Conversion of ocean thermal energy with the 'salt cycle'

摘要

A temperature gradient exists between the top and the depths of oceans, the "Salt Cycle" is targeted at converting this thermal energy. The phases of certain solutions (liquid - liquid or solid - liquid) separate out at lower temperatures enabling the separation of the solute. By placing the solute behind a semipermeable membrane, at a higher temperature, an osmotic pressure can be developed. The pressure released into a turbine can generate power or may be put to other uses like desalination. theright chamber is of higher concentration giving rise to osmotic pressure on that side. This osmotic pressure is released into a reaction type turbine (4). The draft tube of the turbine leads into a deep sea heat exchanger (6) where the solution getscooled and its components get separated due to lowering of solubility of the solute. The solute phase is collected and pumped by solute pump (7) back into the osmotic chamber. The remaining liquid flows back to a surface heat exchanger (I) where it getsheated to around the surface temperature. The solubility of the solute increases at higher temperature. The process continues in a closed cycle hereby named 'Salt Cycle'.As the liquid coming from the deepsea heat exchanger is not entirely free of solute, the required to flush a certain amount of residue into the down going draft tube, this will maintain an equilibrium in the concentration.