Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Background for Ocean Thermal Power Plants.
Abstract
The vertical temperature gradient in the tropical oceans can be used to operate ocean thermal power plants (OTPP's) that function as heat engines. Such energy extraction would entail very large scale pumping of both warm surface water and cold bottom water through heat exchangers, with consequent disturbance and extensive mixing of surface and deep waters. The temperature difference between the warm and cold inflow water should be maximized for plant efficiency, but entrainment and recirculation between the inflow and the outflow may reduce this temperature contrast. Further, horizontal currents and turbulence carry the outflow water to large distances and may produce significant changes. These flows are crucial in determining the thermal resource availability and the environmental impact of OTPP operation. This report provides background material and brief assessments in several areas of geophysical fluid dynamics (GFD) that bear directly on these problems. Relevant GFD research areas discussed include: turbulence and thermal wakes; ocean circulation and the permanent thermocline; air-sea interaction and thermocline variation; weather and climate modeling; and marine ecosystems. The report illustrates how each GFD area relates to specific OTPP problems, and emphasizes the multiple disciplines in GFD that must be considered. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA033831
Entities
People
- Glyn O. Roberts
- Juri Toomre
- Steve A. Piacsek
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory