Vertical temperature gradient of the ocean as perspective source of renewable energy

Abstract

In our research we studied the efficiency of converting low-grade heat into electrical energy. The studied cycle is based on sulphuric acid solutions separation in temperature gradient and further electricity generation in concentration galvanic cell. In our calculations we used combined method. To calculate obtained electrical energy we used experimental date, because it is rather difficult to predict electrodes overpotential. The heat, consumed in distilling process, was calculated in theory. As the result of calculations it was shown that if temperature difference is 20 K (T1=300K and T2=280 K) the efficiency of the cycle is about 1.5 percent (about 23% of Carnot cycle efficiency). Such temperature difference could be provided, for example, by vertical thermal gradient of the ocean.