Introduction

What's Our Problem and Why

Who am I

Ocean Rift Geothermal Energy

Ocean Rift Geothermal Power Plant (Figure 1)

Geothermal Source (Figure 2)

Electrical Energy With No Air Pollution

Principles of Operation

Basic Advantages of the Concept

The Potential

Expected Impact

Potential Sites

Water & Mineral Recovery

Water & Mineral Recovery
Design (Figure 3)

The Next Steps

Full-Size Power Plant

Appendix A

Preliminary Cost Estimate

 

Ocean Rift Geothermal Energy

The following concept outlines a technically feasible means of extracting ocean rift geothermal energy. The method described is especially intriguing as its by-products of fresh water production and mineral extraction offer additional possibilities.

Oceanic research in the last decade has determined the existence of over 60,000 miles of underwater volcanic rifts that produce hot water environments for periods of time long enough to produce new life forms. High temperatures at great pressure have been documented -- these are the same conditions created in modem power plants to produce steam for generating electrical power. At present, this energy is dissipated in the immense oceanic sink, and has little effect on the surface of the sea.

It can be demonstrated with basic thermodynamics that it is theoretically feasible with state-of-the-art technology, to capture this enormous energy source. In general, water will exist as a liquid at elevated temperatures if a correspondingly high pressure is maintained. These conditions can be created in numerous locations on the sea floor. Simply reduce the pressure and with the resulting steam passing through a gas turbine connected to a generator electricity is produced. A thermodynamic process analysis is demonstrated in Appendix A.