Abstract
Submarine hydrothermal fluids contain substantial energy, and temperature differences with the surrounding cold seawater can provide energy for seabed observations and submarine operations. This study proposes a novel hydrothermal power generation device comprising a thermoelectric converter and an energy management system. Herein, a waterproof module with high-temperature and high-pressure resistance was designed. Heating and pressurization tests were performed to verify the structure's feasibility. The overall structure of the system based on the module was then designed, and laboratory performance tests were conducted. A computational fluid dynamics simulation was used to further analyze the heat transfer model. The simulation results are consistent with experimental data, validating the simulation model's accuracy. The new device reduces its own weight and solves low heat transfer efficiency problems. This study increases the temperature difference between the two ends of the thermoelectric generator in the thermoelectric converter by 76.2%.
Highlights
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are widely distributed throughout mid-ocean ridges and back-arc basins, acting as material and energy exchange windows between the ocean and Earth’s crust [1]–[3]
A significant temperature difference exists between hydrothermal fluids and the surrounding cold seawater, which can serve as a renewable energy source [7]
A temperature difference is generated between the two ends of the thermoelectric generator (TEG), which can be converted into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect
Summary
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are widely distributed throughout mid-ocean ridges and back-arc basins, acting as material and energy exchange windows between the ocean and Earth’s crust [1]–[3]. Deep-sea hydrothermal fluids have fairly high-energy densities, with temperatures of up to 400◦C and speeds of up to 1–2 m/s. A typical high-temperature vent has a heat flux of up to 10 MW [4]–[6]. A significant temperature difference exists between hydrothermal fluids and the surrounding cold seawater, which can serve as a renewable energy source [7]. This considerable temperature difference can generate sustainable energy for long-term in situ observation of deep-sea hydrothermal fluids, for the development
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