SYSTEM AND PROCESS OF COOLING AN OTEC WORKING FLUID PUMP MOTOR

摘要

A cooling system and process in an OTEC system are described where the sub-cooled working liquid from the working fluid pump outlet is used to cool the working fluid pump motor, either directly or indirectly via heat exchange with a secondary fluid. The heat from the motor that is being rejected into the working fluid just prior to the working fluid flowing to the evaporator helps to alleviate heat duty in the evaporator meaning more potential for the evaporator to create energy. Also, because two-phase evaporators, such as those in an OTEC system, are less efficient than single-phase heat exchangers at single-phase heating, this pre-heating of the working fluid will help the evaporator performance substantially.

主权项

1. A method of increasing performance of an evaporator that evaporates a two-phase working fluid that is pumped to the evaporator by a pump driven by a motor, comprising:
using a portion of the working fluid from an outlet of the pump to exchange heat with the motor; and after exchanging heat with the motor, directing the portion of the working fluid back into the pump outlet or into an inlet of the pump prior to the working fluid flowing to the evaporator so that the working fluid that reaches the evaporator is at an increased temperature