Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

OTEC Brings ancient cold water from depths of 1000 Meters to the tropical surface.
Condensation of pure water occurs from the hot water vapor.
A 40 Degree (f) temperature difference can yield “perpetual motion.”

Just as water condenses on the outside of a cold glass, fresh water condenses from warm water vapor in contact with the OTEC Plant Condenser cooled by deep ocean water. Applying a light vacuum may generate a flash of steam, which, in turn, may be used to generate both plant and ship power. Part of the evaporation process is to first remove valuable dissolved gases (Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen) which may be compressed and sold as a by-product or combined on board as finished fertilizer, methanol, etc.

This process is established in most power regeneration systems in use today as part of conventional power plants so the component equipment is designed and commercially available, though seldom in this arrangement.

Most OTEC development so far has aimed at using OTEC as a power source, though it's not very efficient. CaribOTEC aims to use OTEC's power as an unlimited source of potable water.

Deep ocean water migrates south from the North Pole over millenia, it’s cold and less salty than surface water so once raised and warmed, it tends to float. That upwelling, once started, doesn't take much energy. It is rich in nutrients, providing mariculture opportunities.

And, of course, it's very cold. The National Energy Laboratory in Hawaii has also experimented with refrigeration systems for warehousing using Deep Ocean Water.

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