Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Abstract

A closed cycle ocean thermal energy conversion basically involves a working fluid which has a boiling point just low below ambient temperature. This fluid is then evaporated using warm sea water and then used to run turbines. This evaporated gas is then condensed using cold seawater. In this paper a study is being made to install a super heater between the evaporator and the turbine. The various consequences due to this technical advancement have been discussed taking into consideration all the components in the OTEC plant. As the energy requirement to run pumps cannot be avoided, to increase the overall efficiency of the plant an effort is being made to increase the net energy output of the turbine. This can be achieved by heating the working fluid above its saturation temperature thus increasing its enthalpy indirectly increasing the net output of the turbine. Along with a super heater a pre-heater has been installed which helps to compensate the heat losses in heat exchangers. Both the super heater and pre-heater have been developed using non-conventional energy resources and no external energy input is required. Along with this an economic study has also been made which supports the proposed idea.