The present invention relates to the utilization of deep ocean seawater in cooling water for offshore process applications. The present invention contemplates extracting deep seawater from regions of the ocean having minimal biological productivity for use as cooling water in offshore operations. In one embodiment, a sea water extraction system according to the invention may include a submersible pump, a pipe and riser, a floating vessel, a transfer pipe, and a cooling water heat exchanger system.

The present invention relates to the utilization of deep ocean seawater in cooling water for offshore process applications. The present invention contemplates extracting deep seawater from regions of the ocean having minimal biological productivity for use as cooling water in offshore operations. In one embodiment, a sea water extraction system according to the invention may include a submersible pump, a pipe and riser, a floating vessel, a transfer pipe, and a cooling water heat exchanger system.

The present invention relates to the utilization of deep ocean seawater in cooling water for offshore process applications. The present invention contemplates extracting deep seawater from regions of the ocean having minimal biological productivity for use as cooling water in offshore operations. In one embodiment, a sea water extraction system according to the invention may include a submersible pump, a pipe and riser, a floating vessel, a transfer pipe, and a cooling water heat exchanger system.

An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.

An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.

This large flexible submarine conduit system (10) for a platform floating at sea includes: a flexible conduit (12) including a plurality of sheets (26A, 26B, 26C) linked together by a sliding closure (28) on each of the lateral sides of the sheets, the conduit (12) including elements for maintaining a circular cross-section of the conduit (12) that are both flexible and flattenable; and a device capable of being placed on the platform at the upper end of the conduit (12), allowing winding and unwinding of each of the sheets (26A, 26B, 26C) of the conduit (12), this device including a drum (14A, 14B, 14C) for each of the sheets (26A, 26B, 26C).

This large flexible submarine conduit system (10) for a platform floating at sea includes: a flexible conduit (12) including a plurality of sheets (26A, 26B, 26C) linked together by a sliding closure (28) on each of the lateral sides of the sheets, the conduit (12) including elements for maintaining a circular cross-section of the conduit (12) that are both flexible and flattenable; and a device capable of being placed on the platform at the upper end of the conduit (12), allowing winding and unwinding of each of the sheets (26A, 26B, 26C) of the conduit (12), this device including a drum (14A, 14B, 14C) for each of the sheets (26A, 26B, 26C).

A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of plates that are demountably attached to a frame is disclosed. Each plate comprises a plurality of channels for conveying a primary fluid through the heat exchanger. The frames are arranged in the frame so that spaces between adjacent frame pairs define conduits for conveying a secondary fluid through the heat exchanger. The plates are mounted in the frame so that they can be individually removed from the frame. Further, each of the channels is fluidically connected to input and output ports for the primary fluid by detachable couplings. As a result, heat exchangers in accordance with the present invention are more easily repaired or refurbished than prior-art heat exchangers.

A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of plates that are demountably attached to a frame is disclosed. Each plate comprises a plurality of channels for conveying a primary fluid through the heat exchanger. The frames are arranged in the frame so that spaces between adjacent frame pairs define conduits for conveying a secondary fluid through the heat exchanger. The plates are mounted in the frame so that they can be individually removed from the frame. Further, each of the channels is fluidically connected to input and output ports for the primary fluid by detachable couplings. As a result, heat exchangers in accordance with the present invention are more easily repaired or refurbished than prior-art heat exchangers.

An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system having a turbine with an upstream side and a downstream side. Warm water under a partial vacuum is converted into a vapor, the vapor being supplied to the upstream side of the turbine at a pressure controlled by the temperature of the warm water. A condenser is situated on the downstream side of the turbine to cause the vapor, after passing through the turbine, to undergo a phase change back to a liquid, which can be used as potable water. The condenser is coupled to a source of a cooling liquid, and the pressure of the vapor on the downstream side of the turbine is determined by the temperature of the cooling liquid. A flexible floating solar collector supplies the warm liquid to the upstream side at a temperature higher than normal ambient temperature.