Question

A proposed ocean thermal-energy conversion (OTEC) system is a heat engine that would operate between warm water (16°C) at the ocean's surface and cooler water (6°C) 1,300 m below the surface. What is the maximum possible efficiency of the system? Enter your answer accurate to two decimal places.

Answer 1

Answer:

$3.46$ %

Explanation:

We have given cooler temperature that is $T_c$ = 6°C =273+6=279 K

And the warm temperature of water that is $T_h=16^{\circ}C=16+273=289\ K$

The maximum possible efficiency is given by $\eta =1-\frac{T_c}{T_h}$

So maximum efficiency $\eta =1-\frac{T_c}{T_h}=1-\frac{279}{289}=0.0346=3.46$ %