Floating OTEC Platform With Detachable Deep-Water Manifold
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants face low thermodynamic efficiency and environmental concerns due to high parasitic power consumption and potential impacts on ocean environments from nutrient-rich cold water discharge.
Innovation Solution
A floating OTEC system with a vessel-mounted platform and a fixed seabed manifold, featuring a mooring system, heat exchange units, and detachable water intake and discharge pipes, allowing for independent operation of cold and warm water systems to reduce power requirements and minimize environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional OTEC systems draw large volumes of cold water from ocean depths and discharge near the surface, then power generation capacity is improved, but environmental impact worsens due to effects on fish stocks and reef systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water discharge process by separating cold water intake and warm water return into distinct spatial pathways. Cold water is drawn from depth while warm water is discharged at surface level, preventing the mixing and discharge of nutrient-rich cold water that harms marine ecosystems while maintaining power generation capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary deep water discharge mechanism that transports warm water from the surface to deep water release points. This intermediary system allows thermal energy conversion to continue while the warm water is released at depth where it has minimal impact on surface marine ecosystems
2Productivity
If OTEC plants operate continuously to provide stable power, then energy output is improved, but platform stress and vulnerability to severe storms worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic mooring connections that can be detached and reattached. During severe storms, the platform can be disconnected from the seabed manifold and moved to protected harbors, while quickly reconnected when conditions improve, ensuring both continuous power provision and platform survivability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state of the platform from fixed to mobile by implementing detachable mooring systems. This parameter change allows the platform to transition between operational and protected states based on environmental conditions, maintaining reliability while ensuring survivability
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed seabed manifold is used for stable water supply, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to move during storms worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the connection between platform and seabed into detachable components. The manifold remains fixed for stable water supply during normal operation, while the connection points can be separated to enable platform mobility during storms, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient and stable electricity generation with reduced environmental impact by optimizing power output and minimizing the stress on platform connections, enabling continuous operation and quick recovery from severe storms, while maintaining low costs and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more OTEC heat exchange units
Implementation Method 2
uses the temperature difference between surface and deep sea tropical waters to drive a heat engine
Implementation Method 3
The OTEC process uses the temperature difference between surface and deep sea tropical waters to drive a heat engine to produce electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
a temperature difference between the warm and cold reservoirs of between 2° to 7° C (35° to 45° F). This temperature difference remains fairly constant throughout the day and night
Implementation Method 5
one or more turbine generators
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An offshore power generation system comprising: a floating portable platform having one or more OTEC heat exchange units, one or more turbine generators, a water intake and discharge system, a mooring system; and a fixed manifold having one or more cold water intake connections in communication with a cold water pipe, and one or more cold water discharge connections in communication with the water intake system of the floating platform via an intermediate cold water conduit, wherein each cold water discharge connection is detachable from the intermediate cold water pipe.