Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) - PDF

BSME 4-B GROUP -5 Topic: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion(OTEC) Terminologies and Concepts Related to OTEC Ocean Thermal Energy- is the heat stored in the ocean's surface waters, which can be used to generate electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface water and coole...

BSME 4-B GROUP -5 Topic: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion(OTEC) Terminologies and Concepts Related to OTEC Ocean Thermal Energy- is the heat stored in the ocean's surface waters, which can be used to generate electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface water and cooler deep water. Close Cycle- OTEC- is a method of generating electricity by using a fluid with a low boiling point to circulate in a closed loop, where it is heated by warm surface ocean water, turns into vapor, drives a turbine, and is then cooled by cold deep ocean water to repeat the process. Open-cycle OTEC-generates electricity by using warm surface ocean water to directly evaporate a low-pressure fluid, which drives a turbine, and then condenses it using cold deep ocean water to repeat the cycle. Hybrid-cycle OTEC-combines both open-cycle and closed-cycle systems, using warm surface ocean water to produce vapor in the open cycle, and then using cold deep ocean water to condense the vapor and also generate power through a closed-cycle system. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): A process that generates electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep seawater. Seawater: The saltwater from oceans used in OTEC systems to exchange heat energy. Ammonia: A working fluid used in the closed cycle OTEC, known for its efficient heat transfer properties. Evaporator: A component in OTEC systems where the working fluid absorbs heat and changes from liquid to vapor. Flash Chamber: A device where warm seawater is rapidly depressurized to cause partial evaporation, used in open cycle OTEC. Vacuum Pump: A device used in open cycle OTEC to create low-pressure conditions, enabling the evaporation of seawater. Generator: A machine that converts the mechanical energy from turbines into electrical energy in OTEC systems. Condenser: A component where vapor is cooled and condensed back into liquid, releasing heat into cold seawater. Renewable Energy: Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish themselves over time, such as sunlight, wind, water (hydropower), geothermal heat, and biomass. Clean Energy: Clean energy refers to energy that produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution. While all renewable energy is clean, clean energy also includes other technologies like nuclear energy, Reliable Energy: Reliable energy means energy sources and systems that can consistently and dependably meet the energy demand without frequent interruptions. Locality of Production: This refers to the specific geographical area where energy is generated. For renewable energy, the locality often depends on the availability of natural resources, such as solar farms in sunny regions, wind turbines in windy areas, or hydropower plants near rivers. High Commencing Costs: This refers to the significant initial investment required to establish energy production systems, especially renewable energy projects like solar farms, wind farms, or geothermal plants. Interfere with Navigation: This describes how some energy production methods, particularly large-scale installations, can disrupt transportation or communication routes. Withdrawal and Discharge Water: This refers to the process of taking water from natural sources, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans, for use in energy production (e.g., cooling in power plants), and then returning it back to the source. Impingement and Entrainment: These are environmental effects on aquatic life caused by water intake systems, particularly in power plants or desalination facilities: Biocide Treatment: This involves the use of chemicals to control or eliminate biological organisms, such as algae, bacteria, or mussels, in industrial water systems. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): OTEC is a process that harnesses the temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water in oceans to generate electricity. Ocean Current Hydrokinetic Energy Conversion: This process captures energy from the kinetic movement of ocean currents to generate electricity. Turbines placed underwater are rotated by the flow of ocean currents, similar to how wind turbines operate with air. Desalination: The process of removing salt from seawater to produce freshwater. ‎ ‎ eep-Water Mariculture: Farming of fish and marine organisms in deep ocean waters, D often supported by the cold nutrient-rich water used in OTEC systems. ‎ ‎ efrigeration and Air Conditioning: Secondary benefits of OTEC systems, which use R the cold seawater to provide cooling for buildings, storage facilities, and other purposes. ‎ ‎ ineral Extraction: The process of recovering valuable minerals dissolved in seawater, M such as lithium or rare earth elements, which can be integrated with OTEC systems for added economic value. ‎ ‎