US20150184532A1 - Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems - Google Patents
Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150184532A1 US20150184532A1 US14/629,266 US201514629266A US2015184532A1 US 20150184532 A1 US20150184532 A1 US 20150184532A1 US 201514629266 A US201514629266 A US 201514629266A US 2015184532 A1 US2015184532 A1 US 2015184532A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- water
- ocean
- solar collector
- solar
- heat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D15/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of engines with devices driven thereby
- F01D15/10—Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K5/00—Plants characterised by use of means for storing steam in an alkali to increase steam pressure, e.g. of Honigmann or Koenemann type
- F01K5/02—Plants characterised by use of means for storing steam in an alkali to increase steam pressure, e.g. of Honigmann or Koenemann type used in regenerative installation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/003—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy having a Rankine cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/0055—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy having other power cycles, e.g. Stirling or transcritical, supercritical cycles; combined with other power sources, e.g. wind, gas or nuclear
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/06—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
- F03G6/065—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means having a Rankine cycle
- F03G6/067—Binary cycle plants where the fluid from the solar collector heats the working fluid via a heat exchanger
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/121—Controlling or monitoring
- F03G6/127—Over-night operation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
- F03G7/04—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature
- F03G7/05—Ocean thermal energy conversion, i.e. OTEC
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/10—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids forming pools or ponds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/40—Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar collectors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/50—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates
- F24S10/501—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates having conduits of plastic material
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/30—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with lenses
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
- F24S80/50—Elements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation; Transparent coverings
- F24S80/54—Elements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation; Transparent coverings using evacuated elements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
- F24S80/50—Elements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation; Transparent coverings
- F24S80/56—Elements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation; Transparent coverings characterised by means for preventing heat loss
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2220/00—Application
- F05B2220/70—Application in combination with
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/46—Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/4935—Heat exchanger or boiler making
- Y10T29/49355—Solar energy device making
Definitions
- FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an ocean-based full spectrum system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 1D is a block diagram illustrating an ocean-based system of integrated production of sustainable economic development in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 1E is a block diagram illustrating a solar ocean thermal energy conversion system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view of a sectioned solar collector assembly in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of a solar collector having a web within the insulating spaces in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view of a sectioned solar collector assembly having linear lenses in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a solar collector for use with various water currents in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a supplemented OTEC system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a supplemented OTEC system having multiple solar collector assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 900 of an OTEC plant supplemented by multiple spiral assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of an OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector barges in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view 1100 of a solar collector assembly configured to directly heat a working fluid used by a heat engine in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 1200 of a land-based OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an OTEC plant supplemented by heat from geological formations in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an OTEC system supplemented by geothermal energy in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for integrating an OTEC system with other energy generation systems in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for integrating an OTEC system with methane release mechanisms in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
- the system includes a solar collector configured to warm ocean water provided to a heat engine, such as the water provided to a vaporizer.
- a heat engine such as the water provided to a vaporizer.
- the warmed water enables the vaporizer to vaporize a working fluid and propel a turbine, generating electricity, among other things.
- the system provides water from the surface of the ocean to the heat engine that is at a temperature higher than the water at the surface of the ocean. This causes an increased temperature difference between the water provided to the vaporizer and water from lower areas of the ocean that is provided to a condenser of the heat engine, thereby increasing the efficiency of the thermal energy conversion system, among other benefits.
- the system in some embodiments, provides affordable and dependable energy for sustainable economic development by harnessing solar and other forms of energy to produce electricity, hydrogen, and so on.
- the system may utilize various components of an OTEC system, such as a working fluid, as an energy exchange mechanism between various energy sources and generative systems.
- OTEC system such as a working fluid
- the integration of a supplemented OTEC system with other systems allows for various energy sources to increase the efficiency of operation of the OTEC system, and for the OTEC system in turn to increase the efficiency of production of various generative systems.
- the system therefore, may realize a sustainable economic benefit of resources found in the world's oceans, among other benefits.
- the SOTEC system provides the following benefits:
- SOTEC Supplemented Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
- FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) system 100 .
- the SOTEC system 100 includes an OTEC system or plant 110 and a supplement 102 , such as a supplement of solar energy, heat, resources, other forms of renewable energy, and so on.
- a supplement 102 such as a supplement of solar energy, heat, resources, other forms of renewable energy, and so on.
- the OTEC system may provide energy, resources, and other benefits to various supplement sources.
- the OTEC system may provide electricity to an electrolyzer or may provide ammonia to a fuel storage center.
- the system may provide a cyclical path of energy and resources that facilitates a sustainable economic development of resources, among other benefits
- the OTEC system 110 includes various components used to generate electricity and other resources, such as heat engine components, water transport components, and so on.
- the supplement 102 provides energy to the OTEC system 110 to increase the efficiency of operation of the OTEC system, among other benefits.
- the system enables the sustainable production of hydrogen, carbon, and other resources.
- the system harnesses energy during and as a result of the sustainable production of resources.
- the system provides for sustainable economic development by refining renewable energy input into the system and, therefore, achieving economic multiplying effects on feedstock, resources, and other substances within the system.
- the system is a full-spectrum system for use in ocean and other water-based regions of the world.
- FIG. 1B shows the Full Spectrum Integrated Production System 113 , composed of three interrelated systems, that include The Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 for Renewable Energy Production and Materials Resource Extraction, The Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 for Renewable Nutrient Regimes (human, animal and plant nutrition) and Energy Feedstock Production (biomass, biowaste and biofuel), and Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 for Sustainable Materials Resource Production and Zero Emissions Manufacturing.
- FIG. 1B shows system 113 as the integration of systems 119 , 121 , and 123 to enable exchange of energy, materials and information among these systems.
- System 113 integration, and particularly methods within system 119 utilizes the thermodynamic properties of multiple interrelated heat engines thermally coupled to form a thermodynamic whole-system in order to function effectively as a very large heat engine, which is able to achieve increased beneficial production capacity and efficiency.
- system 119 is particularly dedicated to achieve synergistic linkage among solar thermal, geothermal, ocean thermal, and engine thermal sources so as to increase the total available renewable energy output of the particular site location, and to provide energy and extracted material resources to systems 121 and 123 .
- the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 is thermally coupled to function effectively as a single large heat engine, whose systems and subsystems are interrelated to establish energy cascades, using working fluids that are heated in two or more stages.
- the total available renewable energy output of system 119 is increased by systematically moving working fluids between solar, geologic, engine, and other thermal sources to achieve a cascade effect to optimize the thermodynamic properties (such as temperature, pressure, purity, phase shift, and efficiency of energy conversion) of a working fluid.
- Energy output of one stage is re-invested in key processes of another stage so as to operate in a regenerative or autogenous manner with increased efficiency and economy of operation.
- Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 functions include: harvesting, conversion and storage of kinetic, thermal, and radiant energy forms among renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, biomass, and internal combustion engines so as to establish autogenous or regenerative energy cascades among the systems to create aggregating and synergistic benefits that cannot be achieved by harvesting, conversion and storage of any one renewal energy source alone.
- Autogenous or regenerative energy methods are practiced in systems 119 , 121 , and 123 .
- system 119 is directed to materials resource extraction of numerous chemicals for use in systems 121 and 123 .
- thermochemical regeneration is used as a means of extracting carbon as a raw material (extraction can take place in systems 119 , 121 and 123 ) for subsequent manufacturing production of durable goods at system 123 .
- thermochemical regeneration can also be used as a means of extracting nitrogen and trace minerals for subsequent manufacturing production of plant fertilizers for use in system 121 .
- system 119 is directed to biowaste, biomass and biofuel conversion, typically to achieve bio-methane gas and/or hydrogen gas storage, transport and use on-demand at systems 119 , 121 and 123 as fuels for internal combustion engines and/or fuel cells for electrical power generation and/or transportation.
- Food production at system 121 can be installed on both land and ocean sites. Crop farms, cattle farms, ranches, industrial production facilities for pork and chicken, fresh water fisheries, ocean fisheries, dairy farms, and so on can be linked to system 119 as consumers of the energy produced in system 119 , but in turn produce waste by-products which are diverted to system 119 for conversion to renewable energy and renewable materials resources. Further, system 121 is directed to increased Energy Feedstock Production for such biofuel crops, such as algae, switch grass and other crops to increase the viability of photosynthesis-based energy harvesting. Method and apparatus for water production, purification, and conservation are used in each of the systems of production 119 , 121 and 123 . However, these are important components of system 121 in order to satisfy requirements for large quantities of water in food production and to overcome the documented problem of unsustainability due to waste and fouling of water by conventional food production practices.
- System integration enables the increase in production capacity for “economic scalability”—defined as significant increase of production of energy, materials, and food that is achieved by the ability to replicate numerous aggregative installation sites, and to increase the number of available site locations by greatly improved adaptability to the diverse climate regions (i.e., adaptively harvesting renewable energy by accommodating the varied resource characteristics of temperate, tropical and arctic climates).
- economic scalability is required to increase the earth's carrying capacity to sustain continued rapid human population growth, and rapidly increasing energy requirements of developing nations.
- production methods and locations must be immediately usable, and must present an economically viable alternative to current production means of energy, materials, and food production as compared to using conventional fossil fuel and/or nuclear energy sources.
- System integration further enables a zero-emissions and zero-waste method of energy production 119 , materials production 123 , and food production 121 , wherein: organic waste generated in the system 121 that would otherwise be burned, buried, or dumped in landfills, aquifers, streams, oceans, or emitted into the atmosphere as pollutants is instead systematically channeled into biomass, biowaste, and biofuel conversions systems as found in system 119 ; energy and material resource extraction in system 119 is passed to system 123 for production of durable goods; energy and material resource extraction in system 119 is also passed to system 121 for production of nutrient regimes for humans, animals and plant life on land and ocean.
- System integration establishes a single unit of economic production that: intentionally links energy production with food production and materials resource production in such a way that these function as an interdependent whole.
- the Full Spectrum Integrated Production System is thus suitable for installation in locations or communities where no comparable renewable energy infrastructure currently exists, or where manufacturing capabilities are deficient and unemployment is the norm, or where food production is deficient and poverty and malnourishment is the norm.
- the goal of introducing this unified method of economic production is to enable increases in gross domestic product (GDP) with the increased quality of life that accompanies GDP, and systematic job creation with the improved quality of life that accompanies meaningful employment.
- GDP gross domestic product
- system integration establishes a single unit of economic production that intentionally links waste management with energy conversion practices so that they function as an interdependent whole to interrupt conventional waste practices of burn, bury, and dump that lead to pollution and environmental degradation.
- the Full Spectrum Integrated Production System introduces use of sustainable waste-to-energy conversion as an integrated practice across the whole system.
- the goal of this integrated system is to protect the natural environment, conserve finite natural resources, reduce communicable disease, and reduce land, water and air pollution (including reduction in greenhouse gas drivers of climate change, such as methane and CO2).
- the Full Spectrum Integrated Production System 113 provides a means to achieve an “industrial ecology,” in which the human-systems production environment mimics natural ecosystems: where energy and materials flow among systems and wastes become inputs for new processes in a closed-loop manner, yet the whole system is open to the renewable, sustainable energy provided by sun (solar thermal), earth (geothermal), ocean (ocean thermal), and biomass conversion (engine thermal) systems.
- FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating components of an ocean-based full spectrum system 113 .
- the full spectrum system 113 includes an energy park 119 for renewable energy production.
- the energy park is an OTEC system.
- the energy park includes renewable energy sources such as solar energy sources, wind energy sources, wave energy sources, geothermal energy sources, engines, biofuel sources, and so on.
- the full spectrum system also includes an industrial park 123 for renewable material resources production.
- the industrial park may generate various resources such as carbon, hydrogen, methane, and so on.
- the full spectrum system also includes an agribusiness network 121 for renewable nutrient regime production, such as sustainable farming, fishing, and ranching.
- FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a Full Spectrum Integrated Production System 113 of sustainable economic development, which includes the production of energy (e.g., electricity and fuels) concurrent with the production of nutrient regimes (e.g., products for human, animal, or plant nutrition) and the production of materials resources (e.g., hydrogen and carbon).
- the system 113 is comprised of integrated and interdependent sub-systems with adaptive control of autogenous cascading energy conversions that captures and reinvests some or all of the energy, substances and/or byproducts of each sub-system.
- the continued operation of the system 113 is sustained with the introduction of minimal or no external energy or materials resources.
- the system 113 is an example of industrial ecology which facilitates sustainable economic development, such as the harnessing of renewable energy, the production of foods, and the production of materials resources, which is greater production of energy, foods, and materials resources than is achievable using conventional techniques, among other benefits.
- a Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 coordinates methods of capturing energy from renewable sources 129 (e.g., solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, rejected heat) with methods of producing energy from renewable feedstocks 131 (e.g., biowaste 145 , biomass 143 ) and methods of producing materials resources (e.g., hydrogen 133 , carbon 135 , other materials resources such as trace minerals 137 , pure water 139 ). Energy is stored, retrieved, and transported using methods of adaptive control of autogenous cascading energy conversions that generate a multiplier effect in the production of energy. During the energy harvesting and production processes, materials resources (e.g., hydrogen and carbon) are extracted from biowaste and biomass feedstocks used in the production of renewable energy.
- the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 stores, retrieves, transports, monitors, and controls said energy and said resources to achieve improved efficiencies in the production of energy, materials resources, and nutrient regimes.
- Some of the produced energy 129 , 131 is provided to the Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 . Some of the produced energy 129 , 131 is provided to the Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 . Some of the produced energy 129 , 131 is reinvested in the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 . Some of the produced energy 201 , 131 is provided to external recipients and/or added to the national electricity grid and/or the national gas pipeline.
- a Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 receives renewable energy produced by the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 to power the functions of farming, animal husbandry, and fishery sub-systems. This includes renewable fuels for farm equipment, vehicles, boats and ships, and electricity for light, heat, mechanical equipment, and so on.
- the Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 receives materials resources and byproducts such as other materials resources (e.g., trace minerals 137 ) and pure water 139 produced by the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 to enrich nutrient regimes in farming, animal husbandry, and fishery sub-systems and to produce increased efficiencies in the production of plant crops 149 and animal crops 151 .
- materials resources and byproducts such as other materials resources (e.g., trace minerals 137 ) and pure water 139 produced by the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 to enrich nutrient regimes in farming, animal husbandry, and fishery sub-systems and to produce increased efficiencies in the production of plant crops 149 and animal crops 151 .
- the Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 harvests energy feedstock and supplies it to the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 for use in the production of renewable energy.
- Suitable feedstock includes biomass 143 (e.g., crop slash), biowaste 145 (e.g., sewage, agricultural waste water, meat packing wastes, effluent from fisheries), biofuel stock 147 (e.g., algae, switchgrass), and so on.
- a Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 ruses renewable energy produced by the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 to power the functions of sustainable materials resources production and zero-emissions manufacturing.
- the Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 invests materials resources 133 , 135 and byproducts 137 received from the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 to produce additional materials resources (e.g., designer carbon 157 and industrial diamonds 159 ).
- additional materials resources e.g., designer carbon 157 and industrial diamonds 159 .
- the Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 uses materials resources and byproducts received from the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 to manufacture products such as carbon-based green energy machines 155 , including solar thermal devices 155 , wind turbines 155 , water turbines 155 , electrolyzers 155 , internal combustion engines and generators 155 , automobile, ship and truck parts 161 , semiconductors 163 , nanotechnologies 165 , farm and fishery equipment 167 , and so on.
- carbon-based green energy machines 155 including solar thermal devices 155 , wind turbines 155 , water turbines 155 , electrolyzers 155 , internal combustion engines and generators 155 , automobile, ship and truck parts 161 , semiconductors 163 , nanotechnologies 165 , farm and fishery equipment 167 , and so on.
- the Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 provides some or all of these products and byproducts to the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 and the Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 .
- the Full Spectrum Energy Park 119 uses solar thermal devices 155 , wind turbines 155 , water turbines 155 , electrolyzers 155 , internal combustion engines and generators 155 , and so on that are produced and provided by the Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 to produce renewable energy.
- the Full Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 uses internal combustion engines and generators 155 , farm and fishery equipment 167 and other devices produced and provided by the Full Spectrum Industrial Park 123 to produce nutrient regimes.
- the energy produced by the Full Spectrum Integrated Production System 113 provides power for all the sub-systems, including reinvesting energy to drive the further production of renewable energy. Concurrently, the some or all of the products and byproducts produced in the system 113 are invested in the functions of all the sub-systems. At the same time, the wastes produced by the system 113 are captured and used as feedstock for the functions of all the sub-systems.
- the integrated and interdependent sub-systems use adaptive controls to manage autogenous cascading energy conversions and autogenous regeneration of materials resources. Thus, the system constantly reinvests renewable energy, sustainable materials resources, and other byproducts into the different sources and processes of the sub-systems (Energy Park, Agribusiness Network, Industrial Park).
- the system 113 harnesses larger amounts of the supplied energy and resource from various resources within the system than is achievable with conventional means.
- This industrial symbiosis generates a multiplying effect on the amounts of various resources and energy harvested from renewable feedstock and byproduct sources within the system, adding value, reducing costs, and improving the environment, among other benefits.
- FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a Full Spectrum Integrated Production System 113 showing various exemplary functional zones for an ocean-based system.
- the systems shown include an integrated production system on land or ocean with adaptive control of cascading energy conversions and autogenous regeneration of materials resources and production of nutrient regimes.
- the system includes functional zones for purposes of harvesting and/or generating energy from renewable sources and harvesting material resources from renewable feedstocks that store, retrieve, transport, monitor and control the energy and material resources to achieve improved efficiencies in the production of energy, material resources, and nutrient regimes.
- Table 1 below expands on exemplary outputs, systems and means associated with the illustrative functional zones.
- the system includes functional zones for purposes of: Functional harvesting and/or generating energy from renewable sources Zones harvesting material resources from renewable feedstocks that stores, retrieves, transports, monitors, and controls said energy and material resources to achieve improved efficiencies in the production of energy, material resources, and nutrient regimes.
- Zone Outputs Systems and Means Energy Harvested renewable energy solar thermal devices Harvesting from sources such as: wind turbines Zone solar moving water turbines wind, heat conversion devices geothermal electrol zers moving water adaptive control of biomass & biowaste autogenous cascading engine thermal energy conversions rejected heat Energy Renewable: hydrogen-fueled internal Production electricity combustion engines Zone gaseous fuels (e.g., generators hydrogen, methane, CNG) biomass/biowaste liquid fuels (e.g., methane, conversion systems biodiesel, HyBoost) electrolyzers energy carrier feedstock Geologic amplification of heat energy geothermal reservoirs Storage and in stored gases wind turbines Retrieval reclamation of existing gas pressurization systems Zone chemical and trace mineral heat conversion devices resources mitigation of the variability of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind) Energy Delivery of: energy storage and Transport scalable on-demand filtration system Zone electricity pressurized hydrogen and gaseous fuels (e.g., other gases hydrogen, methane, CNG) hydrogen-fueled trucks, liquid fuel
- the supplement 102 is an assembly capable of generating and providing heat captured from solar energy to an OTEC plant 110 .
- FIG. 1E is a block diagram 105 illustrating a supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion system using solar energy as the supplement 102 .
- An OTEC plant 110 includes a vaporizer 111 , a condenser 112 , a turbine 113 , conduits 114 , 115 , 116 that contain and transport a working fluid 130 to/from the other components, and an optional pump 117 that moves the working fluid from the condenser to the vaporizer.
- the OTEC plant 110 also includes a surface water inlet pipe 140 that transports relatively warm water 145 from the ocean surface into the vaporizer 111 , and a deep water inlet pipe 150 that transports relatively cold water 155 from the depths of the ocean into the condenser 112 .
- a solar collector 120 is coupled to the surface water inlet pipe 140 .
- the solar collector 120 receives the surface water 145 , warms the surface water to a higher temperature, and provides the warmer water 147 to the vaporizer 111 of the OTEC system 110 .
- the OTEC system 110 being supplemented with water warmed using a solar collector, operates at an increased efficiency with respect to non-supplemented, conventional OTEC systems, among other benefits.
- FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 200 for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion system.
- a solar collector receives water from a surface of the ocean.
- the solar collector warms the received water.
- the solar collector provides the warmed water to an OTEC system.
- the solar collector provides the warmed water to a vaporizer operating as part of a heat engine within the OTEC system.
- the Carnot efficiency limit is about 6.7% for operation, given surface water temperatures of 25 to 27 degrees C. and deep water temperatures at about 5 degrees Celsius.
- Providing a supplement to an OTEC system can improve the overall efficiency, regardless of the type of heat engine and/or chosen thermal cycle.
- the supplement can improve the efficiency of an OTEC system operating a Rankine cycle with a working fluid of ammonia, halogenated hydrocarbons, propane and/or hydrocarbon mixtures.
- the supplement can improve the efficiency of an OTEC system having a “Claude” type of operation, in which water vapor is flashed from warm surface conditions into a vacuum and expanded across an expander to produce work, before being condensed by heat exchange with cold water from the depths of the ocean.
- the supplement can improve the efficiency of an OTEC system using mist lift systems, such as two-stage mist lift systems.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view 300 of a sectioned solar collector assembly 300 .
- the assembly 300 includes a web of polymer based walls, including a top wall 311 , side wall 313 , and bottom wall 312 forming a top section 310 having an insulating air space 315 and a top wall 331 , side wall 333 , and bottom wall 332 forming a bottom section 330 having an insulating air space 335 .
- the relatively thin polymer walls and/or spaces formed by the walls trap solar energy.
- the trapped solar energy heats water contained by channel 320 in sub-channels 325 formed by the walls 312 , 331 , and 314 .
- the trapped solar energy also prevents evaporative cooling of water contained by the channel 320 .
- the channel 320 enables the assembly 300 to receive water from the ocean, store the water in the assembly, heat the water in the assembly, and transport the water to a destination, such as a heat engine that is part of an ocean thermal energy conversion system.
- the solar collector assembly 300 may be weld-fabricated using large rolls of sheet stock, or extruded and/or extrusion blow-molded as an integral assembly with the insulating air space(s) formed by various walls.
- Current polymer technology provides thin films that are strong, of low gas and moisture permeability, low cost, and capable of being tailored for applications such as the high volume production of “bubble pack” and other types of packaging.
- the solar collector assembly 300 may utilize such materials in manufacturing “clear” or relatively transparent walls used to transmit the full spectrum (i.e. all wavelengths) of energy received from the sun to water stored in or transported by the channel 325 .
- the solar collector assembly 300 may utilize clear or transparent materials for walls 311 , 312 , and utilize dark or opaque materials (e.g., carbon microcrystals) for other walls, such as walls 332 , 314 . Further details regarding the use of various materials in manufacturing opaque walls may be found in related copending applications referenced and incorporated above.
- the selective use of materials having different light transmission properties and characteristics allows the assembly 300 to conductively and/or radiatively heat water passing through the channel 315 to high temperatures, such as temperatures of 30-45 degrees C. Of course, other factors may contribute to realized temperatures, such as the velocity of the water, the surrounding wind chill, the currents in the ocean, the available solar energy (insolation), and so on.
- Warming and providing water at such temperatures can increase the operation efficiency of the OTEC system, as described above.
- using a suitable thermodynamic cycle with heat rejections at deep water temperatures of 4-6 degrees C. providing ocean water at a temperature of 35 degrees C. improves the Carnot efficiency limit from 6.7% to about 9.7%, and heating the ocean water to 45 degrees C. improves the Carnot efficiency limit to about 12.6%.
- the solar collector assembly 300 is fabricated using polymer films with air cells similar to those in “bubble-pack” assemblies.
- the solar collector assembly 300 is extruded from a barge or ship using an extrusion die pressure fed by an extruder to convert transparent polymer feed stock, such as pellets, into the walls 311 , 312 , while another extruder delivers black polymer feed stock to convert the feed stock into the walls 314 , 331 , 332 .
- Such fabrication techniques facilitate large solar collector lengths (e.g. 1-10 miles) or other specific lengths necessary for collection of specific energy levels needed by an OTEC plant.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view 400 of a solar collector assembly having closed air cells.
- the solar collector assembly includes a channel 320 and insulating spaces 310 and 330 .
- Closures or depressions 410 and 420 are formed on the insulating spaces. For example, deforming and welding walls together creates the depressions and a panel assembly that floats on water.
- the depressions may be covered with a thin plastic strip (not shown) to create smooth surfaces on the top and bottom of the solar collector assembly.
- the depressions may be used to hold suitable stiffeners and/or weights to lower the center of gravity of the assembly.
- the solar collector assembly may overcome or prevent convective current losses by adding a horizontal web 510 , 520 to the insulating spaces 310 , 330 .
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view 500 of a solar collector having a web 510 within the insulating spaces.
- the web 510 , 520 provides an additional layer or wall in which to contain heat within the insulating spaces and/or within the channel 320 .
- the web 510 , 520 may be within one or both spaces, and may be fabricated from clear or opaque materials, depending on the needs of an OTEC system.
- FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view of a sectioned solar collector assembly 600 having linear lenses.
- the assembly 600 includes lenses 610 having insulating spaces formed from walls 612 , 614 , 620 , and the lenses, and a channel 625 that stores ocean water and receives the heat captured by the insulating spaces 615 .
- the lenses 610 refract and collect early morning and/or late afternoon sunlight that would normally reflect from flatter walls of an assembly.
- the lens in some cases, provide a better daily conversion of solar energy to heat, and provide trussing of the assembly to improve the strength and rigidity of the assembly, among other benefits.
- Some of the lenses 610 and walls 612 , 614 , 620 may be fabricated of material that transmits the entire solar spectrum, while other lenses may be fabricated of material that transmits infrared wavelengths corresponding to 50 degrees C. or cooler.
- the walls may be opaque in order to convert solar radiation into heat, which warms water passing through the channel 625 .
- the air in space 615 insulates the warm water in the channel 625 . Applying a coating to the walls 612 , 614 , 620 allows for refection of infrared wavelengths to 50 degrees C. or cooler.
- a solar collector assembly may overcome or prevent convective current losses by filling the insulating spaces with a gas having a lower thermal conductivity than air.
- Table 1 shows the relative thermal conductivity of gases suitable for filling the insulating spaces.
- carbon dioxide and argon offer a much lower thermal conductivity than air, and provide a greater insulation to the warm water in the channel.
- some selected gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride, or an oxide of nitrogen, may also block or inhibit the loss of heat by IR radiation from the heated water.
- the solar collector assembly may include pressurized insulating spaces to strengthen or rigidize the solar collector assembly.
- the solar collector assembly may be fabricated from low permeability materials or composite layers or surface treatments to hold air or other less-conductive gases under various desirable pressures within the insulating spaces.
- FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a device 650 for producing pressurized gases for a solar collector assembly.
- Pressurized oxygen is delivered through a port 652 to a ceramic chamber 654 where a carbon donor 656 is combusted to produce carbon dioxide.
- Thermal transfer to carbon donor 656 may be achieved with induction heating coils 658 .
- the carbon donor 656 may be any suitable source of carbon, including polymers selected from ocean trash accumulations and other substances such as paraffin and polyethylene, or carbon in the form of a cylindrical bar stock, as shown.
- Electrodes 662 , 664 provide plasma to ignite the carbon donor bar stock 656 .
- Carbon dioxide is delivered to the device by a port 660 .
- Retracting the carbon donor bar stock 656 allows rotation of a check ball valve 668 to cut off the oxygen and extinguish the reaction, possibly ending the production of carbon dioxide. If present, water vapor may be left as an IR blocker gas, or may be trapped or filtered out of the device, depending upon ambient conditions such as temperature and/or pressure changes.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a solar collector for use with water currents.
- the solar collector assembly 700 includes layers of thin, transparent polymers that may hold insulating gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide) in an insulating space 710 to trap solar energy in the water 715 beneath the collector. The trapped energy may prevent evaporative cooling of the water 715 , or may provide heated water 715 as a supplement to an OTEC plant.
- insulating gas e.g., air or carbon dioxide
- Such an assembly, or “Solar Collector Barge,” 700 includes thin transparent glazing(s) 711 , 712 spaced apart by connecting web(s) 713 for maximizing the solar energy trapping and insulating functionality of the assembly.
- the layer 712 may reflect and/or absorb wavelengths corresponding to radiation from substances at 50 degrees C. or cooler, to effectively trap and retain solar energy in the water 715 .
- the assembly may include subsurface extensions of gas-insulated walls 720 at the edges, and flood cells 722 with water or provide additional stiffeners and/or weights as needed to stabilize the assembly in the water.
- the assembly may be straight or curved in configuration in order to cancel or provide Coriolis acceleration as the water 717 travels into and out of the barge
- the barge 700 may include stiffening panels to the vertical sides 720 or include stiffener truss struts and braces below or above the waterline between the vertical sides 720 .
- the barge may include position thrusters to achieve and maintain a desired position and orientation of the barge 700 in an ocean current or stream.
- the barge 700 and various layers are formed by extrusion to create extrusion blow-molded structures that incorporate polymer preparations including recycled and/or reconstituted polymers derived from ocean trash.
- Components of the barge may collect polymer articles that have been discarded into the ocean and thermoplastically reform or otherwise chemically alter and/or incorporate certain ingredients to form mixtures or alloys of the walls of the barge.
- ships or barges may operate in the ocean on feedstock including materials recovered from ocean trash accumulations and/or on land-based plants that utilize discarded or conventionally discarded polymer products to prevent such materials from being added to the trash accumulations in the world's oceans.
- FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 800 of a supplemented OTEC system.
- the system includes an OTEC plant 810 surrounded by a synergistic heat-conserving spiral formed solar collector assembly 820 .
- the spiral assembly 820 may be stabilized with high-strength carbon reinforced polymer netting (not shown) that extends across the top and bottom of the spiral assembly.
- additional support and stabilization may be provided by occasional tie-lines from the top netting to the bottom layer.
- the netting may be electrometric in applications that have extreme variations in ambient temperature, allowing each spiral length and width to change in order to accommodate thermal contraction and expansion.
- additional support and stabilization may be provided by thin strips of polymers, such as strips used to cover various formed seams.
- additional support and stabilization may be provided to each additional spiral layer by a suitable adhesive, or by welding to fasten the assembly.
- additional support and stabilization may be provided with high strength radial cables or straps along with circumferential straps.
- the resulting spiral assembly is self-stabilizing despite being formed of inexpensive thin polymer walls.
- the assembly may be configured to provide air-cushioned vehicle travel over the spiral collector assembly 820 for personnel travel to and from the OTEC plant 810 in the center of the spiral.
- the spiral assembly 820 In operation, water from the surface of the ocean enters the spiral assembly 820 at an inlet opening 824 . The water travels through the assembly, receiving heat from the spiral assembly during the transport. The water is provided to the OTEC plant 810 via an outlet opening 822 coupled to the OTEC plant 810 .
- the assembly 820 may include fewer or more spirals than shown in the Figure, may be partially spiraled, may be longitudinal, or may be assume many other configurations as needed.
- the supplemented OTEC systems described herein improve upon the material-utilization efficiencies of conventional OTEC plants that require use of insulated pipes to pump ocean water from considerable distances in order to provide the highest available water temperature from the surface and the coldest available temperature from the ocean depths, among other things.
- the spiral assembly in some embodiments, facilitates the delivery of heated water at a desired temperature and facilitates the collection of warm temperature water near the spiral assembly.
- a spiral thin-walled assembly provides a higher thermal efficiency over long pipes used to pump water from large distances.
- Example materials include polyolefins, polyvinyl fluoride (C 2 H 3 F) n , polyvinylidene fluoride (C 2 H 2 F 2 ) n , and numerous other high temperature polymers, including materials that have been discarded into the world's oceans.
- the assembly 820 is fabricated using U.V. resistant fluoropolymers, including modifications such as polyvinyl-fluoride, for transparent layers, and is fabricated using polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for the black or selective transmission layers that enhance the solar gain in portions of the assembly.
- FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 850 of a supplemented OTEC system having multiple solar collector assemblies.
- the OTEC system includes an OTEC plant 860 on a barge or ship, and two or more solar collector assemblies 820 that provide heated water to the OTEC plant.
- the utilization of multiple solar collector assemblies 820 allows solar energy to be stored in a “bank” of collectors for supplying hot water to the OTEC plant 860 at night and/or during overcast weather.
- the OTEC plant 860 is supplemented by water heated by one or more collector assemblies 820 , while one or more additional solar collector assemblies heat and store the heated water for later use.
- the collector water inlet is located on the inside of the spiral to prevent debris from clogging inlet filters.
- the water in the solar collector assemblies that store the heated water may be heated to 65 degrees C. in order to realize an extra high efficiency of operation and/or to mix the hottest water with unheated sea water to produce warm water at 45 degrees C. for extending the operation time of a supplemented OTEC plant 860 at night and/or during overcast days.
- the solar collector assemblies 820 may be wound clockwise or counterclockwise, although in some cases they are configured to provide Coriolis acceleration from the inlet to the outlet of the water being heated.
- FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 865 of a supplemented OTEC system having multiple solar collector assemblies and multiple barges and OTEC plants.
- the system includes two or more solar collector assemblies 820 and two or more barges 860 , 862 , 864 , 866 .
- the multiple barges may include one or more OTEC plants supplemented by the heated water from the solar collector assemblies, and may include other types of energy generating systems and plants, such as hydrogen generation plants, carbon generation plants, and so on. That is, the system may facilitate supplementing an OTEC plant with other generative processing systems, such as those described herein.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 900 of an OTEC plant supplemented by multiple spiral assemblies.
- the OTEC plant 910 receives the delivery of heated water from three spiral assemblies 920 interchangeably coupled to solar collector barge 860 by connector elements 925 .
- the length of the spiral assemblies provides for delivery of solar heated water during the night, such as for certain applications that utilize night periods for leveling electrical loads (e.g., operations that include the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen at night).
- the heating and storing of heated water within the spiral assemblies facilitates improved day and night thermal efficiencies, among other benefits.
- the production of hydrogen by electrolysis at night facilitates electricity sales at night that improve the return on investment for expensive OTEC plants, among other benefits.
- the surface length, width, and depth of heated water is proportioned to deliver the thermal requirements of an OTEC plant while utilizing the natural momentum of ocean currents and enables very low cost solar collection, storage and delivery to an OTEC plant.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 1000 of an OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector barges. Natural or created ocean currents of relatively warm water moving toward an OTEC plant 1010 are heated by two or more solar collector barges 1020 for delivery and/or storage of the heated water to optimize the operations of the OTEC plant 1010 . In some cases, the depth of suitably heated water would increase as the water passes through the barges 1020 , and/or would change in cross-sectional proportions, as needed, to optimize the efficient operation of heat exchangers in the OTEC plant 1010 .
- FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view 1100 of a solar collector assembly configured to directly heat a working fluid used by a heat engine.
- the solar collector assembly may directly heat working fluids, such as ethane, propane, butane, ammonia, and/or halogenated hydrocarbons including selected mixtures, for operation of closed or combined cycle OTEC plants.
- working fluids such as ethane, propane, butane, ammonia, and/or halogenated hydrocarbons including selected mixtures.
- Such an assembly may eliminate the need for a biofueling heat exchanger, and may realize a higher temperature achievement for the working fluid over other techniques.
- the solar collector assembly may utilize a thermodynamic cycle such as a Larsen-McAlister cycle, a Brayton cycle, an Ericsson cycle, and/or a Rankine cycle, in which the working fluid is pressurized to provide a greater density and pressure drop for vapor expansion in a power turbine.
- a thermodynamic cycle such as a Larsen-McAlister cycle, a Brayton cycle, an Ericsson cycle, and/or a Rankine cycle, in which the working fluid is pressurized to provide a greater density and pressure drop for vapor expansion in a power turbine.
- the selected working fluid is heated within target tube(s) 1116 .
- the lenses 1102 and 1104 and webs 1106 and 1108 are transparent to solar radiation.
- the solar radiation may be concentrated to a desirable extent by a ratio of the apparent area of 1102 to the apparent area of 1116 .
- the webs 1106 and 1108 serve as light pipes and/or reflective guides to deliver light into the tube(s) 1116 , which may be opaque or transparent, depending upon the optical and chemical properties of the selected working fluid.
- the support and insulated isolation of the tube(s) 1116 may employ opaque polymer webs such as webs 1110 , 1112 and bottom web 1114 , as shown.
- the assembly includes insulated and long-IR-blocking gases, such as carbon dioxide, argon, oxides of nitrogen, or sulfur hexafluoride, in channels 1120 , 1122 , 1124 , and 1126 to trap heat delivered to the fluid in the tube(s) 1116 and to minimize convective, conductive and/or radiative losses from the tube(s) 1116 .
- the channels 1118 , 1120 , 1122 , and 1124 are designed to have the volume/pressure needed for desired submergence and/or to adjust the buoyancy or rigidity of the assembly.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view 1200 of a land-based OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector assemblies.
- An OTEC plant 1212 on land 1210 is supplemented by various different types of solar collector assemblies, including a spiral collector assembly 1224 and linear solar collector 1222 at sea 1220 , and land-based solar collectors 1214 .
- the OTEC plant 1212 may be served by a spiral collector assembly 1224 that is about 1.5 miles in diameter for delivery of collected solar thermal energy sufficient to provide a net output of 10 MW of electricity from the OTEC plant 1212 .
- the OTEC plant 1212 is also served by solar concentrators 1214 , which may be point-focus types for heating hydrogen working fluid to about 800 degrees C. for expansion in a regenerative system based on a heat-engine cycle such as a Stirling cycle, an Ericsson cycle, and/or a Brayton cycle.
- the heat not converted into work and/or electricity by the regenerative energy conversion system may be used to warm incoming ocean water for improving the OTEC efficiency, or rejected to the cold ocean water delivered by conduit 1222 to maximize the overall energy conversion efficiency.
- the system may utilize an extension of the solar collector assembly 1224 as a conduit for continued solar heating and insulation of heated water.
- the system utilizes the heated ocean water from one or more of the solar collector assemblies while one or more additional solar collector assemblies heat and store solar warmed water for use at night.
- an OTEC plant is integrated with other generative systems, such as hydrogen generation systems, methane generation systems, and so on. That is, adding an OTEC plant into a recyclable system used to generate resources may facilitate the increased economic development of resources and nutrient regimes, among other benefits.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram 1300 illustrating an OTEC plant supplemented by heat from geological formations.
- an OTEC plant 1304 is at a location where the water is too cool at the surface or too warm at the depths to support sufficient generation electricity.
- the OTEC plant 1304 is supplemented by heat from a solar collector assembly 1303 and/or by heat from an electrolyzer 1306 or a heat engine 1307 .
- the electrolyzer 1306 and/or heat engine 1307 may utilize on-site and/or pipeline accessed underground storage of hydrogen in a suitable geological formation 1314 , which may or may not bear appreciable amounts of fossil hydrocarbons, to use fuel cells in a regenerative mode to meet sufficient electricity generation standards.
- the size of a pipe 1310 should be sufficient for the storage of hydrogen that is produced. For example, during times of low solar gain or at night the system can meet electricity demands by utilizing hydrogen from the storage pipe 1310 and/or from the subterranean storage reservoir 1314 to power the heat engine 1307 and/or the reversible electrolyzer fuel cell(s) 1306 .
- the additional storage of hydrogen is provided by the delivery of the hydrogen through pipeline 1320 and or through the tube 1302 and/or horizontal extension tube 1312 into depleted petroleum formations and/or other suitable formations such as salt or limestone caverns in continental locations closer to markets for electricity and/or hydrogen.
- North America and other continents include geological formations that are suitably porous and sealed at a depth sufficient to safely and efficiently store hydrogen.
- Such formations have stored methane for millions of years, where organic materials were deposited at the time of their geological development.
- Such formations have also stored hydrogen produced by continental drift-induced collisions of hot olivine and limestone for millions of years.
- pipeline 1320 which connects through valve head 1322 to pipeline 1324 and thus to valve 1338 to supply wellhead and pipe 1316 to subterranean storage 1326 .
- the heat engine 1307 is a rapid start engine that can quickly provide electricity and additional heat to the OTEC plant 1304 to improve the output of the plant.
- the OTEC plant may utilize supplemented energy, such as solar energy, to dissociate hydrocarbons, such as methane hydrates, into hydrogen and carbon.
- the hydrogen can be used in the heat engine 1307 and/or the fuel cell 1306 to provide shaft work and/or electricity.
- the carbon can be used to manufacture durable goods, including wind, wave, hydro and/or solar harnessing equipment. Further details regarding the dissociation of hydrocarbons and other similar processes may be found in related copending applications referenced and incorporated above.
- methane recovered from clathrates and other ocean resources is delivered into pipe 1310 and pressurized by the electrolytic production of hydrogen using the electrolyzer 1306 .
- the thermochemical dissociation of a hydrocarbon compound or polymer or methane from clathrates to produce carbon and hydrogen and/or electrolysis of water to provide pressurized hydrogen is considerably more efficient than operating a mechanical pump to pressurize hydrogen.
- Also adding pressurized hydrogen to methane in a confined space produces a mixture that is at a greater pressure than the methane at the start of hydrogen addition. Accordingly, mixtures of hydrogen and methane are delivered by the pipe 1320 to the land markets depicted or stored in formations 1314 and/or 1326 as needed to improve overall system economics and meet market conditions, among other benefits.
- the storage of hydrogen and/or mixtures of hydrogen and methane in depleted oil and natural gas in reservoirs, such as formation 1326 facilitates the increased recovery of fossil hydrocarbons, among other things.
- the storage of hydrogen improves the permeability of fossil hydrocarbon formations.
- the storage of hydrogen facilitates providing needed heat by directed addition of oxygen and combustion of hydrogen in locations needing the heat, such as for the production of fossil hydrocarbons from tar sands, shale, and depleted oil and natural gas formations.
- Pipeline 1332 delivers the hydrogen to enrich and pressurize natural gas and methane as needed to pipeline 1324 , and/or for storage in formation 1326 , as shown.
- the oxygen produced and pressurized by electrolyzer 1330 is sent to medical and other commercial markets and is delivered through conduit 1334 to combust hydrogen to heat hydrocarbons for increased production from reservoir 1326 , as shown.
- electricity produced by an OTEC plant such as a supplemented OTEC plant
- an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
- supplemental energy such as concentrated solar energy provided by a solar collector, reduces the electrical energy required for electrolysis in the electrolyzer. For example, about 18 grams (one gram mole) of water is decomposed by electrical work equivalent to the free energy of formation AG, which is 237.13 kJ. This process is endothermic and consumes additional energy equal to (T ⁇ S) of 48.7 kJ/mol, which is the work done in expanding the produced hydrogen and oxygen to standard temperature and pressure.
- the system can utilize solar energy and/or waste heat from other processes.
- the additional heat elevates the temperature of the electrolysis because the heat reduces the amount of Gibbs free energy ( ⁇ G) that must be provided as electrical work.
- ⁇ G Gibbs free energy
- E° is dependent upon the change in free energy ( ⁇ G)
- F the Faraday constant
- Equation 3 illustrates the relationship of pressure and voltage requirements. Electrolysis voltage (Ep) can be found by adding the Nernst adjustment for pressure rise to E°:
- Equation 3 is simplified to:
- FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an OTEC system supplemented by geothermal energy.
- an OTEC system utilizes geothermal energy from formations beneath the ocean floor in conjunction with the heat sink of cold water and/or methane ice formations near the ocean floor.
- the OTEC plant may utilize a well that contains new or relatively depleted oil or gas wells in a new cycle. Temperatures of petroleum producing formations beneath ocean floors generally exceed the temperature of the ocean surface.
- the potential efficiency limit for a typical cycle for utilization of heat provided by such formations to working fluids such as those listed in Table 1, copending applications referenced and incorporated above, or by the fluid being extracted from such formations, is summarized in Equation 7:
- Equation 8 When the highest temperature achieved by the working fluid for expansion to produce work is 100° C. (212° F.) and the heat-rejection temperature at the end of work production is at the general temperature of gas hydrates, such as 6° C. (42.8° F.), a limit of efficiency is shown in Equation 8:
- FIG. 14 illustrates operation of an OTEC system 1400 using geothermal resources in conjunction with petroleum production, such as natural gas and/or oil from geothermal formation 1402 , from a suitable vertical well 1404 , or from horizontal extension 1406 .
- the petroleum is delivered to the surface after providing heat exchange to a selected working fluid at a suitable location 1412 , such as near the ocean floor by the pressure of formation 1402 and/or by the assistance of a suitable pump 1408 to provide delivery through insulation system 1410 , as shown.
- Heat is transferred by a suitable heat exchanger such as a countercurrent heat exchanger 1414 to vaporize and/or superheat a suitable working fluid in the circuit with a suitable motor such as a turbine 1416 or 1420 that drives an integral generator for electricity production.
- the vapors from the working fluid expansion and work production are condensed by a heat exchanger 1418 to cold ambient temperature sea water and/or clathrate formations, when the system is further provided with a collection system as described in related copending applications referenced and incorporated above, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the condensed working fluid is heated and revaporized by the heat exchanger 1414 , as shown.
- Petroleum is delivered through delivery device 1424 to the surface by various arrangements, such as a floating or anchored platform 1422 to facilitate pipeline transmission (not shown), tanker delivery, such as by tanker 1426 , and so on.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating integrating an OTEC system 1500 with other energy generation systems.
- the system 1500 transports hot fluid from a geological formation 1501 such as may be found beneath the ocean floor to the surface of the ocean. At or near the surface further heat additions may be provided to improve the energy conversion efficiency from solar, wind, moving water, heat engine, thermochemical regenerator, or fuel cell sources, and/or heating of another working fluid such as evaporant from ocean water provided by flow through pickup 1510 or ammonia (not shown) by counter current heat exchangers 1508 , 1530 , 1520 , and expansion of such working fluid to near the cold temperature of the ocean floor at condenser 1536 as shown to condense the working fluid, which is shown as liquid water 1538 .
- a geological formation 1501 such as may be found beneath the ocean floor to the surface of the ocean.
- further heat additions may be provided to improve the energy conversion efficiency from solar, wind, moving water, heat engine, thermochemical regenerator, or fuel cell sources, and/or heating of
- condensed pure water 1538 at the vapor pressure commensurate with the temperature of the cold ocean floor is delivered by pump 1550 to pipeline 1552 for transport to the surface for deliveries by ships or to land by pipeline 1552 , as shown.
- the condenser 1546 may be placed closer to the ocean surface near the expansion turbine 1544 and the cold water is pumped from cold depths to provide cooling of the vapors traveling downward past turbine 1544 .
- the hot fluid (such as oil, natural gas, and so on) from a suitable well that may include a horizontal collector 1502 is passed upward by formation pressure and/or by additional pressure provided by pump 1503 , as shown, through an insulated conduit assembly 1504 to a suitable heat exchanger 1508 in insulated heat exchange well 1506 , as shown.
- Petroleum is then stored in vessel 1516 on a suitable platform such as energy-barge 1536 for shipment to market, or some or all of the petroleum may be utilized to provide more valuable carbon for production of durable goods along with hydrogen by dissociation, as generally summarized for various hydrocarbons (CxHy) in Equation 9:
- the energy barge 1536 may host one or more solar energy conversion systems, such as concentrators 1526 , one or more wave generators 1524 , and/or one or more wind generators 1556 .
- solar energy conversion systems such as concentrators 1526 , one or more wave generators 1524 , and/or one or more wind generators 1556 .
- the heat in Equation 9 may be provided by harnessing kinetic energy from wind, waves, ocean currents, or solar energy, such as may be provided by a suitable radiation trap and/or point-focus concentrator 1528 or suitable line-focus systems.
- the electricity generators that convert solar, wind, moving water, and/or geothermal energy may be utilized to drive resistive and/or inductive heating systems that supply part or all of the heat shown in Equation 9 to drive the endothermic process shown in Equation 9.
- Hot inventories of hydrogen and carbon produced in reactor 1526 are utilized to provide preheating of hydrocarbons delivered to reactor 1526 by the counter-current heat exchange system described herein, when there is a sufficient thermal gradient to provide the additional heating of water vapors delivered by a suitable filter and pump assembly 1510 .
- hydrogen may be stored in a suitable tank 1532 and carbon for manufacture of durable goods may be stored in tank 1532 .
- photosynthesizing plants are grown in conjunction with the operations described herein, and such plant crops are anaerobically processed to provide thermal dissociation or microbial digestion to produce methane, carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide.
- the hydrogen produced by reactor 1518 may be stored as an energy-dense liquid, such as methanol. Equations 10 and/or 11 summarize processes in which carbon dioxide from one or more suitable sources reacts with hydrogen to form one or more dense, easily stored, and conveniently transported liquids:
- FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 1600 for integrating an OTEC system with methane release mechanisms.
- an OTEC system and other generative systems described herein may be located in areas having earthquakes, changes in ocean currents, ocean warming, land erosion and/or other disturbances that release methane and other greenhouse gases from clathrate deposits.
- the system includes an impervious film 1638 , such as polyethylene, established over an extensive area of such clathrates to contain and deliver released methane, carbon dioxide, water, and other substances that are released from deposits 1644 in response to the heating of the deposits by the circulation of warmed fluid through a conduit 1640 or delivered by the conduit 1640 from sources such as heat exchanger 1630 in a turbine casing 1642 .
- a pipe or conduit 1636 channels to distribute water-born organic and mineral values from the ocean depths including clathrate deposits to the feeding systems for fish, shrimp, oyster beds, etc.
- Suitably cold water from the depths of the ocean and/or from ice and liquid water released from clathrates beneath the film 1638 is delivered to heat exchanger 1630 by pump 1637 .
- the warmed water may be further heated by additional heat exchange from working fluids of various energy conversion processes on platform 1603 , such as OTEC processes, or returned through return conduit 1632 to the methane hydrate formation beneath the film 1638 at a desired rate to controllably release additional methane that is delivered to the surface platform 1603 for solar, wind or moving water driven energy conversion processes that support thermochemical regeneration to produce carbon and hydrogen from such methane.
- Additional hydrogen may be produced by similar dissociation of natural gas and/or oil produced by well 1660 , which in many cases is from a deep geothermally significant formation 1662 , as shown.
- Intake 1616 feed ocean water into solar collector 1602 .
- the water vapor produced by the heat gain from the solar collector 1602 and additional heat contributions rejected from solar dissociation of methane or oil as performed by suitable line-focus or point-focus solar concentrators 1610 and from wind generators 1608 mounted for example on platform 1606 and/or by harnessing moving water such as by wave generators 1612 , 1650 provides electricity through, for example, line 1604 for induction heating of methane and/or oil to produce hydrogen and carbon.
- the wave generators 1612 , 1650 includes a tube generator assembly to provide buoyancy for tensioning the base cable against anchor 1652 .
- Various types of designer carbon products are produced, including super activated carbon that is collected in tanks and warehouses 1614 for distribution to various markets, including renewable resources industrial parks.
- the system 1600 may produce various fertilizers including ammonia or ammonium sulfate, with additions of potassium, phosphorus, iron and various other mineral restoration selections.
- the hydrogen produced by the processes disclosed as in Equation 9 may be reacted with nitrogen that is collected from the atmosphere by various processes, such as those described in copending applications referenced and incorporated above.
- Surplus hydrogen combustion in a heat engine eliminates oxygen and produces water that is separated to provide for a reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen to produce ammonia. Equation 12 summarizes such processes of ammonia production:
- the system may also provide various produced substances to fish hatcheries and and farms and to attract wild fish and other desired marine life along with other entities growing organic matter, such as hatcheries 1664 - 1671 .
- Clathrates such as methane hydrates are warmed to release nutrients including organic substances and trace minerals.
- Such mineral and organic values are delivered by suitable distribution conduits to nourish oysters, shrimp, various fish selections and so on, from suitable pipes such as shown by pipe 1640 .
- the system may utilize various components of an OTEC system, such as a working fluid, as an energy exchange mechanism between various energy sources and generative systems.
- OTEC system such as a working fluid
- the integration of a supplemented OTEC system allows for various energy sources to increase the efficiency of operation of the OTEC system, and for the OTEC system, in turn, to increase the efficiency of production of various generative systems.
- a system providing for the conversion of renewable energy resources into renewable fuels and electricity to serve local and distant markets is described.
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,403, filed Feb. 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE. The present application is a continuation-in-part of each of the following applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/707,651, filed Feb. 17, 2010 and titled ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF; PCT Application No. PCT/US10/24497, filed Feb. 17, 2010 and titled ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/707,653, filed Feb. 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; PCT Application No. PCT/US10/24498, filed Feb. 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/707,656, filed Feb. 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GAS CAPTURE DURING ELECTROLYSIS; and PCT Application No. PCT/US10/24499, filed Feb. 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; each of which claims priority to and the benefit of the following applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/153,253, filed Feb. 17, 2009 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/237,476, filed Aug. 27, 2009 and titled ELECTROLYZER AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE TECHNOLOGIES; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,403, filed Feb. 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE. Each of these applications is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Tropical oceans of the world facilitate operation of giant heat engines between their warm surface waters and their cold deep waters. For example, a typical temperature of the surface waters may be between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, and a typical temperature of the deep waters temperatures may be between 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. Such temperature differences assist the heat engines in vaporizing and condensing a working fluid, which in turn drives a turbine to produce electricity. Such systems are often referred to as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants or systems.
- Unfortunately, there are a number of problems associated with current OTEC systems, including low energy conversion efficiency, a higher cost of operation, and so on. Most ocean locations suitable for conventional OTEC plants are at great distances from population centers and require an expensive and difficult transport mechanism to bring generated energy to market. These extensive infrastructure costs and inherent inefficiencies promote great difficulties in attempts to scale up such operations to meet the world's significant energy needs.
- The need exists for systems and methods that overcome the above problems, as well as provide additional benefits. Overall, the examples herein of some prior or related systems and their associated limitations are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or prior systems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the following Detailed Description.
-
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an ocean-based full spectrum system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a system of integrated production of sustainable economic development in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 1D is a block diagram illustrating an ocean-based system of integrated production of sustainable economic development in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 1E is a block diagram illustrating a solar ocean thermal energy conversion system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view of a sectioned solar collector assembly in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of a solar collector assembly having closed air cells in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of a solar collector having a web within the insulating spaces in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view of a sectioned solar collector assembly having linear lenses in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a device for producing pressurized gases for a solar collector assembly in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a solar collector for use with various water currents in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a supplemented OTEC system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a supplemented OTEC system having multiple solar collector assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 8C is a top view of a solar thermal energy conversion system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 900 of an OTEC plant supplemented by multiple spiral assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of an OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector barges in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating aside view 1100 of a solar collector assembly configured to directly heat a working fluid used by a heat engine in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 1200 of a land-based OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an OTEC plant supplemented by heat from geological formations in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an OTEC system supplemented by geothermal energy in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for integrating an OTEC system with other energy generation systems in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for integrating an OTEC system with methane release mechanisms in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. - The present application incorporates by reference in its entirety the subject matter of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/626,021, filed Nov. 9, 2004 and titled MULTIFUEL STORAGE, METERING AND IGNITION SYSTEM (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8013US). The present application incorporates by reference in their entirety the subject matter of each of the following U.S. Patent Applications, filed concurrently herewith on Aug. 16, 2010 and titled: METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETECTION OF PROPERTIES OF FLUID CONVEYANCE SYSTEMS (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8003US); COMPREHENSIVE COST MODELING OF AUTOGENOUS SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY, MATERIAL RESOURCES AND NUTRIENT REGIMES (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8025US); ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8026US); SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, MATERIALS RESOURCES, AND NUTRIENT REGIMES (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8040US); SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED FULL SPECTRUM PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8041US); SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED FULL SPECTRUM PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8042US); GAS HYDRATE CONVERSION SYSTEM FOR HARVESTING HYDROCARBON HYDRATE DEPOSITS (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8045US); APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR STORING AND/OR FILTERING A SUBSTANCE (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8046US); ENERGY SYSTEM FOR DWELLING SUPPORT (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8047US); ENERGY CONVERSION ASSEMBLIES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE (Attorney Docket No. 69545-8048US); and INTERNALLY REINFORCED STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURING (69545-8049US).
- A supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a solar collector configured to warm ocean water provided to a heat engine, such as the water provided to a vaporizer. The warmed water enables the vaporizer to vaporize a working fluid and propel a turbine, generating electricity, among other things. Using the solar collector, the system provides water from the surface of the ocean to the heat engine that is at a temperature higher than the water at the surface of the ocean. This causes an increased temperature difference between the water provided to the vaporizer and water from lower areas of the ocean that is provided to a condenser of the heat engine, thereby increasing the efficiency of the thermal energy conversion system, among other benefits. Thus, the system, in some embodiments, provides affordable and dependable energy for sustainable economic development by harnessing solar and other forms of energy to produce electricity, hydrogen, and so on.
- In some embodiments, the system may utilize various components of an OTEC system, such as a working fluid, as an energy exchange mechanism between various energy sources and generative systems. The integration of a supplemented OTEC system with other systems allows for various energy sources to increase the efficiency of operation of the OTEC system, and for the OTEC system in turn to increase the efficiency of production of various generative systems. The system, therefore, may realize a sustainable economic benefit of resources found in the world's oceans, among other benefits.
- In some embodiments, the SOTEC system provides the following benefits:
-
- The incorporation of objectionable trash components of polymeric materials that are potentially plentiful for construction of sustainable energy conversion systems capable of overcoming the present dependence on fossil fuels;
- The utilization of highly durable materials that are potentially plentiful for construction of sustainable energy conversion systems capable of overcoming the present dependence on fossil fuels;
- Providing for the economic operation of OTEC plants at locations that are close to coastal population centers;
- The reduction of pumping and/or other auxiliary power requirements used in conventional OTEC plants;
- The prevention of evaporative cooling of ocean water;
- Providing a self-rigidizing structure to prevent evaporation of large areas of ocean water;
- Increasing the operating efficiency of OTEC systems by increasing the temperature of ocean water using a solar collector;
- Increasing the operating efficiency of OTEC systems by increasing the temperature of ocean water or another working fluid by providing heat addition from solar energy;
- Increasing the operating efficiency of OTEC systems by increasing the temperature of ocean water or another working fluid by providing heat addition from another heat engine;
- Increasing the operating efficiency of OTEC systems by increasing the temperature of ocean water or another working fluid by providing heat addition from electrochemical processes.
- Providing renewable fuels from OTEC operations and distributing he fuels by conventional pipeline networks throughout the continents;
- Providing renewable fuels from OTEC operations, storing the fuels in depleted natural gas and oil reservoirs, and distributing the fuels by conventional pipeline networks throughout the continents;
- The utilization of thin films and gas insulation assemblies to trap solar energy;
- The utilization of barrier layers to reduce evaporative cooling of water in ocean thermal energy conversion technology systems;
- Improving the overall efficiency of a heat engine operating according to any thermal cycle in OTEC applications;
- The utilization of barrier layers to reduce convective cooling of water in ocean thermal energy conversion technology systems;
- The utilization of thin films and gas insulation assemblies to trap solar energy and increase the energy content of working fluids in heat engines receives such solar energy;
- Increasing the temperature of water near the surface to improve the efficiency of ocean thermal energy technology systems;
- Increasing the temperature of water near the ocean surface to improve the return on investment of ocean thermal energy technology systems;
- The utilization of internal combustion engines to supply heat to increase the energy-conversion potential of working fluids used in energy conversion processes;
- The utilization of combustion to supply heat to increase the energy conversion potential of gases used in energy conversion processes;
- The utilization of external combustion engines to supply heat to increase the kinetic energy of working fluids utilized in ocean thermal energy conversion processes;
- The integration of numerous sources of low cost energy during the production of high quality electricity;
- The integration of numerous sources of low cost energy for production of high quality hydrogen;
- Providing for the rapid production of stored energy;
- The production of pipeline quality hydrogen for interchangeable shipment with natural gas in existing and new pipelines;
- The production of pipeline quality methane for interchangeable shipment with natural gas in existing and new pipelines;
- The creation and generation of economic development and environmental protection benefits from energy conversion processes;
- The operation of an electrolyzer as a regenerative system;
- The pressurization of fuel delivery by compaction of precursor materials that are gasified to enhance pressure development;
- The pressurization of substances by electrolysis;
- The pressurization of fuel delivery by energy created by electrolysis;
- Providing thermochemical processes in an energy conversion regime;
- Providing rugged, failsafe, low-cost conversion of solar energy and/or other energy resources into hydrogen and/or electricity;
- The utilization of ubiquitous piston and turbine engines in electricity and hydrogen production systems;
- The utilization of hydrogen to transfer heat from rotating electrical equipment;
- The utilization of hydrogen to overcome emissions of hydrocarbons;
- The utilization of hydrogen to overcome emissions of nitrous compounds from heat engines;
- The utilization of hydrogen to overcome emissions of particulates from heat engines;
- The utilization of hydrogen to overcome emissions of carbon compounds;
- The utilization of hydrogen to improve generator efficiency in hybrid and distributed energy applications; among other utilities and benefits.
- Various embodiments of the system will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that the system may be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the various embodiments.
- The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the system. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.
-
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC)system 100. TheSOTEC system 100 includes an OTEC system orplant 110 and asupplement 102, such as a supplement of solar energy, heat, resources, other forms of renewable energy, and so on. - In turn, the OTEC system may provide energy, resources, and other benefits to various supplement sources. For example, the OTEC system may provide electricity to an electrolyzer or may provide ammonia to a fuel storage center. Thus, the system may provide a cyclical path of energy and resources that facilitates a sustainable economic development of resources, among other benefits
- The
OTEC system 110 includes various components used to generate electricity and other resources, such as heat engine components, water transport components, and so on. Thesupplement 102, of which various different forms and configurations will be discussed herein, provides energy to theOTEC system 110 to increase the efficiency of operation of the OTEC system, among other benefits. - In some embodiments, the system enables the sustainable production of hydrogen, carbon, and other resources. In some embodiments, the system harnesses energy during and as a result of the sustainable production of resources. In some embodiments, the system provides for sustainable economic development by refining renewable energy input into the system and, therefore, achieving economic multiplying effects on feedstock, resources, and other substances within the system. Thus, the system is a full-spectrum system for use in ocean and other water-based regions of the world.
- More specifically,
FIG. 1B shows the Full SpectrumIntegrated Production System 113, composed of three interrelated systems, that include The FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 for Renewable Energy Production and Materials Resource Extraction, The FullSpectrum Agribusiness Network 121 for Renewable Nutrient Regimes (human, animal and plant nutrition) and Energy Feedstock Production (biomass, biowaste and biofuel), and FullSpectrum Industrial Park 123 for Sustainable Materials Resource Production and Zero Emissions Manufacturing. -
FIG. 1B showssystem 113 as the integration ofsystems System 113 integration, and particularly methods withinsystem 119, utilizes the thermodynamic properties of multiple interrelated heat engines thermally coupled to form a thermodynamic whole-system in order to function effectively as a very large heat engine, which is able to achieve increased beneficial production capacity and efficiency. Withinsystem 113,system 119 is particularly dedicated to achieve synergistic linkage among solar thermal, geothermal, ocean thermal, and engine thermal sources so as to increase the total available renewable energy output of the particular site location, and to provide energy and extracted material resources tosystems - The Full
Spectrum Energy Park 119 is thermally coupled to function effectively as a single large heat engine, whose systems and subsystems are interrelated to establish energy cascades, using working fluids that are heated in two or more stages. The total available renewable energy output ofsystem 119 is increased by systematically moving working fluids between solar, geologic, engine, and other thermal sources to achieve a cascade effect to optimize the thermodynamic properties (such as temperature, pressure, purity, phase shift, and efficiency of energy conversion) of a working fluid. Energy output of one stage is re-invested in key processes of another stage so as to operate in a regenerative or autogenous manner with increased efficiency and economy of operation. - Full
Spectrum Energy Park 119 functions include: harvesting, conversion and storage of kinetic, thermal, and radiant energy forms among renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, biomass, and internal combustion engines so as to establish autogenous or regenerative energy cascades among the systems to create aggregating and synergistic benefits that cannot be achieved by harvesting, conversion and storage of any one renewal energy source alone. Autogenous or regenerative energy methods are practiced insystems system 119 is directed to materials resource extraction of numerous chemicals for use insystems systems system 123. In another example, thermochemical regeneration can also be used as a means of extracting nitrogen and trace minerals for subsequent manufacturing production of plant fertilizers for use insystem 121. Further,system 119 is directed to biowaste, biomass and biofuel conversion, typically to achieve bio-methane gas and/or hydrogen gas storage, transport and use on-demand atsystems - The manipulation of solar thermal, geothermal, ocean thermal, and engine thermal sources provides a highly adaptive integrated platform for installations of
system 113 at various climate regions of location, and installations that are both land-based and ocean-based. Engineering for increased location adaptability thereby significantly increases the total availability of renewable energy harvesting, and thus provides an economically viable solution for local, regional, national and global economies. - Food production at
system 121 can be installed on both land and ocean sites. Crop farms, cattle farms, ranches, industrial production facilities for pork and chicken, fresh water fisheries, ocean fisheries, dairy farms, and so on can be linked tosystem 119 as consumers of the energy produced insystem 119, but in turn produce waste by-products which are diverted tosystem 119 for conversion to renewable energy and renewable materials resources. Further,system 121 is directed to increased Energy Feedstock Production for such biofuel crops, such as algae, switch grass and other crops to increase the viability of photosynthesis-based energy harvesting. Method and apparatus for water production, purification, and conservation are used in each of the systems ofproduction system 121 in order to satisfy requirements for large quantities of water in food production and to overcome the documented problem of unsustainability due to waste and fouling of water by conventional food production practices. - System integration increases capacity for “sustainability”—defined as increased production of energy, material resources and nutrient regimes using renewable methods to avoid depletion of natural resources and reduce or eliminate destructive environmental impact such as pollution and toxic emissions as by-products of production. Sustainability requires methods of production for energy, materials, and food that are viable for the long-term wellbeing of future generations, not just the immediate short-term benefit of current consumers.
- System integration enables the increase in production capacity for “economic scalability”—defined as significant increase of production of energy, materials, and food that is achieved by the ability to replicate numerous aggregative installation sites, and to increase the number of available site locations by greatly improved adaptability to the diverse climate regions (i.e., adaptively harvesting renewable energy by accommodating the varied resource characteristics of temperate, tropical and arctic climates). Such economic scalability is required to increase the earth's carrying capacity to sustain continued rapid human population growth, and rapidly increasing energy requirements of developing nations. For successful use, such production methods and locations must be immediately usable, and must present an economically viable alternative to current production means of energy, materials, and food production as compared to using conventional fossil fuel and/or nuclear energy sources.
- System integration further enables a zero-emissions and zero-waste method of
energy production 119,materials production 123, andfood production 121, wherein: organic waste generated in thesystem 121 that would otherwise be burned, buried, or dumped in landfills, aquifers, streams, oceans, or emitted into the atmosphere as pollutants is instead systematically channeled into biomass, biowaste, and biofuel conversions systems as found insystem 119; energy and material resource extraction insystem 119 is passed tosystem 123 for production of durable goods; energy and material resource extraction insystem 119 is also passed tosystem 121 for production of nutrient regimes for humans, animals and plant life on land and ocean. - System integration establishes a single unit of economic production that: intentionally links energy production with food production and materials resource production in such a way that these function as an interdependent whole.
- The Full Spectrum Integrated Production System is thus suitable for installation in locations or communities where no comparable renewable energy infrastructure currently exists, or where manufacturing capabilities are deficient and unemployment is the norm, or where food production is deficient and poverty and malnourishment is the norm. The goal of introducing this unified method of economic production is to enable increases in gross domestic product (GDP) with the increased quality of life that accompanies GDP, and systematic job creation with the improved quality of life that accompanies meaningful employment.
- Furthermore, system integration establishes a single unit of economic production that intentionally links waste management with energy conversion practices so that they function as an interdependent whole to interrupt conventional waste practices of burn, bury, and dump that lead to pollution and environmental degradation.
- The Full Spectrum Integrated Production System introduces use of sustainable waste-to-energy conversion as an integrated practice across the whole system. The goal of this integrated system is to protect the natural environment, conserve finite natural resources, reduce communicable disease, and reduce land, water and air pollution (including reduction in greenhouse gas drivers of climate change, such as methane and CO2).
- The Full Spectrum
Integrated Production System 113 provides a means to achieve an “industrial ecology,” in which the human-systems production environment mimics natural ecosystems: where energy and materials flow among systems and wastes become inputs for new processes in a closed-loop manner, yet the whole system is open to the renewable, sustainable energy provided by sun (solar thermal), earth (geothermal), ocean (ocean thermal), and biomass conversion (engine thermal) systems. -
FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating components of an ocean-basedfull spectrum system 113. Thefull spectrum system 113 includes anenergy park 119 for renewable energy production. In some cases, the energy park is an OTEC system. In some cases, the energy park includes renewable energy sources such as solar energy sources, wind energy sources, wave energy sources, geothermal energy sources, engines, biofuel sources, and so on. - The full spectrum system also includes an
industrial park 123 for renewable material resources production. In some cases, the industrial park may generate various resources such as carbon, hydrogen, methane, and so on. The full spectrum system also includes anagribusiness network 121 for renewable nutrient regime production, such as sustainable farming, fishing, and ranching. - More specifically,
FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a Full SpectrumIntegrated Production System 113 of sustainable economic development, which includes the production of energy (e.g., electricity and fuels) concurrent with the production of nutrient regimes (e.g., products for human, animal, or plant nutrition) and the production of materials resources (e.g., hydrogen and carbon). Thesystem 113 is comprised of integrated and interdependent sub-systems with adaptive control of autogenous cascading energy conversions that captures and reinvests some or all of the energy, substances and/or byproducts of each sub-system. Thus, the continued operation of thesystem 113 is sustained with the introduction of minimal or no external energy or materials resources. Thesystem 113 is an example of industrial ecology which facilitates sustainable economic development, such as the harnessing of renewable energy, the production of foods, and the production of materials resources, which is greater production of energy, foods, and materials resources than is achievable using conventional techniques, among other benefits. - A Full
Spectrum Energy Park 119 coordinates methods of capturing energy from renewable sources 129 (e.g., solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, rejected heat) with methods of producing energy from renewable feedstocks 131 (e.g.,biowaste 145, biomass 143) and methods of producing materials resources (e.g.,hydrogen 133,carbon 135, other materials resources such astrace minerals 137, pure water 139). Energy is stored, retrieved, and transported using methods of adaptive control of autogenous cascading energy conversions that generate a multiplier effect in the production of energy. During the energy harvesting and production processes, materials resources (e.g., hydrogen and carbon) are extracted from biowaste and biomass feedstocks used in the production of renewable energy. The FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 stores, retrieves, transports, monitors, and controls said energy and said resources to achieve improved efficiencies in the production of energy, materials resources, and nutrient regimes. - Some of the produced
energy Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121. Some of the producedenergy Spectrum Industrial Park 123. Some of the producedenergy Spectrum Energy Park 119. Some of the producedenergy 201, 131 is provided to external recipients and/or added to the national electricity grid and/or the national gas pipeline. - A Full
Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 receives renewable energy produced by the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 to power the functions of farming, animal husbandry, and fishery sub-systems. This includes renewable fuels for farm equipment, vehicles, boats and ships, and electricity for light, heat, mechanical equipment, and so on. - The Full
Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 receives materials resources and byproducts such as other materials resources (e.g., trace minerals 137) andpure water 139 produced by the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 to enrich nutrient regimes in farming, animal husbandry, and fishery sub-systems and to produce increased efficiencies in the production of plant crops 149 and animal crops 151. - The Full
Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 harvests energy feedstock and supplies it to the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 for use in the production of renewable energy. Suitable feedstock includes biomass 143 (e.g., crop slash), biowaste 145 (e.g., sewage, agricultural waste water, meat packing wastes, effluent from fisheries), biofuel stock 147 (e.g., algae, switchgrass), and so on. - A Full
Spectrum Industrial Park 123 ruses renewable energy produced by the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 to power the functions of sustainable materials resources production and zero-emissions manufacturing. This includes renewable fuels for internal combustion engines (e.g., stationary engines, vehicles) and electricity for light, heat, mechanical equipment, and so on. - The Full
Spectrum Industrial Park 123 investsmaterials resources byproducts 137 received from the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 to produce additional materials resources (e.g.,designer carbon 157 and industrial diamonds 159). - The Full
Spectrum Industrial Park 123 uses materials resources and byproducts received from the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 to manufacture products such as carbon-basedgreen energy machines 155, including solarthermal devices 155,wind turbines 155,water turbines 155,electrolyzers 155, internal combustion engines andgenerators 155, automobile, ship andtruck parts 161,semiconductors 163,nanotechnologies 165, farm andfishery equipment 167, and so on. - The Full
Spectrum Industrial Park 123 provides some or all of these products and byproducts to the FullSpectrum Energy Park 119 and the FullSpectrum Agribusiness Network 121. - The Full
Spectrum Energy Park 119 uses solarthermal devices 155,wind turbines 155,water turbines 155,electrolyzers 155, internal combustion engines andgenerators 155, and so on that are produced and provided by the FullSpectrum Industrial Park 123 to produce renewable energy. - The Full
Spectrum Agribusiness Network 121 uses internal combustion engines andgenerators 155, farm andfishery equipment 167 and other devices produced and provided by the FullSpectrum Industrial Park 123 to produce nutrient regimes. - The energy produced by the Full Spectrum
Integrated Production System 113 provides power for all the sub-systems, including reinvesting energy to drive the further production of renewable energy. Concurrently, the some or all of the products and byproducts produced in thesystem 113 are invested in the functions of all the sub-systems. At the same time, the wastes produced by thesystem 113 are captured and used as feedstock for the functions of all the sub-systems. The integrated and interdependent sub-systems use adaptive controls to manage autogenous cascading energy conversions and autogenous regeneration of materials resources. Thus, the system constantly reinvests renewable energy, sustainable materials resources, and other byproducts into the different sources and processes of the sub-systems (Energy Park, Agribusiness Network, Industrial Park). In this manner, thesystem 113 harnesses larger amounts of the supplied energy and resource from various resources within the system than is achievable with conventional means. This industrial symbiosis generates a multiplying effect on the amounts of various resources and energy harvested from renewable feedstock and byproduct sources within the system, adding value, reducing costs, and improving the environment, among other benefits. -
FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a Full SpectrumIntegrated Production System 113 showing various exemplary functional zones for an ocean-based system. The systems shown include an integrated production system on land or ocean with adaptive control of cascading energy conversions and autogenous regeneration of materials resources and production of nutrient regimes. The system includes functional zones for purposes of harvesting and/or generating energy from renewable sources and harvesting material resources from renewable feedstocks that store, retrieve, transport, monitor and control the energy and material resources to achieve improved efficiencies in the production of energy, material resources, and nutrient regimes. Table 1 below expands on exemplary outputs, systems and means associated with the illustrative functional zones. -
TABLE 1 Full Spectrum Integrated Production System Functional Zones Full Spectrum An integrated production system on land or ocean with adaptive Integrated control of cascading energy conversions and autogenous Production regeneration of materials resources and production of nutrient System regimes. The system includes functional zones for purposes of: Functional harvesting and/or generating energy from renewable sources Zones harvesting material resources from renewable feedstocks that stores, retrieves, transports, monitors, and controls said energy and material resources to achieve improved efficiencies in the production of energy, material resources, and nutrient regimes. Zone Outputs Systems and Means Energy Harvested renewable energy solar thermal devices Harvesting from sources such as: wind turbines Zone solar moving water turbines wind, heat conversion devices geothermal electrol zers moving water adaptive control of biomass & biowaste autogenous cascading engine thermal energy conversions rejected heat Energy Renewable: hydrogen-fueled internal Production electricity combustion engines Zone gaseous fuels (e.g., generators hydrogen, methane, CNG) biomass/biowaste liquid fuels (e.g., methane, conversion systems biodiesel, HyBoost) electrolyzers energy carrier feedstock Geologic amplification of heat energy geothermal reservoirs Storage and in stored gases wind turbines Retrieval reclamation of existing gas pressurization systems Zone chemical and trace mineral heat conversion devices resources mitigation of the variability of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind) Energy Delivery of: energy storage and Transport scalable on-demand filtration system Zone electricity pressurized hydrogen and gaseous fuels (e.g., other gases hydrogen, methane, CNG) hydrogen-fueled trucks, liquid fuels (e.g., methane, barges, ships, and trains biodiesel, hydrogen- gas pipeline grid enriched fuel) electricity grid energy carrier feedstock materials resources feedstock Biowaste/ energy biodigesters Biomass fuels electrolyzers Conversion energy carrier feedstock Zone materials resources feedstock Agricultural human, animal, and plan Farms and fisheries with: Zone nutrition controlled micro-climates plant crops nutrient regimes such as animal crops trace minerals and other biofuel materials resources to biomass enrich soil and water biowaste water reclamation integrated biomass and biowaste harvesting Material chemical and mineral autogenous regeneration of Resources byproducts (e.g., hydrogen, materials resources from Production methane, oxides of carbon, carrier feedstock Zone oxides of nitrogen, petrochemicals, ash, nitrogen) additional byproducts (e.g., hydrogen, carbon, designer carbons, oxygen, ammonia, fertilizer, methanol) Industrial Park Green machines such as: pre-manufacturing Manufacturing solar thermal devices preparation of feedstock Zone wind turbines materials resources moving water turbines production heat conversion devices zero-emissions electrolyzers manufacturing using polymer thin films renewable hydrogen-fueled engines and generators internal combustion Other industrial goods: engines (stationary, designer carbon vehicle) industrial diamonds auto, truck, train, & ship parts semiconductors nanotechnologies farm & fishery equipment Consumer durable goods Water water production of new water Management controlled aquatic micro- purification of water Zone climate for system reclamation of water processes conservation of water heat sink using water adaptive control of water within the system Control and Macro coordination of embedded sensing devices Coordination information across zones to in all zones Zone achieve task of zero emissions computer monitoring and production of energy, material control using the embedded resources and nutrient regimes sensing devices automation robotics information/data management at microscopic levels Education specialized cross- integrated training in cross- Technology disciplinary skill disciplinary fields Zone development of workforce application, monitoring, and job creation at each performance support in the installation site Full Spectrum Integrated new kinds of energy sector Production System jobs appropriate to environment integrated renewable energy production, renewable material resource production, and renewable nutrient regime production - In some embodiments, the
supplement 102 is an assembly capable of generating and providing heat captured from solar energy to anOTEC plant 110.FIG. 1E is a block diagram 105 illustrating a supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion system using solar energy as thesupplement 102. - An
OTEC plant 110 includes avaporizer 111, acondenser 112, aturbine 113,conduits fluid 130 to/from the other components, and anoptional pump 117 that moves the working fluid from the condenser to the vaporizer. TheOTEC plant 110 also includes a surfacewater inlet pipe 140 that transports relativelywarm water 145 from the ocean surface into thevaporizer 111, and a deepwater inlet pipe 150 that transports relativelycold water 155 from the depths of the ocean into thecondenser 112. - A
solar collector 120 is coupled to the surfacewater inlet pipe 140. Thesolar collector 120 receives thesurface water 145, warms the surface water to a higher temperature, and provides thewarmer water 147 to thevaporizer 111 of theOTEC system 110. Thus, theOTEC system 110, being supplemented with water warmed using a solar collector, operates at an increased efficiency with respect to non-supplemented, conventional OTEC systems, among other benefits. -
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating aprocess 200 for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion system. Instep 210, a solar collector receives water from a surface of the ocean. Instep 220, the solar collector warms the received water. Instep 230, the solar collector provides the warmed water to an OTEC system. For example, the solar collector provides the warmed water to a vaporizer operating as part of a heat engine within the OTEC system. - In a typical OTEC system, the Carnot efficiency limit is about 6.7% for operation, given surface water temperatures of 25 to 27 degrees C. and deep water temperatures at about 5 degrees Celsius. Providing a supplement to an OTEC system can improve the overall efficiency, regardless of the type of heat engine and/or chosen thermal cycle. In some cases, the supplement can improve the efficiency of an OTEC system operating a Rankine cycle with a working fluid of ammonia, halogenated hydrocarbons, propane and/or hydrocarbon mixtures. In some cases, the supplement can improve the efficiency of an OTEC system having a “Claude” type of operation, in which water vapor is flashed from warm surface conditions into a vacuum and expanded across an expander to produce work, before being condensed by heat exchange with cold water from the depths of the ocean. In some cases, the supplement can improve the efficiency of an OTEC system using mist lift systems, such as two-stage mist lift systems.
- As discussed herein, in some embodiments the system utilizes solar collector assemblies to trap or capture solar energy in order to heat ocean surface water before providing the water to an OTEC plant.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating anend view 300 of a sectionedsolar collector assembly 300. Theassembly 300 includes a web of polymer based walls, including atop wall 311,side wall 313, andbottom wall 312 forming atop section 310 having an insulatingair space 315 and atop wall 331,side wall 333, andbottom wall 332 forming abottom section 330 having an insulatingair space 335. The relatively thin polymer walls and/or spaces formed by the walls trap solar energy. The trapped solar energy heats water contained bychannel 320 in sub-channels 325 formed by thewalls channel 320. Thechannel 320 enables theassembly 300 to receive water from the ocean, store the water in the assembly, heat the water in the assembly, and transport the water to a destination, such as a heat engine that is part of an ocean thermal energy conversion system. - The
solar collector assembly 300 may be weld-fabricated using large rolls of sheet stock, or extruded and/or extrusion blow-molded as an integral assembly with the insulating air space(s) formed by various walls. Current polymer technology provides thin films that are strong, of low gas and moisture permeability, low cost, and capable of being tailored for applications such as the high volume production of “bubble pack” and other types of packaging. - In some cases, the
solar collector assembly 300 may utilize such materials in manufacturing “clear” or relatively transparent walls used to transmit the full spectrum (i.e. all wavelengths) of energy received from the sun to water stored in or transported by thechannel 325. In some cases, thesolar collector assembly 300 may utilize clear or transparent materials forwalls walls assembly 300 to conductively and/or radiatively heat water passing through thechannel 315 to high temperatures, such as temperatures of 30-45 degrees C. Of course, other factors may contribute to realized temperatures, such as the velocity of the water, the surrounding wind chill, the currents in the ocean, the available solar energy (insolation), and so on. - Warming and providing water at such temperatures can increase the operation efficiency of the OTEC system, as described above. For example, using a suitable thermodynamic cycle with heat rejections at deep water temperatures of 4-6 degrees C., providing ocean water at a temperature of 35 degrees C. improves the Carnot efficiency limit from 6.7% to about 9.7%, and heating the ocean water to 45 degrees C. improves the Carnot efficiency limit to about 12.6%.
- Practical OTEC systems, however, have undesirable temperature drops, equipment losses due to wind and friction, and inherent requirements to use a portion of output energy to drive pumps and other auxiliary components. These factors generally reduce the actual thermal efficiency of OTEC systems utilizing surface ocean water at 25-27 degrees C. to about 3%. However, increasing the temperature of the surface water using a solar collector, such as
solar collector 300, to 35 degrees C. increases the practical efficiency from 3% to 6%, and increasing the temperature of the surface water using the solar collector to 45 degrees C. can increase the practical efficiency to about 9%, or three times the practical efficiency of conventional OTEC power plants. Such improvements in efficiency realize faster payback of initial OTEC plant costs along with far lower production costs for renewable energy, and other benefits. - In some cases, the
solar collector assembly 300 is fabricated using polymer films with air cells similar to those in “bubble-pack” assemblies. In some cases, thesolar collector assembly 300 is extruded from a barge or ship using an extrusion die pressure fed by an extruder to convert transparent polymer feed stock, such as pellets, into thewalls walls -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating aside view 400 of a solar collector assembly having closed air cells. The solar collector assembly includes achannel 320 and insulatingspaces depressions - In some embodiments, the solar collector assembly may overcome or prevent convective current losses by adding a
horizontal web spaces FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating aside view 500 of a solar collector having aweb 510 within the insulating spaces. Theweb channel 320. Theweb -
FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an end view of a sectionedsolar collector assembly 600 having linear lenses. Theassembly 600 includeslenses 610 having insulating spaces formed fromwalls channel 625 that stores ocean water and receives the heat captured by the insulatingspaces 615. Thelenses 610 refract and collect early morning and/or late afternoon sunlight that would normally reflect from flatter walls of an assembly. The lens, in some cases, provide a better daily conversion of solar energy to heat, and provide trussing of the assembly to improve the strength and rigidity of the assembly, among other benefits. - Some of the
lenses 610 andwalls channel 625. The air inspace 615 insulates the warm water in thechannel 625. Applying a coating to thewalls - In some embodiments, a solar collector assembly may overcome or prevent convective current losses by filling the insulating spaces with a gas having a lower thermal conductivity than air. Table 1 shows the relative thermal conductivity of gases suitable for filling the insulating spaces.
-
TABLE 1 SUBSTANCE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AIR 0.026 (W/mKsec) (100%) Ar (Argon) 0.018 (69%) CO (Carbon Monoxide) 0.025 (96%) CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) 0.017 (65%) He (Helium) 0.151 (580%) H2 (Hydrogen) 0.182 (700%) Ne (Neon) 0.049 (188%) N2 (Nitrogen) 0.026 (100%) O2 (Oxygen) 0.027 (104%) C3H8 (Propane) 0.016 (63%) H2O (Water) 0.59 (2300%) - For example, carbon dioxide and argon offer a much lower thermal conductivity than air, and provide a greater insulation to the warm water in the channel. Also, some selected gases, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride, or an oxide of nitrogen, may also block or inhibit the loss of heat by IR radiation from the heated water.
- In some cases, the solar collector assembly may include pressurized insulating spaces to strengthen or rigidize the solar collector assembly. In some cases, the solar collector assembly may be fabricated from low permeability materials or composite layers or surface treatments to hold air or other less-conductive gases under various desirable pressures within the insulating spaces.
-
FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating adevice 650 for producing pressurized gases for a solar collector assembly. Pressurized oxygen is delivered through aport 652 to aceramic chamber 654 where acarbon donor 656 is combusted to produce carbon dioxide. Thermal transfer tocarbon donor 656 may be achieved with induction heating coils 658. Thecarbon donor 656 may be any suitable source of carbon, including polymers selected from ocean trash accumulations and other substances such as paraffin and polyethylene, or carbon in the form of a cylindrical bar stock, as shown.Electrodes donor bar stock 656. Carbon dioxide is delivered to the device by aport 660. Retracting the carbondonor bar stock 656 allows rotation of acheck ball valve 668 to cut off the oxygen and extinguish the reaction, possibly ending the production of carbon dioxide. If present, water vapor may be left as an IR blocker gas, or may be trapped or filtered out of the device, depending upon ambient conditions such as temperature and/or pressure changes. - At times, ocean conditions may provide opportunities to utilize or create currents of relatively warm water for improved heat delivery to an OTEC plant.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a solar collector for use with water currents. Thesolar collector assembly 700 includes layers of thin, transparent polymers that may hold insulating gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide) in an insulatingspace 710 to trap solar energy in thewater 715 beneath the collector. The trapped energy may prevent evaporative cooling of thewater 715, or may provideheated water 715 as a supplement to an OTEC plant. Such an assembly, or “Solar Collector Barge,” 700 includes thin transparent glazing(s) 711, 712 spaced apart by connecting web(s) 713 for maximizing the solar energy trapping and insulating functionality of the assembly. Thelayer 712 may reflect and/or absorb wavelengths corresponding to radiation from substances at 50 degrees C. or cooler, to effectively trap and retain solar energy in thewater 715. The assembly may include subsurface extensions of gas-insulatedwalls 720 at the edges, andflood cells 722 with water or provide additional stiffeners and/or weights as needed to stabilize the assembly in the water. The assembly may be straight or curved in configuration in order to cancel or provide Coriolis acceleration as thewater 717 travels into and out of the barge - In some cases, the
barge 700 may include stiffening panels to thevertical sides 720 or include stiffener truss struts and braces below or above the waterline between thevertical sides 720. The barge may include position thrusters to achieve and maintain a desired position and orientation of thebarge 700 in an ocean current or stream. - In some cases, the
barge 700 and various layers are formed by extrusion to create extrusion blow-molded structures that incorporate polymer preparations including recycled and/or reconstituted polymers derived from ocean trash. Components of the barge may collect polymer articles that have been discarded into the ocean and thermoplastically reform or otherwise chemically alter and/or incorporate certain ingredients to form mixtures or alloys of the walls of the barge. For example, ships or barges may operate in the ocean on feedstock including materials recovered from ocean trash accumulations and/or on land-based plants that utilize discarded or conventionally discarded polymer products to prevent such materials from being added to the trash accumulations in the world's oceans. - As described herein, the system may add a supplement, such as the various solar collector assemblies described herein, to an OTEC system, in order to increase the efficiency of a heat engine of the OTEC system.
FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 800 of a supplemented OTEC system. - The system includes an
OTEC plant 810 surrounded by a synergistic heat-conserving spiral formedsolar collector assembly 820. Thespiral assembly 820 may be stabilized with high-strength carbon reinforced polymer netting (not shown) that extends across the top and bottom of the spiral assembly. In some cases, additional support and stabilization may be provided by occasional tie-lines from the top netting to the bottom layer. The netting may be electrometric in applications that have extreme variations in ambient temperature, allowing each spiral length and width to change in order to accommodate thermal contraction and expansion. In some cases, additional support and stabilization may be provided by thin strips of polymers, such as strips used to cover various formed seams. In some cases, additional support and stabilization may be provided to each additional spiral layer by a suitable adhesive, or by welding to fasten the assembly. In some cases, additional support and stabilization may be provided with high strength radial cables or straps along with circumferential straps. - Thus, the resulting spiral assembly is self-stabilizing despite being formed of inexpensive thin polymer walls. In some cases, the assembly may be configured to provide air-cushioned vehicle travel over the
spiral collector assembly 820 for personnel travel to and from theOTEC plant 810 in the center of the spiral. - In operation, water from the surface of the ocean enters the
spiral assembly 820 at aninlet opening 824. The water travels through the assembly, receiving heat from the spiral assembly during the transport. The water is provided to theOTEC plant 810 via anoutlet opening 822 coupled to theOTEC plant 810. Of course, theassembly 820 may include fewer or more spirals than shown in the Figure, may be partially spiraled, may be longitudinal, or may be assume many other configurations as needed. - This, in some embodiments, the supplemented OTEC systems described herein improve upon the material-utilization efficiencies of conventional OTEC plants that require use of insulated pipes to pump ocean water from considerable distances in order to provide the highest available water temperature from the surface and the coldest available temperature from the ocean depths, among other things. The spiral assembly, in some embodiments, facilitates the delivery of heated water at a desired temperature and facilitates the collection of warm temperature water near the spiral assembly.
- That is, for the same volume of material inventory, a spiral thin-walled assembly provides a higher thermal efficiency over long pipes used to pump water from large distances. Example materials include polyolefins, polyvinyl fluoride (C2H3F)n, polyvinylidene fluoride (C2H2F2)n, and numerous other high temperature polymers, including materials that have been discarded into the world's oceans. In some cases, the
assembly 820 is fabricated using U.V. resistant fluoropolymers, including modifications such as polyvinyl-fluoride, for transparent layers, and is fabricated using polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for the black or selective transmission layers that enhance the solar gain in portions of the assembly. -
FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 850 of a supplemented OTEC system having multiple solar collector assemblies. The OTEC system includes anOTEC plant 860 on a barge or ship, and two or moresolar collector assemblies 820 that provide heated water to the OTEC plant. In some cases, the utilization of multiplesolar collector assemblies 820 allows solar energy to be stored in a “bank” of collectors for supplying hot water to theOTEC plant 860 at night and/or during overcast weather. For example, during the day theOTEC plant 860 is supplemented by water heated by one ormore collector assemblies 820, while one or more additional solar collector assemblies heat and store the heated water for later use. In some cases, the collector water inlet is located on the inside of the spiral to prevent debris from clogging inlet filters. - The water in the solar collector assemblies that store the heated water may be heated to 65 degrees C. in order to realize an extra high efficiency of operation and/or to mix the hottest water with unheated sea water to produce warm water at 45 degrees C. for extending the operation time of a supplemented
OTEC plant 860 at night and/or during overcast days. Thesolar collector assemblies 820 may be wound clockwise or counterclockwise, although in some cases they are configured to provide Coriolis acceleration from the inlet to the outlet of the water being heated. -
FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 865 of a supplemented OTEC system having multiple solar collector assemblies and multiple barges and OTEC plants. The system includes two or moresolar collector assemblies 820 and two ormore barges - In some cases, where an OTEC plant requires higher flow requirements and/or less dwell time, the system may incorporate two, three, four, or more spiral assemblies that extend from the OTEC plant.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 900 of an OTEC plant supplemented by multiple spiral assemblies. TheOTEC plant 910 receives the delivery of heated water from threespiral assemblies 920 interchangeably coupled tosolar collector barge 860 byconnector elements 925. As described herein, the length of the spiral assemblies provides for delivery of solar heated water during the night, such as for certain applications that utilize night periods for leveling electrical loads (e.g., operations that include the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen at night). The heating and storing of heated water within the spiral assemblies facilitates improved day and night thermal efficiencies, among other benefits. Additionally, the production of hydrogen by electrolysis at night facilitates electricity sales at night that improve the return on investment for expensive OTEC plants, among other benefits. - In some embodiments, the surface length, width, and depth of heated water is proportioned to deliver the thermal requirements of an OTEC plant while utilizing the natural momentum of ocean currents and enables very low cost solar collection, storage and delivery to an OTEC plant.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 1000 of an OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector barges. Natural or created ocean currents of relatively warm water moving toward anOTEC plant 1010 are heated by two or more solar collector barges 1020 for delivery and/or storage of the heated water to optimize the operations of theOTEC plant 1010. In some cases, the depth of suitably heated water would increase as the water passes through thebarges 1020, and/or would change in cross-sectional proportions, as needed, to optimize the efficient operation of heat exchangers in theOTEC plant 1010. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating aside view 1100 of a solar collector assembly configured to directly heat a working fluid used by a heat engine. For example, the solar collector assembly may directly heat working fluids, such as ethane, propane, butane, ammonia, and/or halogenated hydrocarbons including selected mixtures, for operation of closed or combined cycle OTEC plants. Such an assembly may eliminate the need for a biofueling heat exchanger, and may realize a higher temperature achievement for the working fluid over other techniques. The solar collector assembly may utilize a thermodynamic cycle such as a Larsen-McAlister cycle, a Brayton cycle, an Ericsson cycle, and/or a Rankine cycle, in which the working fluid is pressurized to provide a greater density and pressure drop for vapor expansion in a power turbine. - The selected working fluid is heated within target tube(s) 1116. The
lenses webs webs webs bottom web 1114, as shown. In some cases, the assembly includes insulated and long-IR-blocking gases, such as carbon dioxide, argon, oxides of nitrogen, or sulfur hexafluoride, inchannels channels -
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating atop view 1200 of a land-based OTEC plant supplemented by solar collector assemblies. AnOTEC plant 1212 onland 1210 is supplemented by various different types of solar collector assemblies, including aspiral collector assembly 1224 and linearsolar collector 1222 atsea 1220, and land-basedsolar collectors 1214. - For example, the
OTEC plant 1212 may be served by aspiral collector assembly 1224 that is about 1.5 miles in diameter for delivery of collected solar thermal energy sufficient to provide a net output of 10 MW of electricity from theOTEC plant 1212. TheOTEC plant 1212 is also served bysolar concentrators 1214, which may be point-focus types for heating hydrogen working fluid to about 800 degrees C. for expansion in a regenerative system based on a heat-engine cycle such as a Stirling cycle, an Ericsson cycle, and/or a Brayton cycle. The heat not converted into work and/or electricity by the regenerative energy conversion system may be used to warm incoming ocean water for improving the OTEC efficiency, or rejected to the cold ocean water delivered byconduit 1222 to maximize the overall energy conversion efficiency. - In some cases, the system may utilize an extension of the
solar collector assembly 1224 as a conduit for continued solar heating and insulation of heated water. In some cases, the system utilizes the heated ocean water from one or more of the solar collector assemblies while one or more additional solar collector assemblies heat and store solar warmed water for use at night. - Integration of SOTECs with other Generative Systems
- As described herein, in some embodiments an OTEC plant is integrated with other generative systems, such as hydrogen generation systems, methane generation systems, and so on. That is, adding an OTEC plant into a recyclable system used to generate resources may facilitate the increased economic development of resources and nutrient regimes, among other benefits.
-
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram 1300 illustrating an OTEC plant supplemented by heat from geological formations. For example, anOTEC plant 1304 is at a location where the water is too cool at the surface or too warm at the depths to support sufficient generation electricity. TheOTEC plant 1304 is supplemented by heat from asolar collector assembly 1303 and/or by heat from anelectrolyzer 1306 or aheat engine 1307. Theelectrolyzer 1306 and/orheat engine 1307 may utilize on-site and/or pipeline accessed underground storage of hydrogen in a suitablegeological formation 1314, which may or may not bear appreciable amounts of fossil hydrocarbons, to use fuel cells in a regenerative mode to meet sufficient electricity generation standards. - The size of a
pipe 1310 should be sufficient for the storage of hydrogen that is produced. For example, during times of low solar gain or at night the system can meet electricity demands by utilizing hydrogen from thestorage pipe 1310 and/or from thesubterranean storage reservoir 1314 to power theheat engine 1307 and/or the reversible electrolyzer fuel cell(s) 1306. The additional storage of hydrogen is provided by the delivery of the hydrogen throughpipeline 1320 and or through thetube 1302 and/orhorizontal extension tube 1312 into depleted petroleum formations and/or other suitable formations such as salt or limestone caverns in continental locations closer to markets for electricity and/or hydrogen. - North America and other continents include geological formations that are suitably porous and sealed at a depth sufficient to safely and efficiently store hydrogen. Such formations have stored methane for millions of years, where organic materials were deposited at the time of their geological development. Such formations have also stored hydrogen produced by continental drift-induced collisions of hot olivine and limestone for millions of years.
- Additionally, offshore oil and natural gas formations are similarly proven geological settings for long-term storage of hydrogen produced by electricity from OTEC plants. Referring back to
FIG. 13 , the delivery of hydrogen from theOTEC plant 1304 to land markets is facilitates bypipeline 1320 which connects throughvalve head 1322 topipeline 1324 and thus tovalve 1338 to supply wellhead andpipe 1316 tosubterranean storage 1326. - In some cases, the
heat engine 1307 is a rapid start engine that can quickly provide electricity and additional heat to theOTEC plant 1304 to improve the output of the plant. The OTEC plant may utilize supplemented energy, such as solar energy, to dissociate hydrocarbons, such as methane hydrates, into hydrogen and carbon. The hydrogen can be used in theheat engine 1307 and/or thefuel cell 1306 to provide shaft work and/or electricity. The carbon can be used to manufacture durable goods, including wind, wave, hydro and/or solar harnessing equipment. Further details regarding the dissociation of hydrocarbons and other similar processes may be found in related copending applications referenced and incorporated above. - The ability of OTEC systems to operate in waters that do not provide sufficient temperature differences between surface waters and deep waters facilitates utilizing OTEC plants to produce methane from clathrate deposits. Details regarding the production of methane from clathrate deposits may be found in related copending applications referenced and incorporated above.
- Referring to
FIG. 13 , methane recovered from clathrates and other ocean resources is delivered intopipe 1310 and pressurized by the electrolytic production of hydrogen using theelectrolyzer 1306. The thermochemical dissociation of a hydrocarbon compound or polymer or methane from clathrates to produce carbon and hydrogen and/or electrolysis of water to provide pressurized hydrogen is considerably more efficient than operating a mechanical pump to pressurize hydrogen. Also adding pressurized hydrogen to methane in a confined space produces a mixture that is at a greater pressure than the methane at the start of hydrogen addition. Accordingly, mixtures of hydrogen and methane are delivered by thepipe 1320 to the land markets depicted or stored informations 1314 and/or 1326 as needed to improve overall system economics and meet market conditions, among other benefits. - The storage of hydrogen and/or mixtures of hydrogen and methane in depleted oil and natural gas in reservoirs, such as
formation 1326, facilitates the increased recovery of fossil hydrocarbons, among other things. The storage of hydrogen improves the permeability of fossil hydrocarbon formations. The storage of hydrogen facilitates providing needed heat by directed addition of oxygen and combustion of hydrogen in locations needing the heat, such as for the production of fossil hydrocarbons from tar sands, shale, and depleted oil and natural gas formations. - Thus, electricity from an
OTEC plant 1304 or other renewable energy conversion operations is utilized to produce oxygen and hydrogen by anelectrolyzer 1330.Pipeline 1332 delivers the hydrogen to enrich and pressurize natural gas and methane as needed topipeline 1324, and/or for storage information 1326, as shown. The oxygen produced and pressurized byelectrolyzer 1330 is sent to medical and other commercial markets and is delivered through conduit 1334 to combust hydrogen to heat hydrocarbons for increased production fromreservoir 1326, as shown. - In some embodiments, electricity produced by an OTEC plant, such as a supplemented OTEC plant, is used in an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The addition of supplemental energy, such as concentrated solar energy provided by a solar collector, reduces the electrical energy required for electrolysis in the electrolyzer. For example, about 18 grams (one gram mole) of water is decomposed by electrical work equivalent to the free energy of formation AG, which is 237.13 kJ. This process is endothermic and consumes additional energy equal to (TΔS) of 48.7 kJ/mol, which is the work done in expanding the produced hydrogen and oxygen to standard temperature and pressure.
-
ΔH=ΔG+TΔS Equation 1 -
(285.83 kJ/mol=237.13 kJ/mol+48.7 kJ/mol). - Because the dissociation process is endothermic, the system can utilize solar energy and/or waste heat from other processes. The additional heat elevates the temperature of the electrolysis because the heat reduces the amount of Gibbs free energy (ΔG) that must be provided as electrical work. Thus, the total applied voltage is less than required to dissociate water at ambient temperature.
- Assuming that the endothermic energy comes from a waste heat source or the environment, the minimum applied voltage to dissociate water is:
-
ΔG=−nFE° Equation 2 - As this minimum voltage requirement (E°) is dependent upon the change in free energy (ΔG), E° is equivalent to ΔG divided by the number of electrons exchanged (n) times the Faraday constant (F=9.648×104) or (nF). As the electrolysis temperature increases above standard temperature of 25° C., the free energy approaches zero as the temperature of electrolysis approaches the temperature that would be produced by an adiabatic stoichiometric combustion reaction.
- In some cases, increasing the pressure of electrolysis produces pressurized hydrogen and oxygen storage at a desired density. Increasing the pressure requires a higher voltage for electrolysis. Equation 3 illustrates the relationship of pressure and voltage requirements. Electrolysis voltage (Ep) can be found by adding the Nernst adjustment for pressure rise to E°:
-
Ep=E°+RT/nF In P H2(P O2)/PH2O Equation 3 - Assuming that the hydrogen and oxygen are produced at the same pressure and the feed water is liquid at the same pressure, Equation 3 is simplified to:
-
Ep=E°+3RT/4F (In PR atm) Equation 4 - Thus, the increase in voltage to produce 10,000 PSI oxygen and hydrogen from 10,000 PSI water is: 3RT/4F In Pi/Patm=3RT/4F In 680.3=3 (8.3144 J/molK)298K (6.522)/4(9.648×104)=0.125 V.
- Adding heat to vaporize water lowers the voltage required to dissociate water.
-
ΔG° T =ΔH° T(298) −TΔS° 298K Equation 5 - Thus the voltage required for dissociation approaches zero as TΔS°298K approaches ΔH°T(298K), which is 285.83 kJ/mol. The change in entropy at standard temperature (ΔS°298K) is 0.1634 kJ/mol, therefore
-
285.83 kJ/mol/0.1634 kJ/mol=1,749K or 1,476° C. (2,689° F.). Equation 6 -
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an OTEC system supplemented by geothermal energy. In some embodiments, an OTEC system utilizes geothermal energy from formations beneath the ocean floor in conjunction with the heat sink of cold water and/or methane ice formations near the ocean floor. For example, the OTEC plant may utilize a well that contains new or relatively depleted oil or gas wells in a new cycle. Temperatures of petroleum producing formations beneath ocean floors generally exceed the temperature of the ocean surface. The potential efficiency limit for a typical cycle for utilization of heat provided by such formations to working fluids such as those listed in Table 1, copending applications referenced and incorporated above, or by the fluid being extracted from such formations, is summarized in Equation 7: -
Efficiency Limit=1−TL/TH Equation 7 - When the highest temperature achieved by the working fluid for expansion to produce work is 100° C. (212° F.) and the heat-rejection temperature at the end of work production is at the general temperature of gas hydrates, such as 6° C. (42.8° F.), a limit of efficiency is shown in Equation 8:
-
Efficiency Limit=1−279° K/373° K=25% Equation 8 -
FIG. 14 illustrates operation of anOTEC system 1400 using geothermal resources in conjunction with petroleum production, such as natural gas and/or oil fromgeothermal formation 1402, from a suitable vertical well 1404, or fromhorizontal extension 1406. The petroleum is delivered to the surface after providing heat exchange to a selected working fluid at asuitable location 1412, such as near the ocean floor by the pressure offormation 1402 and/or by the assistance of asuitable pump 1408 to provide delivery throughinsulation system 1410, as shown. Heat is transferred by a suitable heat exchanger such as acountercurrent heat exchanger 1414 to vaporize and/or superheat a suitable working fluid in the circuit with a suitable motor such as aturbine heat exchanger 1418 to cold ambient temperature sea water and/or clathrate formations, when the system is further provided with a collection system as described in related copending applications referenced and incorporated above, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The condensed working fluid is heated and revaporized by theheat exchanger 1414, as shown. Petroleum is delivered throughdelivery device 1424 to the surface by various arrangements, such as a floating or anchoredplatform 1422 to facilitate pipeline transmission (not shown), tanker delivery, such as bytanker 1426, and so on. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating integrating an OTEC system 1500 with other energy generation systems. The system 1500 transports hot fluid from a geological formation 1501 such as may be found beneath the ocean floor to the surface of the ocean. At or near the surface further heat additions may be provided to improve the energy conversion efficiency from solar, wind, moving water, heat engine, thermochemical regenerator, or fuel cell sources, and/or heating of another working fluid such as evaporant from ocean water provided by flow through pickup 1510 or ammonia (not shown) by counter current heat exchangers 1508, 1530, 1520, and expansion of such working fluid to near the cold temperature of the ocean floor at condenser 1536 as shown to condense the working fluid, which is shown as liquid water 1538. - After the pressure and most of the thermal energy of heated vapors are expended by accomplishing work on motors, such as one or more expansion turbines 1530, 1528, and turning vanes, such as 1532 and turbine 1534, and further cooling by ocean water, condensed pure water 1538 at the vapor pressure commensurate with the temperature of the cold ocean floor is delivered by pump 1550 to pipeline 1552 for transport to the surface for deliveries by ships or to land by pipeline 1552, as shown. Depending upon ocean conditions, in some cases, the condenser 1546 may be placed closer to the ocean surface near the expansion turbine 1544 and the cold water is pumped from cold depths to provide cooling of the vapors traveling downward past turbine 1544.
- During operation, the hot fluid (such as oil, natural gas, and so on) from a suitable well that may include a horizontal collector 1502 is passed upward by formation pressure and/or by additional pressure provided by pump 1503, as shown, through an insulated conduit assembly 1504 to a suitable heat exchanger 1508 in insulated heat exchange well 1506, as shown. Petroleum is then stored in vessel 1516 on a suitable platform such as energy-barge 1536 for shipment to market, or some or all of the petroleum may be utilized to provide more valuable carbon for production of durable goods along with hydrogen by dissociation, as generally summarized for various hydrocarbons (CxHy) in Equation 9:
-
CxHy+HEAT→xC+0.5yH2 Equation 9 - The energy barge 1536, or another suitable platform, may host one or more solar energy conversion systems, such as concentrators 1526, one or more wave generators 1524, and/or one or more wind generators 1556.
- The heat in Equation 9 may be provided by harnessing kinetic energy from wind, waves, ocean currents, or solar energy, such as may be provided by a suitable radiation trap and/or point-focus concentrator 1528 or suitable line-focus systems. In some cases, the electricity generators that convert solar, wind, moving water, and/or geothermal energy may be utilized to drive resistive and/or inductive heating systems that supply part or all of the heat shown in Equation 9 to drive the endothermic process shown in Equation 9.
- Hot inventories of hydrogen and carbon produced in reactor 1526 are utilized to provide preheating of hydrocarbons delivered to reactor 1526 by the counter-current heat exchange system described herein, when there is a sufficient thermal gradient to provide the additional heating of water vapors delivered by a suitable filter and pump assembly 1510. Following the heat deliveries, hydrogen may be stored in a suitable tank 1532 and carbon for manufacture of durable goods may be stored in tank 1532.
- In some embodiments, photosynthesizing plants are grown in conjunction with the operations described herein, and such plant crops are anaerobically processed to provide thermal dissociation or microbial digestion to produce methane, carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide. The hydrogen produced by reactor 1518 may be stored as an energy-dense liquid, such as methanol.
Equations 10 and/or 11 summarize processes in which carbon dioxide from one or more suitable sources reacts with hydrogen to form one or more dense, easily stored, and conveniently transported liquids: -
3H2+CO2→CH3OH+H2O+H2O Equation 10 -
2H2+CO→CH3OH Equation 11 -
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating asystem 1600 for integrating an OTEC system with methane release mechanisms. In many locations, an OTEC system and other generative systems described herein may be located in areas having earthquakes, changes in ocean currents, ocean warming, land erosion and/or other disturbances that release methane and other greenhouse gases from clathrate deposits. - The system includes an
impervious film 1638, such as polyethylene, established over an extensive area of such clathrates to contain and deliver released methane, carbon dioxide, water, and other substances that are released fromdeposits 1644 in response to the heating of the deposits by the circulation of warmed fluid through aconduit 1640 or delivered by theconduit 1640 from sources such asheat exchanger 1630 in aturbine casing 1642. Alternatively, a pipe orconduit 1636 channels to distribute water-born organic and mineral values from the ocean depths including clathrate deposits to the feeding systems for fish, shrimp, oyster beds, etc. - Suitably cold water from the depths of the ocean and/or from ice and liquid water released from clathrates beneath the
film 1638 is delivered toheat exchanger 1630 bypump 1637. After being heated by a suitable heat exchanger, such as the countercurrent heat exchanger 1630, the warmed water may be further heated by additional heat exchange from working fluids of various energy conversion processes onplatform 1603, such as OTEC processes, or returned throughreturn conduit 1632 to the methane hydrate formation beneath thefilm 1638 at a desired rate to controllably release additional methane that is delivered to thesurface platform 1603 for solar, wind or moving water driven energy conversion processes that support thermochemical regeneration to produce carbon and hydrogen from such methane. Additional hydrogen may be produced by similar dissociation of natural gas and/or oil produced by well 1660, which in many cases is from a deep geothermallysignificant formation 1662, as shown. -
Intake 1616 feed ocean water intosolar collector 1602. The water vapor produced by the heat gain from thesolar collector 1602 and additional heat contributions rejected from solar dissociation of methane or oil as performed by suitable line-focus or point-focussolar concentrators 1610 and fromwind generators 1608 mounted for example onplatform 1606 and/or by harnessing moving water such as bywave generators line 1604 for induction heating of methane and/or oil to produce hydrogen and carbon. Thewave generators anchor 1652. Various types of designer carbon products are produced, including super activated carbon that is collected in tanks andwarehouses 1614 for distribution to various markets, including renewable resources industrial parks. - The
system 1600 may produce various fertilizers including ammonia or ammonium sulfate, with additions of potassium, phosphorus, iron and various other mineral restoration selections. The hydrogen produced by the processes disclosed as in Equation 9 may be reacted with nitrogen that is collected from the atmosphere by various processes, such as those described in copending applications referenced and incorporated above. Surplus hydrogen combustion in a heat engine eliminates oxygen and produces water that is separated to provide for a reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen to produce ammonia. Equation 12 summarizes such processes of ammonia production: -
3H2+N2→2NH3 Equation 12 - The system may also provide various produced substances to fish hatcheries and and farms and to attract wild fish and other desired marine life along with other entities growing organic matter, such as hatcheries 1664-1671. Clathrates such as methane hydrates are warmed to release nutrients including organic substances and trace minerals. Such mineral and organic values are delivered by suitable distribution conduits to nourish oysters, shrimp, various fish selections and so on, from suitable pipes such as shown by
pipe 1640. - Thus, the system may utilize various components of an OTEC system, such as a working fluid, as an energy exchange mechanism between various energy sources and generative systems. The integration of a supplemented OTEC system allows for various energy sources to increase the efficiency of operation of the OTEC system, and for the OTEC system, in turn, to increase the efficiency of production of various generative systems.
- A system providing for the conversion of renewable energy resources into renewable fuels and electricity to serve local and distant markets is described.
- While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the system are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the system, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order, and some processes or steps may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or steps may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or steps are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or steps may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times.
- From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the system have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the system. Accordingly, the system is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Claims (29)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/629,266 US20150184532A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2015-02-23 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (11)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15325309P | 2009-02-17 | 2009-02-17 | |
US23747609P | 2009-08-27 | 2009-08-27 | |
US30440310P | 2010-02-13 | 2010-02-13 | |
US12/707,656 US8075749B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-02-17 | Apparatus and method for gas capture during electrolysis |
US12/707,651 US8075748B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-02-17 | Electrolytic cell and method of use thereof |
PCT/US2010/024497 WO2010096503A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-02-17 | Electrolytic cell and method of use thereof |
PCT/US2010/024498 WO2010096504A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-02-17 | Apparatus and method for controlling nucleation during electrolysis |
PCT/US2010/024499 WO2010096505A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-02-17 | Apparatus and method for gas capture during electrolysis |
US12/707,653 US8172990B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-02-17 | Apparatus and method for controlling nucleation during electrolysis |
US12/857,546 US8991182B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
US14/629,266 US20150184532A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2015-02-23 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/857,546 Continuation US8991182B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150184532A1 true US20150184532A1 (en) | 2015-07-02 |
Family
ID=43729131
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/857,546 Expired - Fee Related US8991182B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
US14/629,266 Abandoned US20150184532A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2015-02-23 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/857,546 Expired - Fee Related US8991182B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8991182B2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9394169B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2016-07-19 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Gas hydrate conversion system for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits |
US9742196B1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-22 | Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc. | Fuel cell power plant cooling network integrated with a thermal hydraulic engine |
WO2020033912A1 (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2020-02-13 | Castor Varnell M | Air to electrical energy and water microgrid |
Families Citing this family (45)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8318131B2 (en) | 2008-01-07 | 2012-11-27 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Chemical processes and reactors for efficiently producing hydrogen fuels and structural materials, and associated systems and methods |
US9188086B2 (en) * | 2008-01-07 | 2015-11-17 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Coupled thermochemical reactors and engines, and associated systems and methods |
US8441361B2 (en) | 2010-02-13 | 2013-05-14 | Mcallister Technologies, Llc | Methods and apparatuses for detection of properties of fluid conveyance systems |
US8991182B2 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2015-03-31 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
US20110203776A1 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2011-08-25 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Thermal transfer device and associated systems and methods |
US8147599B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2012-04-03 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Apparatuses and methods for storing and/or filtering a substance |
US7851935B2 (en) * | 2009-08-11 | 2010-12-14 | Jason Tsao | Solar and wind energy converter |
US9673681B2 (en) * | 2009-12-29 | 2017-06-06 | Hopper Energy Systems, Inc. | Methods and systems for power generation by changing density of a fluid |
WO2011100704A2 (en) * | 2010-02-13 | 2011-08-18 | Mcalister Roy E | Chemical reactors with re-radiating surfaces and associated systems and methods |
CN102844266A (en) * | 2010-02-13 | 2012-12-26 | 麦卡利斯特技术有限责任公司 | Chemical processes and reactors for efficiently producing hydrogen fuels and structural materials, and associated systems and methods |
WO2011100719A2 (en) | 2010-02-13 | 2011-08-18 | Mcalister Roy E | Engineered fuel storage, respeciation and transport |
US9032732B1 (en) * | 2011-01-11 | 2015-05-19 | David H. Cowden | High efficiency OTEC service station |
US8572967B1 (en) * | 2011-01-11 | 2013-11-05 | David H. Cowden | High efficiency OTEC system |
CA2734638A1 (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2012-09-16 | James Russell Baird | Ocean thermal energy conversion counter-current heat transfer system |
US8561406B2 (en) * | 2011-07-21 | 2013-10-22 | Kalex, Llc | Process and power system utilizing potential of ocean thermal energy conversion |
US8584462B2 (en) * | 2011-07-21 | 2013-11-19 | Kalex, Llc | Process and power system utilizing potential of ocean thermal energy conversion |
US8826657B2 (en) * | 2011-08-12 | 2014-09-09 | Mcallister Technologies, Llc | Systems and methods for providing supplemental aqueous thermal energy |
US8840692B2 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2014-09-23 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Energy and/or material transport including phase change |
US8669014B2 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2014-03-11 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Fuel-cell systems operable in multiple modes for variable processing of feedstock materials and associated devices, systems, and methods |
EP2742207A4 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2016-06-29 | Mcalister Technologies Llc | Systems and methods for extracting and processing gases from submerged sources |
US8734546B2 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2014-05-27 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Geothermal energization of a non-combustion chemical reactor and associated systems and methods |
WO2013025650A1 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2013-02-21 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Mobile transport platforms for producing hydrogen and structural materials and associated systems and methods |
US8911703B2 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2014-12-16 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Reducing and/or harvesting drag energy from transport vehicles, including for chemical reactors, and associated systems and methods |
US8888408B2 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2014-11-18 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Systems and methods for collecting and processing permafrost gases, and for cooling permafrost |
WO2013025659A1 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2013-02-21 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Reducing and/or harvesting drag energy from transport vehicles, includings for chemical reactors, and associated systems and methods |
US8673509B2 (en) | 2011-08-12 | 2014-03-18 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Fuel-cell systems operable in multiple modes for variable processing of feedstock materials and associated devices, systems, and methods |
WO2013025655A2 (en) * | 2011-08-12 | 2013-02-21 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Systems and methods for providing supplemental aqueous thermal energy |
US9745966B2 (en) * | 2012-08-29 | 2017-08-29 | Charles M Grimm | Floating solar collector assisted OTEC generator |
US10011910B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2018-07-03 | Energystics, Ltd. | Linear faraday induction generator for the generation of electrical power from ocean wave kinetic energy and arrangements thereof |
US8629572B1 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2014-01-14 | Reed E. Phillips | Linear faraday induction generator for the generation of electrical power from ocean wave kinetic energy and arrangements thereof |
US9624900B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2017-04-18 | Energystics, Ltd. | Linear faraday induction generator for the generation of electrical power from ocean wave kinetic energy and arrangements thereof |
CN105378277A (en) * | 2013-02-11 | 2016-03-02 | 麦卡利斯特技术有限责任公司 | Systems and methods for providing supplemental aqueous thermal energy |
US8926719B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2015-01-06 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for generating hydrogen from metal |
US9534296B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-01-03 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Methods of manufacture of engineered materials and devices |
US9079489B2 (en) | 2013-05-29 | 2015-07-14 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Methods for fuel tank recycling and net hydrogen fuel and carbon goods production along with associated apparatus and systems |
US10113771B2 (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2018-10-30 | Ibrahim Almishari | Carbon dioxide-based heater |
DE102015205284A1 (en) * | 2015-03-24 | 2016-09-29 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Underwater system for generating electrical energy from heat |
RU2596761C1 (en) * | 2015-04-15 | 2016-09-10 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Научно-производственное объединение "Санкт-Петербургская электротехническая компания" | Apparatus for purifying liquid waste of oil and gas platforms |
US9878265B2 (en) * | 2015-06-16 | 2018-01-30 | Glen Truett Hendrix | System for producing fresh water and electricity using cold ocean water in combination with wind power |
US10277094B2 (en) * | 2015-09-16 | 2019-04-30 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Self-powered pipeline hydrate prevention system |
US20170110883A1 (en) * | 2015-10-18 | 2017-04-20 | Joseph Akwo Tabe | Advanced method of generating and producing energy from seawater |
US10047717B1 (en) | 2018-02-05 | 2018-08-14 | Energystics, Ltd. | Linear faraday induction generator for the generation of electrical power from ocean wave kinetic energy and arrangements thereof |
WO2019186294A1 (en) * | 2018-03-30 | 2019-10-03 | Van Kinh NGUYEN | Apparatus for producing fresh water and electricity in the ocean |
US20200037516A1 (en) * | 2018-08-06 | 2020-02-06 | David Rubin | Meteorological modification method and apparatus |
FR3120401B1 (en) * | 2021-03-03 | 2023-12-15 | Oil2Green | Process for producing electricity in an oil platform and implementation installation. |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4476249A (en) * | 1982-06-02 | 1984-10-09 | The Johns Hopkins University | Low cost method for producing methanol utilizing OTEC plantships |
US4781029A (en) * | 1987-06-05 | 1988-11-01 | Hydride Technologies Incorporated | Methods and apparatus for ocean thermal energy conversion using metal hydride heat exchangers |
US8567195B2 (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2013-10-29 | Ocean Synergy Limited | Deep ocean energy system with full sea water air conditioning and utility waste heat utilization |
US8991182B2 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2015-03-31 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
Family Cites Families (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4079726A (en) * | 1976-04-23 | 1978-03-21 | Percy Voelker | System for storage and use of solar energy |
US4170878A (en) * | 1976-10-13 | 1979-10-16 | Jahnig Charles E | Energy conversion system for deriving useful power from sources of low level heat |
JPS5434867A (en) | 1977-08-24 | 1979-03-14 | Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd | Portable watch case |
JPS56138468A (en) | 1980-03-13 | 1981-10-29 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Ocean temperature difference generator |
JPS5791384A (en) | 1980-11-27 | 1982-06-07 | Toshiba Corp | Evaporator |
JPS57169547A (en) * | 1981-04-11 | 1982-10-19 | Lonseal Corp | Solar heat water heater |
US4470403A (en) * | 1982-05-28 | 1984-09-11 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Saltless solar pond |
JPS5946375A (en) * | 1982-09-08 | 1984-03-15 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Power generator by sea water |
US4513731A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1985-04-30 | Campbell Willis R | Solar heat collector |
JPS59110872A (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1984-06-26 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Compound generation device which utilizes sea temperature difference and solar heat |
JPS59165873A (en) | 1983-03-09 | 1984-09-19 | Toshiba Corp | Sea temperature difference power plant |
JPS6321366A (en) | 1986-07-16 | 1988-01-28 | Kajima Corp | Heat accumulating type marine thermal difference power generating plant |
JP2680674B2 (en) | 1989-04-12 | 1997-11-19 | 財団法人電力中央研究所 | Ocean / waste heat temperature difference power generation system |
JPH0661195A (en) | 1992-08-06 | 1994-03-04 | Toshiba Corp | Manufacture of semiconductor device |
ATE155872T1 (en) * | 1992-09-07 | 1997-08-15 | Collins Starnes Ass | RADIATION COLLECTOR |
KR950033322A (en) | 1994-06-08 | 1995-12-22 | 심규상 | Solar glass collector and installation method |
JPH0816475A (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1996-01-19 | Toshiba Corp | Multiprocessor system |
JPH1193826A (en) | 1997-09-18 | 1999-04-06 | Nkk Corp | Natural energy best mix system |
JP2005291112A (en) | 2004-03-31 | 2005-10-20 | Takeo Saito | Temperature difference power generation device |
CN1297744C (en) | 2005-03-24 | 2007-01-31 | 上海交通大学 | Ocean temperature difference energy and solar energy reheat circulating electric generating method |
-
2010
- 2010-08-16 US US12/857,546 patent/US8991182B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2015
- 2015-02-23 US US14/629,266 patent/US20150184532A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4476249A (en) * | 1982-06-02 | 1984-10-09 | The Johns Hopkins University | Low cost method for producing methanol utilizing OTEC plantships |
US4781029A (en) * | 1987-06-05 | 1988-11-01 | Hydride Technologies Incorporated | Methods and apparatus for ocean thermal energy conversion using metal hydride heat exchangers |
US8991182B2 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2015-03-31 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems |
US8567195B2 (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2013-10-29 | Ocean Synergy Limited | Deep ocean energy system with full sea water air conditioning and utility waste heat utilization |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9394169B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2016-07-19 | Mcalister Technologies, Llc | Gas hydrate conversion system for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits |
US9742196B1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-08-22 | Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc. | Fuel cell power plant cooling network integrated with a thermal hydraulic engine |
WO2020033912A1 (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2020-02-13 | Castor Varnell M | Air to electrical energy and water microgrid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20110061383A1 (en) | 2011-03-17 |
US8991182B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8991182B2 (en) | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (SOTEC) systems | |
EP2470788A2 (en) | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems | |
US9231267B2 (en) | Systems and methods for sustainable economic development through integrated full spectrum production of renewable energy | |
US8940265B2 (en) | Sustainable economic development through integrated production of renewable energy, materials resources, and nutrient regimes | |
Sorensen et al. | Hydrogen and fuel cells: emerging technologies and applications | |
US20130240369A1 (en) | Systems and methods for sustainable economic development through integrated full spectrum production of renewable energy | |
CN101636584B (en) | Methods and/or systems for removing carbon dioxide and/or generating power | |
Ghoniem | Needs, resources and climate change: Clean and efficient conversion technologies | |
US7178337B2 (en) | Power plant system for utilizing the heat energy of geothermal reservoirs | |
US9394169B2 (en) | Gas hydrate conversion system for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits | |
Hordeski | Megatrends for energy efficiency and renewable energy | |
DE10343544B4 (en) | Power plant to use the heat of a geothermal reservoir | |
CN104471040A (en) | System and method for ecologically generating and storing electricity | |
Siirola | Speculations on global energy demand and supply going forward | |
Demir et al. | Development and assessment of a solar driven trigeneration system with storage for electricity, ammonia and fresh water production | |
KR101534996B1 (en) | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems | |
KR20120040275A (en) | Increasing the efficiency of supplemented ocean thermal energy conversion (sotec) systems | |
Ameen Sha et al. | Hydrogen and other Renewable Energy Resources as Appropriate Solutions to Global Warming | |
WO2011028403A2 (en) | Sustainable economic development through integrated production of renewable energy, materials resources, and nutrient regimes | |
Landini | Competitiveness of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems compared with other renewable technologies | |
Frankel | Developing the Energy Future | |
Economic | A HYDROGEN FUTURE? | |
Heinloth | 1 Survey of renewable energy |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, ARIZONA Free format text: TERMINATION OF LICENSE AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:MCALISTER, ROY EDWARD;REEL/FRAME:036176/0079 Effective date: 20150629 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, ARIZONA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MCALISTER, ROY E.;REEL/FRAME:037131/0620 Effective date: 20101019 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, ARIZONA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MCALISTER, ROY EDWARD;REEL/FRAME:045763/0233 Effective date: 20180326 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PERKINS COIE LLP, WASHINGTON Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC;REEL/FRAME:049509/0721 Effective date: 20170711 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PERKINS COIE LLP, WASHINGTON Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC;REEL/FRAME:049846/0329 Effective date: 20170711 |