Effect of fluctuation of surface sea water temperature and ambient pressure on evaporation rate of evaporator in barometric type OC‐OTEC system

Abstract Global environmental problems, such as global warming and the effects of acid rain, are expected to become more serious in the future. One methodology for solving this problem uses harmless energy resources. Ocean energy is one of such energy resources. This research involves a study of the OC‐OTEC system, which is one type of ocean thermal energy conversion technology. In this system, the steam that drives a turbine is generated in an evaporator and condenses in a condenser after passing through a turbine. However, the steam evaporating rate in an evaporator is affected by the fluctuations of surface sea water temperature and ambient pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to define the dynamic characteristics of the evaporator in order to gain constant power output. This paper presents an analysis as to how evaporation rate is affected when surface sea water temperature and ambient pressure change. Further, we clarify that the dynamic characteristics of the evaporator are more affected by fluctuations in the ambient pressure than in surface sea water temperature.