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Working Fluid Screening for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Applications

Published

Author(s)

Ian H. Bell

Abstract

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is among the small number of renewable energy production systems that can provide base load capacity. Ammonia has long been proposed and tested as a working fluid for these systems. Are there any other superior fluids from a purely thermodynamic standpoint? This question was probed based on the use of highly accurate thermodynamic equations of state, and a few other possible working fluids have been identified, but many candidates have disqualifying features: acute toxicity, high global warming potential, high ozone depletion potential, extreme flammability or very low condensing pressures. No identified fluids were obviously superior to ammonia, though CO2 and water deserve further study.
Proceedings Title
IIR International Rankine 2020 Conference - Heating, Cooling and Power Generation – 26-29 July
2020, Glasgow, UK
Conference Dates
July 26-29, 2020
Conference Location
Glasgow

Citation

Bell, I. (2020), Working Fluid Screening for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Applications, IIR International Rankine 2020 Conference - Heating, Cooling and Power Generation – 26-29 July 2020, Glasgow, UK, Glasgow, -1 (Accessed October 15, 2025)

Issues

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Created July 26, 2020, Updated July 8, 2020
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