Ocean temperature energy conversion (OTEC) power plants generate power by utilizing the naturally occurring decrease with depth of the temperature of ocean water. Near Florida, the ocean surface temperature is 278C, while at a depth of 700 m the temperature is 78C.
(a) Determine the maximum thermal efficiency for any power cycle operating between these temperatures.
(b) The thermal efficiency of existing OTEC plants is approximately 2%. Compare this with the result of part (a) and comment.
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