Abstract
The main role of cold water discharged from ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems is that deep ocean water, which is dense and nutrient-rich, is released through the condenser and discharged into the ocean surface. We present a numerical simulation in which a cold-water is discharged into a temperature-stratified fluid. A semi-empirical formula relating the outlet flow and the plunging depth was obtained by model analysis, and the k multiplier was 1.15. The model results are consistent with the experimental data.
Highlights
Coldwater discharged from Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)’ condensers is clean, and rich in nutrients
The first thing to be clarified is that the cold water will not cause pollution to the environment, and it will create a suitable living environment for marine life, thereby forming a potential fishing ground, if the cold water could be distributed in the ocean surface
Ouchi et al illustrated a kind of an ocean nutrient enhancer adopted in a stratified water area that was an applied density flow generator
Summary
Coldwater discharged from OTECs’ condensers is clean, and rich in nutrients. The first thing to be clarified is that the cold water will not cause pollution to the environment, and it will create a suitable living environment for marine life, thereby forming a potential fishing ground, if the cold water could be distributed in the ocean surface. Akiyama and Stefan performed a theoretical analysis of the two-dimensional buoyant flow from the channel to the inclined slope reservoir [4] Their purpose was to study the prediction of the plunging phenomenon and the plunging depth. Kassem et al successfully experimented in the laboratory on the phenomenon of underflow of density flow along the bed slope This experiment focuses on the transition from river inflow to the negative buoyant plume. Hughes and Griffiths found that for given buoyancy flux, the total entrainment rate of the fluid per unit depth was constant This phenomenon occurs mainly because the entrainment loss caused by the low-angle slope is balanced by the increase in entrainment caused by the density flow to reach the same depth [16]. Our laboratory has studied in this area, investigated the effect of the temperature gradient of ocean surface water on the depth of cold drainage, and achieved specific results. At the same time, understanding the plunging phenomenon of OTEC cold drainage has guiding significance for subsequent understanding of the diffusion of cold drainage in the ocean
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