Seawater temperature difference energy refers to the thermal energy that maintains the water temperature difference between surface seawater and seawater deep. It is an important form of ocean energy. The ocean surface converts most of the sun's radiant energy into warm water and stores it in the upper layers of the ocean. On the other hand, large areas of near-freezing water flow slowly from the poles toward the equator at depths less than 1,000 meters. In this way, vertical seawater temperature differences of more than 20°C occur throughout the year in many tropical or subtropical marine areas. This temperature difference can be used to carry out thermodynamic cycles and produce electricity.
The source of energy for ocean temperature difference is solar energy.
Ocean thermal energy comes primarily from solar energy:
The planet's oceans are large, and tropical oceans are also quite large. Ocean thermal energy can be replenished after use and is worth developing and using. According to calculations, as long as half of the ocean surface between 20 degrees south latitude and 20 degrees north latitude is used for electricity generation, the sea water temperature will only drop by 1° C on average;
Efficient use of ocean thermal energy:
It can obtain 60 billion kilowatts of electrical energy, equivalent to all electrical energy currently produced around the world. Experts estimate that the U.S. East Coast alone can get 75 times the electricity the U.S. needed in 1980 from warm current coming from the Gulf of Mexico. It is necessary to use the energy of thedifference in sea water temperature to serve human beings.
Arsene Arsonval of France first proposed the idea of generating electricity from ocean temperature differences in 1881. That is, the invention of 'a power plant that uses the temperature difference between the surface layer (heat source) and the deep layer (cold source) of seawater to produce electricity. So, in 1930, Claude successfully used the energy of the ocean temperature difference to generate electricity for the first time off the coast of Cuba. However, pure electricity production was negative.
Benefits of Ocean Temperature Difference Energy:
The ocean makes up 70% of the Earth's surface. Since this energy comes from the sun, we can say that it is inexhaustible and inexhaustible. The difference in sea water temperature is onlyof 20°C and this is low quality energy. The maximum conversion efficiency is only about 4%. It is a natural energy source and does not cause environmental pollution. Compared to other natural energy sources, it can be used day or night and is not limited by time, season, climate and other conditions.
Stable energy supply. Because sea water is corrosive and bio-fouling. Therefore, the equipment should consider using corrosion-resistant and less polluting materials, and at the same time consider countermeasures to resist biofouling. Since seawater pumped from the depths contains more nutrients, it is conducive to increasing marine fisheries production.
Use the temperature difference between tropical ocean surface water and cold sea water at a depth of 760 meters to produce dand electricity. The biggest advantage of the ocean thermal energy conversion device is that it can work continuously without being affected by tidal changes and waves. Additionally, not only does it produce no air pollutants or radioactive waste, its byproduct is high-quality desalinated seawater. The surface water temperature of tropical seas is generally around 27°C.