Process Analysis of Ocean Thermal Energy Used for Desalination

Abstract

Ocean thermal energy (OTE) is a kind of ocean energy with a large development potential. In this paper, a new method making direct use of OTE for desalination was put forward and its principles and working process were also expounded. Firstly, this paper established the relevant process model of OTE desalination system. The system used OTE to maintain a vacuum and seawater could be evaporated at a much lower temperature and with less energy than conventional technique. Secondly, a parametric study was carried out quantitatively. It analyzed the influence on the system’s operation of three main parameters (temperature, mass flow and energy consumption). Finally, this paper improved the energy efficiency of the system. The lowest unit energy consumption could reach 4.54kWh/m3. The results indicate the feasibility of OTE used for desalination and its competitiveness against common solar desalination method.