Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Systems (OTEC)

This chapter presents thermal characterizations of ocean water and methods of calculating actual values for ocean water specific heat capacities, and then presentation of ocean thermal energy conversion systems (OTEC)-cold water pipe (CWP) systems which is in the forefront from the standpoint of operation and economic feasibility as a promising OTEC plant. Economic feasibility of OTEC systems are along the road of continuous research which seeks reliable data and information about ocean water in tropical zones including conditions of salinity, temperature contours, pressure distribution, thermal and electrical conductivities, specific heats, and most importantly the operating efficiency. The chapter presents polynomial modelling for thermal properties of ocean water that are relevant to OTEC processes. Thermal energy extracted consequently could be used in a conventional steam cycle power plant, istentropic decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen followed by using both H 2 and O 2 as fuel in conventional H 2 -O 2 fuel cell.