US 4,726,191 AGranted

Sea water well and aquaculture preserve, and the combination with a power generation system

OwnerBruce K. Kawamurainventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A power generation system of the ocean thermal energy conversion type including one of a closed or open system and a working fluid capable of undergoing a change in state from a liquid to a vapor state and back to the liquid state after expansion. The system includes an evaporator and a condenser, and a liquid line communicating a liquid (ocean water) at a required temperature to cause condensation of the working fluid after the working fluid has been evaporated and expanded through a turbine. The liquid line in communication with cold water is characterized by a well disposed in solid land adjacent the ocean and the direct supply of water either comprising a working fluid or for evaporating the working fluid. Water flow from the system may be released to an aquaculture preserve.

Claims9

Dependent claims

In combination:

(a) a power generation apparatus including
(1) a system having
(i) an evaporator means for evaporating a working fluid which exists partially in a liquid state and adapted to be vaporized, expanded and returned to said liquid state within said system,
(ii) a condenser means for condensing the evaporated working fluid, and
(iii) an expansion means for expanding the working fluid, and
(2) fluid flow means including
(i) a first inlet conduit for communicating sea water at a first temperature to said evaporator means, said sea water at said first temperature providing the necessary heat to evaporate said working fluid,
(ii) a second inlet conduit for communicating sea water at a second temperature to said condenser means, said second temperature being lower than said first temperature by an amount sufficient to condense the evaporated, expanded working fluid, and
(iii) an outlet conduit for sea water connecting with said evaporator means and said condenser means,
(3) well means forming said second inlet conduit, said well means being located in the solid land mass to extend below a surface to a depth at which an open end of said well means is located within a body of said sea water at said second temperature as shall have filled a void in said solid land mass, and
(4) an aquaculture preserved in the form of a reservoir for retention of sea water and marine life to be cultivated, said outlet conduit for passing said sea water communicating with said reservoir whereby said sea water from said system replenishes said reservoir to nourish all marine life therein.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.