Cold Water Pipe (CWP) Model Feasibility Test.
Abstract
The current concept in energy extraction from the temperature difference between ocean surface water and deep water, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), requires a lengthy, large-diameter pipe (about 2000 to 3000 feet long) to reach the deep water. The pipe diameter ranges from 6 feet for proposed early test systems, to 60 or even 100 feet for large, commercial power generation systems. The pipe must be designed to resist collapsing pressures produced by water temperature and density differences, and the reduced pressure required to induce flow up the pipe. Other design considerations include the external-drag effect on the pipe due to ocean currents, and the wave-induced motions of the platform to which the pipe is attached. Various approaches to the pipe construction have been proposed, including aluminum, steel, concrete, and fiberglass. More recently, a flexible pipe construction involving the use of rubber-coated nylon fabric has been proposed. This report presents the results of a scaled flexible cold water pipe (CWP) model test program performed by Bell to demonstrate the feasibility of this flexible pipe approach. The test program (reference 1) was funded by the Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity (NORDA) under contract N00014-78-C-0759. A scale model of a length of a CWP was fabricated from lightweight elastomer-coated material, and tested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA101681
Entities
People
- J. Ryken
- V. Griffith
- W. Dukes
Organizations
- Bell Aircraft Corporation