Ocean thermal energy conversion by deliberate seawater salinization

Abstract

Consideration is given to the possibility of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) by the deliberate salinization of surface seawater. The proposed technique is similar to traditional OTEC, with one important exception: rather than cold water being brought from the bottom to the surface, the warm surface water is circulated to the bottom, cooled there, and lifted back to the surface. The entire process is driven by the induced salinity gradient at the surface. As a result, there is no need for a pumping system to bring the cold bottom water to the surface. Two methods are explored for surface salinity enhancement, namely solar evaporation and the direct addition of salt to the seawater.