Recent development in salinity gradient power

An often-overlooked source of marine renewable energy is the energy available from salinity gradients. The potential resource for the osmotic pairing of fresh water and seawater is estimated at 2.6 TW. Several concepts have been proposed. Obviously, any scheme to desalinate seawater can be operated in reverse. Recent developments in pressure-retarded osmosis, vapor compression, reverse dialysis and hydrocratic generation are highlighted. Commercial barriers prevent necessary investment. The power available in salinity gradients will be exploited, but not without substantial investment.

[1]  J. Isaacs,et al.  Ocean Energy: Forms and Prospects , 1980, Science.

[2]  Markku J. Lampinen,et al.  Thermodynamic optimizing of pressure-retarded osmosis power generation systems , 1999 .

[3]  Takeo Honda,et al.  Comparative mechanical efficiency of several plant configurations using a pressure-retarded osmosis energy converter , 1990 .

[4]  S. Loeb.  Energy production at the Dead Sea by pressure-retarded osmosis: challenge or chimera? , 1998 .

[5]  G. Wick,et al.  Mineral salt: a source of costly energy? , 1979, Science.

[6]  G. Wick,et al.  Salt Domes: Is There More Energy Available from Their Salt than from Their Oil? , 1978, Science.

[7]  R. S. Norman.  Water Salination: A Source of Energy , 1974, Science.

[8]  S. Loeb.  Large-scale power production by pressure-retarded osmosis, using river water and sea water passing through spiral modules , 2002 .

[9]  Sidney Loeb,et al.  One hundred and thirty benign and renewable megawatts from Great Salt lake? The possibilities of hydroelectric power by pressure-retarded osmosis , 2001 .

[10]  J. Weinstein,et al.  Electric Power from Differences in Salinity: The Dialytic Battery , 1976, Science.

[11]  J. E. Cavanagh,et al.  Ocean energy systems , 1993 .

[12]  S. Loeb,et al.  Production of energy from concentrated brines by pressure-retarded osmosis : II. Experimental results and projected energy costs , 1976 .

[13]  Sidney Loeb,et al.  Production of energy from concentrated brines by pressure-retarded osmosis , 1976 .

[14]  Henry Kelly,et al.  Renewable energy : sources for fuels and electricity , 1993 .

[15]  O. Levenspiel,et al.  The Osmotic Pump: In principle, but probably not in practice, fresh water can be extracted from our oceans for no expenditure of energy. , 1974, Science.

[16]  G. Wick,et al.  Salinity Gradient Power: Utilizing Vapor Pressure Differences , 1979, Science.

[17]  Anthony T. Jones,et al.  Global perspective: Economic forecast for renewable ocean energy technologies , 2002 .

[18]  R. S. Norman,et al.  Osmotic power plants. , 1975, Science.