1. Oceanic Thermal Energy Conversions
EM-2017
Mech Dept

2. Background Information
OTEC system is based on the Rankine Cycle
Uses the vertical temperature gradient in the ocean as a heat sink/source
Mainly used in equatorial waters where temperature gradient is greatest

3. Closed Rankine Cycle Overview
1-2 Power in to pressurize liquid to higher pressure
2-3 Heat addition to evaporate ammonia
3-4 Work produced from expansion through turbine
4-1 Heat extraction to condense the ammonia before pump

4. Closed Rankine Cycle Calculations

5. Pros of OTEC Extremely benign impact on environment
No dependency on oil
Minimal maintenance costs compared to conventional power production plants
Open cycle OTEC systems can produce desalinated water which is very important in third-world countries

6. Cons of OTEC
Low thermal efficiency due to small temperature gradient between heat sink and source
OTEC technology is only ideally suitable in equatorial waters
Only moderate power outputs are available
Currently this technology is not as monetarily feasible as conventional power production plants
The manufacturing and installation of the extremely long cold water pipes is extremely time consuming and costly.

7. Problem Statement
To create and design an operating Oceanic Thermal Energy Conversion model that employs a closed Rankine Cycle that utilizes ammonia as the working fluid to illustrate the viability of OTEC power production.

8. Specifications Produce 100 Watts of power
Be smaller than 8 ft. wide, 6 ft. tall, and 2 ft. deep.
Final product must be easily portable.
OTEC model must be aesthetically pleasing and allow viewers to easily understand and view the inner-workings of the Rankine Cycle utilized by OTEC systems.
Must start and stop operation using simple mechanical or electrical devices
Must not endanger the operator or anyone viewing the OTEC presentation

9. Heat Pump Conversion
One possible design idea is to convert a heat pump into a power producing Rankine Cycle
Many moderately sized Geothermal energy cycles use large commercially available AC units.
Objective is to make the compressor function as a turbine/generator
Add an auxiliary pump to circulate and pressurize the working fluid throughout the cycle
Very little modification is necessary to convert heat pumps and AC units into power producing units