Offset Staved Cold Water Pipe for OTEC Assembly
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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 low thermodynamic efficiency, large parasitic loads, and challenges in designing and operating in dynamic ocean environments, particularly with cold water intake systems.
Innovation Solution
A floating OTEC power plant with a modular, multi-stage heat engine and integrated heat exchange compartments, using a continuous offset staved cold water pipe design that reduces parasitic loads and construction costs, and minimizes environmental impact by discharging warm and cold water at appropriate depths, with a flexible resin bonding system for stave segments and a dynamic bearing connection to the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional segmented pipe construction is used, then assembly is simplified, but structural integrity and thermal efficiency deteriorate due to joint losses and discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is divided into multiple stave segments that can be assembled separately and then joined together. This allows for easier manufacturing and assembly of long pipes while maintaining structural integrity through proper joint design with gaskets and fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple stave segments are merged to form a continuous pipe structure. The segments are joined using mechanical fasteners and sealing gaskets to create a unified structure that maintains structural integrity and thermal efficiency throughout the entire pipe length.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid pipe connections are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to dynamic ocean environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe connection system incorporates dynamic elements such as flexible joints and movement allowances that enable the rigid pipe structure to adapt to the dynamic ocean environment. This includes provisions for thermal expansion, contraction, and movement due to wave action while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible gaskets and sealing elements are used in the pipe joint design to accommodate movement and deformation while maintaining the structural integrity of the rigid pipe. These flexible components allow the pipe system to adapt to dynamic conditions without compromising stability.
3Device complexity
If conventional heat exchange systems are used, then design simplicity is maintained, but thermodynamic efficiency deteriorates due to large temperature differences and parasitic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange system is divided into multiple stages with intermediate heat exchangers operating at different temperature levels. This multi-stage approach extracts thermal energy more efficiently from the warm ocean water while maintaining a manageable and understandable design structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange system operates with multiple temperature stages rather than a single large temperature difference. By changing the operating parameters to include intermediate temperature levels, the system improves thermodynamic efficiency while maintaining design simplicity through standardized heat exchanger modules.
4Quantity of substance
If high parasitic loads are used for pumping, then water flow requirements are met, but overall net efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles to optimize water flow through the heat exchange system. By designing the piping and flow paths to minimize resistance and utilizing natural hydraulic gradients where possible, the system reduces the parasitic pumping loads required to achieve the necessary water flow volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the pumping system to operate at optimal efficiency points. By carefully selecting pump sizes, operating speeds, and flow rates to match the actual thermal energy extraction requirements, the system minimizes parasitic energy losses while maintaining adequate water flow volume.
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 improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing the bulk temperature of discharged water, while allowing for efficient assembly and maintenance of the cold water pipe system.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible resin bonding system for stave segments
Implementation Method 2
continuous offset staved cold water pipe design
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a pipe on a water-supported floating platform is provided. The platform includes an open central bay, and a gantry on the platform is arranged so as to surround at least a portion of the bay. The method includes providing a pipe intake assembly and staves on the platform; transferring the pipe intake assembly to the interior space of the bay; assembling the individual staves on the pipe intake assembly in an offset construction; lowering the pipe portion within the bay and into the water until the upper ends of the staves reside within a lower portion of the gantry; increasing the length of the pipe portion by assembling additional staves to the upper ends of the assembled staves; and repeating the step of increasing the length of the portion of the pipe until the pipe has a desired length.