Question

There has long been an interest in using the vast quantities of thermal energy in the oceans to run heat engines. A heat engine needs a temperature difference, a hot side and a cold side. Conveniently, the ocean surface waters are warmer than the deep ocean waters. Suppose you build a floating power plant in the tropics where the surface water temperature is ≈ 35 ∘C. This would be the hot reservoir of the engine. For the cold reservoir, water would be pumped up from the ocean bottom where it is always ≈ 4 ∘C.

What is the maximum possible efficiency of such a power plant?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

In Carnot engine , temperature difference is used to get work output .

The maximum efficiency of a Carnot engine

= (T₁ - T₂) / T₁

where T₁ is temperature of hot reservoir , and T₂ is temperature of cold reservoir

= efficiency = ( 35 - 4 ) / ( 273 + 35 )

= 31 / 308

in percentage terms

efficiency = (31 / 308) x 100

= 10.06 % .