An investigation of heat exchangers for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems

Analytical results for the design of evaporators and condensers for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems are presented. The generalized digital computer program for OTEC thermal cycle analysis developed at the University of Massachusetts was used for several parametric studies. These included the investigation of: (1) power plant size, (2) heat exchanger materials, (3) detailed investigation of plastic plate-fin exchangers, (4) siting choice, (5) tube bank evaporators, (6) fouling effects, and (7) evaporator recirculation. Models are developed for evaluation of the steady-state off-design performance of both the evaporator and condenser, and an initial off-design study is made of a particular system design. (GRA)