Platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea

A platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea, said platform comprising:

• a floating structure carrying a downwardly extending tube for taking up cold water,
• at least two power modules supported on said floating structure,
• each power module comprising an evaporator and a condenser and pumps for circulation of hot and cold water,
• each power module being connected to a turbine-driven generator set,
• the improvement wherein the support structure has open upright cells receiving said power modules, and wherein each module has its component parts arranged in a vertical array so as to constitute a cylindrical assembly extending through the support structure cell, and
• wherein said structure further comprises lifting equipment and each module comprises an integrated moving tower so as to constitute a cartridge movable vertically by said lifting equipment carried by the support structure.

A platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea, said platform comprising:

• a floating structure carrying a downwardly extending tube for taking up cold water,
• at least two power modules supported on said floating structure,
• each power module comprising an evaporator and a condenser and pumps for circulation of hot and cold water,
• each power module being connected to a turbine-driven generator set,
• the improvement wherein the support structure has open upright cells receiving said power modules, and wherein each module has its component parts arranged in a vertical array so as to constitute a cylindrical assembly extending through the support structure cell, and
• wherein said hot and cold water circulating pumps in each module have rotors driven by a common and substantially vertical shaft.

A platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea, said platform comprising:

• a floating structure carrying a downwardly extending tube for taking up cold water,
• at least two power modules supported on said floating structure,
• each power module comprising an evaporator and a condenser and pumps for circulation of hot and cold water,
• each power module being connected to a turbine-driven generator set,
• the improvement wherein the support structure has open upright cells receiving said power modules, and wherein each module has its component parts arranged in a vertical array so as to constitute a cylindrical assembly extending through the support structure cell, and
• wherein each module comprises a circuit for the passage of a cryogenic fluid passing through the turbine of the associated turbine-driven generator set, and
• wherein said pump includes a pump rotor drive shaft and a portion of the circuit carries the expanded gas towards the condenser and comprises a conduit which is inside and coaxial with the pump rotor drive shaft.

A platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea, said platform comprising:

• a floating structure carrying a downwardly extending tube for taking up cold water,
• at least two power modules supported on said floating structure,
• each power module comprising an evaporator and a condenser and pumps for circulation of hot and cold water,
• each power module being connected to a turbine-driven generator set,
• the improvement wherein the support structure has open upright cells receiving said power modules, and wherein each module has its component parts arranged in a vertical array so as to constitute a cylindrical assembly extending through the support structure cell, and
• wherein the downwardly extending tube is attached to said support structure by self-contained means decoupling the movement of said platform from that of said tube, whatever the directions of said movements, and
• wherein said support structure is semi-submersible and comprises a cellular concrete base surmounted by columns supporting a working deck, each module passing through said base and said working deck, and wherein said tube discharges into a central cell of said base communicating with the cells receiving power modules, and wherein said central cell is a cylindrical chamber aligned with the vertical axis of said platform, the lower portion of said chamber passing through the apron of said structure, the upper portion thereof being in open communication with the atmosphere, said self-contained support means for said downwardly extending tube comprising suspension cables connecting said tube to at least one floatation unit disposed in said cylindrical chamber, and a seal is provided between said chamber and said tube.