Semi-Submersible OTEC Station Heat Exchanger Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems are costly and difficult to maintain due to the use of multiple heat exchangers and often disregard the production of potable water as a by-product.
Innovation Solution
A semi-submersible OTEC service station with a novel approach that eliminates the need for multiple heat exchangers by using a closed loop cycle with a heat exchanger extending from a lower deck, incorporating three heater assemblies for efficient heating and potable water production, and includes buoyancy tanks for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple heat exchangers are used in conventional OTEC systems, then the system can achieve the required heating and cooling functions, but the installation cost and maintenance difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchanger functions into a single integrated heat exchanger unit. This single heat exchanger performs both the heating function (vaporizing the working fluid using warm seawater) and the cooling function (condensing the vaporized working fluid using cold seawater), thereby reducing the total number of heat exchangers from multiple to one, which lowers installation cost and maintenance difficulty while maintaining the required thermal functions
2Power
If conventional OTEC systems focus on energy production, then electrical power is generated, but the production of potable water as a by-product is disregarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the OTEC system to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The single heat exchanger not only generates electrical power through the thermodynamic cycle (vaporizing and condensing working fluid to drive a turbine) but also produces potable water as a by-product. The condensed working fluid or condensed seawater vapor is collected and processed into fresh water, making the system versatile for both energy production and water supply purposes
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
This configuration achieves higher efficiency and lower operating costs while utilizing the heat exchanger to condense and vaporize the working fluid, generating both electrical power and potable water.
Implementation Method 1
The station includes a heat exchanger extending from the lower deck
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the heat exchanger to condense and vaporize the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
utilizing the heat exchanger to condense and vaporize the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
Three heater assemblies are provided for heating working fluid at various stages of an OTEC cycle
Implementation Method 5
includes buoyancy tanks for stability
Data Source
AI summary
A high efficiency OTEC service station for supporting a novel high efficiency ocean thermal energy conversion system. The high efficiency OTEC service station generally includes a semi-submersible platform positioned in a warm ocean location. The station includes an upper deck having an interior which stores one or more fluid pumps, generators and turbines for use in generating electrical power. A lower deck having an interior stores one or more working fluid tanks, water storage tanks and spent working fluid tanks. Three heater assemblies are provided for heating working fluid at various stages of an OTEC cycle and for use in creating potable water for other applications. A heat exchanger extends from the lower deck, which also includes one or more buoyancy tanks. By utilizing a novel approach to ocean thermal energy conversion, the OTEC service station achieves greater efficiency and lower operating costs than prior art systems.