Posted: March 10th, 2017

Furthermore, assume that no mixing occurs between the two streams and that the effect of heat conduction is negligible. If the flow of the cold stream is 16 x 106 m3/s and its initial temperature is 278 K while the flow of the hot stream is 20 x 106 m3/s and its initial temperature is 300 K, calculate the maximum power

In several parts of the world there exist ocean currents of differing temperatures that come into close proximity. It has been proposed that work can be obtained from these ocean currents using a heat engine that operates between the warm current as a source and the cold current as a sink. Assuming that the system may be simplified into two channels of water in close proximity flowing cocurrently or countercurrently. Furthermore, assume that no mixing occurs between the two streams and that the effect of heat conduction is negligible. If the flow of the cold stream is 16 x 106 m3/s and its initial temperature is 278 K while the flow of the hot stream is 20 x 106 m3/s and its initial temperature is 300 K, calculate the maximum power (Carnot Engines) attainable from these streams if the two steams flow (a) cocurrently and (b) if they flow countercurrently. What is the minimum approach temperature and were does it occur?