The power production from low-enthalpy geothermal energy and the ocean thermal gradient, which use thefinite temperature and finite flow rate of the heat source, has unique thermodynamic characteristics. Finitetimethermodynamics is one of the keys to analyzing the basics of the cycles in terms of performance. Thisstudy summarizes the former research on finite-time thermodynamics applied to low-grade thermal energy,including the Rankine cycle, and discusses the application to the performance analysis of the total system,components, and optimum operation and design optima in terms of engineering. In addition, pilot test resultsusing a 30-kW ocean thermal energy conversion pilot test bench are analyzed and compared with results ofparametric analysis and finite-time thermodynamic basis analysis to verify the thermodynamics theory.
展开▼
