An experimental power plant at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii generates

Question

An experimental power plant at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii generates electricity from the temperature gradient of the ocean. The surface and deep-water temperatures are 27°C and 6°C, respectively.

(a) What is the maximum theoretical efficiency of this power plant?
%

(b) If the power plant is to produce 215 kW of power, at what rate must heat be extracted from the warm water? Assume the maximum theoretical efficiency.
MW
At what rate must heat be absorbed by the cold water?
MW

(c) The cold water that enters the plant leaves it at a temperature of 10°C. What must be the flow rate of cold water through the system? Give you answer in kg/h and L/h.
kg/h
L/h

Explanation / Answer

(a) maximum theoretical efficiency=Th=Tc/Th

Th=27=273=300

Tc=6+273=279

maximum efficiency=0.07 or 7 percent

(b) efficiency=work /heat given=215/(Q-215)=0.07

Q=heat given=3286.43

heat extracted = Q-W=3071.43

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