Operation Control and Performance Analysis of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion System Based on the Organic Rankine Cycle

Abstract

The development and utilization of marine renewable energy is an important measure for achieving energy conservation, emissions reduction and carbon neutrality. Ocean thermal energy is the most stable energy among all the types of marine renewable energy. This paper built a simulation model of an ocean thermal energy conversion system based on actual device specifications by Aspen and MATLAB and put forward a corresponding control strategy. The opening control signal of the control valve at the turbine inlet was the condenser inlet pressure in this paper, and the frequency control of the working fluid pump depended on the evaporating pressure and flow rate of the working fluid. This paper analyzed the key operating parameter changes of the system under different working conditions. According to the analysis results, the turbogenerator in this system was able to generate 50 kW power for about 8 months per year. The highest net output power of the Organic Rankine Cycle was 47.3 kW; the highest cycle thermal efficiency was 3.2%.