An energy collection apparatus includes an upper body and a lower body. The upper body has a first storage compartment, and is arranged to connect to an external energy generator. The lower body downwardly extends from the upper body, and has a second storage compartment. The energy collection apparatus is securely supported in a deep sea level above seabed so that when sea water enters the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, geothermal energy and pressure difference between the sea water in the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment create upthrust steam at a top portion of the first storage compartment, the upthrust steam being guided to reach the external energy generator for further use.

An energy collection apparatus includes an upper body and a lower body. The upper body has a first storage compartment, and is arranged to connect to an external energy generator. The lower body downwardly extends from the upper body, and has a second storage compartment. The energy collection apparatus is securely supported in a deep sea level above seabed so that when sea water enters the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, geothermal energy and pressure difference between the sea water in the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment create upthrust steam at a top portion of the first storage compartment, the upthrust steam being guided to reach the external energy generator for further use.

The present invention relates to an evaporator of a working fluid for an OTEC plant, comprising an elongated evaporator body extending along a main axis, a bundle of evaporators transporting hot water and extending along the main axis, and a sprinkling system extending above the bundle of evaporators and suitable for sprinkling the working fluid in the liquid state onto the bundle of evaporators in order to evaporate this working fluid.

The evaporator body defines a bottom and an exhaust space for the gaseous working fluid between the bottom and the bundle of evaporators. The evaporator further comprises a damper system arranged in the exhaust space and configured to damp the drop of working fluid droplets in a non-evaporated liquid state after passing through the bundle of evaporators.

The present invention relates to an evaporator of a working fluid for an OTEC plant, comprising an elongated evaporator body extending along a main axis, a bundle of evaporators transporting hot water and extending along the main axis, and a sprinkling system extending above the bundle of evaporators and suitable for sprinkling the working fluid in the liquid state onto the bundle of evaporators in order to evaporate this working fluid.

The evaporator body defines a bottom and an exhaust space for the gaseous working fluid between the bottom and the bundle of evaporators. The evaporator further comprises a damper system arranged in the exhaust space and configured to damp the drop of working fluid droplets in a non-evaporated liquid state after passing through the bundle of evaporators.

The present invention relates to an evaporator of a working fluid for an OTEC plant, comprising an elongated evaporator body extending along a main axis, a bundle of evaporators transporting hot water, a sprinkling system arranged in an upper part of the evaporator body, a system for evacuating the fluid in gaseous state and a guide system for the fluid in gaseous state towards the evacuation system. The guide system comprises an elongated cover extending along the main axis, covering the bundle of evaporators and the sprinkling system, and two partitioning means which are arranged at each end of the evaporator body and form on each of these ends a sealed connection between the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of the evaporator body.

The present invention relates to an evaporator of a working fluid for an OTEC plant, comprising an elongated evaporator body extending along a main axis, a bundle of evaporators transporting hot water, a sprinkling system arranged in an upper part of the evaporator body, a system for evacuating the fluid in gaseous state and a guide system for the fluid in gaseous state towards the evacuation system. The guide system comprises an elongated cover extending along the main axis, covering the bundle of evaporators and the sprinkling system, and two partitioning means which are arranged at each end of the evaporator body and form on each of these ends a sealed connection between the outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of the evaporator body.

The present invention relates to an evaporator of a working fluid for an OTEC plant, comprising an evaporator body, a bundle of evaporators extending along the central axis, subject to a pressure drop along this axis and suitable for evaporating the working fluid according to an evaporation profile defined based on this pressure drop and a spraying system comprising a working fluid supply network and a plurality of spray nozzles arranged on the supply network and able to spray the working fluid.

All of the spray nozzles have substantially the same spray rate and the arrangements of the spray nozzles in relation to the bundle of evaporators are chosen so as to ensure a predetermined spray profile along the central axis in accordance with the evaporation profile.

The present invention relates to an evaporator of a working fluid for an OTEC plant, comprising an evaporator body, a bundle of evaporators extending along the central axis, subject to a pressure drop along this axis and suitable for evaporating the working fluid according to an evaporation profile defined based on this pressure drop and a spraying system comprising a working fluid supply network and a plurality of spray nozzles arranged on the supply network and able to spray the working fluid.

All of the spray nozzles have substantially the same spray rate and the arrangements of the spray nozzles in relation to the bundle of evaporators are chosen so as to ensure a predetermined spray profile along the central axis in accordance with the evaporation profile.

The invention is an ocean thermal energy conversion method and a system in which a motive fluid having predetermined characteristics is circulated in a closed loop between a cold source in cold deep ocean water and heat sources in warm surface water. The motive fluid is compressed between the cold source and a first primary warm water heat source resulting in the motive fluid being substantially totally vaporized at an outlet of the warm water heat source. The motive fluid is heated downstream from the primary heat source by a secondary heat source. The thermal energy of the heated motive fluid is recovered from a turbine and the motive fluid is condensed in the cold source.

The invention is an ocean thermal energy conversion method and a system in which a motive fluid having predetermined characteristics is circulated in a closed loop between a cold source in cold deep ocean water and heat sources in warm surface water. The motive fluid is compressed between the cold source and a first primary warm water heat source resulting in the motive fluid being substantially totally vaporized at an outlet of the warm water heat source. The motive fluid is heated downstream from the primary heat source by a secondary heat source. The thermal energy of the heated motive fluid is recovered from a turbine and the motive fluid is condensed in the cold source.