comment is appropriate, but can one tell what man-made heat engine doesn't somewhat, directly or indirectly, alter "natural" equilibrium ?
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
I only really looked at the first one. Involves heat exchangers etc.
I'm having crazy ideas like using a giant thermocouple or maybe something utilizing the differences in salinity &/or density (I'm guessing density differences would be too small).
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
www.enwave.com
For a heat engine with a Carnot efficiency of only 7% max, you'd have to do it on an enormous scale to make it worthwhile. Even if the energy source is free, capital isn't.
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
Regards,
Mike
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_updraft_tower
Looks at once vaguely feasible, rather expensive, and really quite intersting.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power
It's been done already.
IJsbrand
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
Suppose the pioneers on this technology were the Dutch
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
ht
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
Geothermal and Nuclear are the 2 exceptions that spring immediately to mind. I guess burning sulfer and similar chemicals would be a problematic third.
RE: Ocean thermal energy conversion
HVAC68