A: Vacuum pump which maintains low pressure in the structure. B: Inlet to allow warm water surface water to flow down to the turbine. C: Base of the structure 100M below surface where the turbine is located. D: Cold water pipe which extends to depth (usually 700 to 1000 meters depth). E: Location where cold water jets spray upwards into vessel.
The Mist lift, Mist flow or Steam lift pump is a gas lift technique of lifting water used in a form of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) where water falls to operate a hydro-electric turbine. The water is pumped from the level it drops to using rising steam which is combined into a multiphase flow.[1] Independent of energy production, the technique can be used simply as a thermally powered pump used to raise ocean water from depths for unspecified uses.[2]
- ^ US patent 4441321, Ridgway, Stuart L., "Compact mist flow power generator", published 1984-04-10
- ^ US patent 4603553, Ridgway, Stuart L., "Ballistic cold water pipe", published 1984-12-11