Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a system that converts heat energy into the electric power using the temperature difference between surface seawater, which can be up to 29 degrees Celsius, and deep seawater, which is only 5 degrees Celsius.
The main components of the system are an evacuated evaporation chamber, a turbine and a condensing chamber. The solar energy of the sun heats up the surface water and this warm water is introduced into the evacuated evaporation chamber, where it boils. As it boils, salt is deposited and water vapour is generated. This vapour then drives a turbine to generate electricity. After it powers the turbine, the water vapour enters the condensing chamber, which is cooled by the water from the depths of the ocean. The water vapour is condensed in this chamber, producing drinking water. Meanwhile, waste salt water is discharged into the ocean and the process can be repeated.
Ocean thermal energy conversion (
OTEC
) is a system that converts heat energy into the electric power using the temperature difference between surface seawater, which can be up to 29 degrees Celsius, and deep seawater, which is
only
5 degrees Celsius.
The main components of the system are an evacuated evaporation
chamber
, a turbine and a condensing
chamber
. The solar energy of the sun heats up the surface
water
and this warm
water
is introduced
into the evacuated evaporation
chamber
, where it boils. As it boils, salt
is deposited
and
water
vapour
is generated
. This
vapour
then drives a turbine to generate electricity. After it powers the turbine, the
water
vapour
enters the condensing
chamber
, which
is cooled
by the
water
from the depths of the ocean. The
water
vapour
is condensed
in this
chamber
, producing drinking
water
. Meanwhile, waste salt
water
is discharged
into the ocean and the process can
be repeated
.