Floating OTEC Structure With Stable Cold Water Pipe Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) power plants face low overall efficiency, high construction and operating costs, and environmental concerns due to the large parasitic loads and stability challenges associated with the cold water intake pipe in dynamic ocean environments, as well as environmental impacts from nutrient-rich deep water discharge.
Innovation Solution
A floating OTEC power plant with a multi-stage heat engine and integrated heat exchange compartments, featuring a continuous offset staved cold water pipe design that minimizes movement and reduces parasitic loads, combined with a modular and compartmentalized structure for reduced construction and maintenance costs, and an optimized heat exchange system for efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cold water intake pipe is used in OTEC power plants, then the plant can access deep cold water for heat exchange, but the pipe experiences excessive movement and instability in dynamic ocean environments, increasing parasitic loads and operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pipe system adaptable to ocean movements. The cold water intake pipe is designed with flexible joints and buoyancy control mechanisms that allow it to dynamically adjust to wave action and current forces, reducing stress and movement while maintaining functionality in the dynamic ocean environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses buoyancy as a counterweight force to offset the weight and movement of the cold water intake pipe. Buoyancy modules or air-filled chambers are integrated into the pipe structure to provide upward force that counteracts gravitational pull and reduces pipe movement, thereby stabilizing the system and reducing parasitic loads
2Productivity
If large heat exchange surface areas are used to maximize heat transfer efficiency, then energy transfer improves, but the parasitic load on the plant increases due to pumping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the physical and chemical properties of the working fluid to enhance heat transfer coefficients. By changing fluid parameters such as viscosity, density, and specific heat capacity through fluid selection or additives, the system achieves higher heat transfer efficiency without requiring proportionally larger heat exchange surfaces or higher flow rates, thus reducing parasitic pumping loads
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through oscillating or pulsating flow patterns in the heat exchangers. By creating periodic fluctuations in fluid flow rather than steady continuous flow, the system enhances heat transfer through intermittent turbulence and boundary layer disruption, achieving higher efficiency with lower average pumping power and reduced parasitic loads
3Duration of action of stationary object
If OTEC plants discharge nutrient-rich deep water at the surface, then the plant operates continuously, but environmental concerns arise from potential ecological impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from surface-level discharge to deep-water discharge. The cold water intake pipe system is configured to discharge processed water at depth rather than at the surface, utilizing the vertical dimension of the water column. This deep discharge location avoids surface ecosystems while maintaining continuous plant operation, as the deep water environment can accommodate the discharged nutrients without harming surface marine life
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 solution enhances overall efficiency, reduces construction and operating costs, and minimizes environmental impact by efficiently managing warm and cold water discharge at appropriate depths, while maintaining stability in dynamic ocean conditions.
Implementation Method 1
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 2
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 3
The first deck portion provides for evaporation of the working fluid. A second deck portion provides a condensing system for condensing the working fluid from a vapor to a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.