Performance analysis of OTEC system using Kalina cycle (thermodynamic characteristics of cycle)

Parametric performance analysis of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system using the Kalina cycle is carried out. The Kalina cycle utilizes an ammonia/water mixture as the working fluid. The parameters in the performance analysis consist of the warm sea water inlet temperature, the cold sea water inlet temperature, the heat transfer performance of the evaporator, condenser and regenerator, the turbine inlet pressure, the turbine inlet temperature and the mass fraction of ammonia. In this analysis, effects of these parameters on the thermal efficiency of OTEC using the Kalina cycle are clarified. The thermal efficiency of OTEC using the Kalina cycle can reach up to about 5 percent with the warm sea water inlet temperature of 28°C and the cold sea water inlet temperature of 4°C. Thermodynamic physical properties of ammonia/water mixtures are calculated using an improved version of the modified Benedict-Webb-Rubin (BWR) equation of state.