A Theoretical Investigation on the Potential Application of Ocean Salinity and Temperature Energy Conversion (OSTEC)

Abstract

This paper discusses the theoretical investigation on the effect of salinity and temperature differences between ocean sea water and the incoming fresh water from surrounding area, as main parameters, to the generation of electrical power. A theoretical formulation is first derived to predict the water flow rate at the sea water surface when fresh water is funnelled at the bottom of an up-tube, immersed in the sea water, using smaller down-tube. The flow rate is then converted into corresponding kinetic power that may be translated into electrical energy using water turbine. The paper ends with computer simulations when the temperature and salinity differences between incoming fluid and the sea water, and also when the diameter of the up-tube and down-tube, are varied, at various elevation of the reservoir of the incoming fluids.