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

`3.46` %

Step-by-step 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-(T_c)/(T_h)`

So maximum efficiency
`\eta =1-(T_c)/(T_h)=1-(279)/(289)=0.0346=3.46` %