Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Cold Water Pipe

Abstract

An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having heat exchange sections, power generation sections, a cold water pipe and a cold water pipe connection. The cold water pipe comprises a plurality of offset first and second staved portions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pipe comprising:
 an elongated tubular structure having an outer surface, a top end and a bottom end, the tubular structure comprising:   a plurality of first and second stave segments, each stave segment having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the second stave segment is offset from the top portion of the first staved segment.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe of  claim 1  further comprising a strake at least partially wound around the pipe on the outside surface of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe of  claim 2  wherein the strake extends from the bottom end to the top end of the tubular structure and at least partially covers the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe of  claim 2  wherein the strake comprises the same material as the first and second stave segments. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe of  claim 1  wherein each stave segment further comprises a tongue on a first side and a groove on a second side for mating engagement with an adjacent stave segment. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe of  claim 1  wherein each stave segment is between 30 feet and 90 feet between the bottom portion and the top portion. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe of  claim 5  wherein each stave segment is between 10 inches and 120 inches between the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe of  claim 1  wherein each stave segment is pulltruded, extruded, or molded. 
     
     
         9 . The pipe of  claim 1  wherein each stave segment comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), reinforced polymer mortar (RPMP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), cross-linked high-density polyethylene (PEX), polybutylene (PB), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); polyester, fiber reinforced polyester, nylon reinforced polyester, vinyl ester, fiber reinforced vinyl ester, nylon reinforced vinyl ester, concrete, ceramic, or a composite of one or more thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe of  claim 1  wherein each stave segment comprises at least one internal void. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe of  claim 10  wherein the at least one void is filled with water, polycarbonate foam, or syntactic foam. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of first and second stave segments are adhesively bonded. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe of  claim 10  wherein the pipe forms a cold water pipe for an OTEC power plant. 
     
     
         14 . An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion, the submerged portion further comprising:
 a heat exchange portion;   a power generation portion; and   a cold water pipe comprising a plurality of offset first and second stave segments.   
     
     
         15 . The offshore power generation structure of  claim 14  wherein each stave segment comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), reinforced polymer mortar (RPMP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), cross-linked high-density polyethylene (PEX), polybutylene (PB), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); polyester, fiber reinforced polyester, vinyl ester, reinforced vinyl ester, concrete, ceramic, or a composite of one or more thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The offshore power generation structure of  claim 14  wherein the first and second stave segments are adhesively bonded. 
     
     
         17 . The offshore power generation structure of  claim 14  wherein the cold water pipe further comprises a ribbon at least partially rapping the cold water pipe. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a cold water pipe for use in an OTEC power plant, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of first and second stave segments; and   adhesively bonding alternating first and second stave segments such that the second stave segments are offset from the first stave segments to form a continuous elongated tube.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each of the stave segments comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), reinforced polymer mortar (RPMP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), cross-linked high-density polyethylene (PEX), polybutylene (PB), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); polyester, fiber reinforced polyester, vinyl ester, reinforced vinyl ester, concrete, ceramic, or a composite of one or more thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein comprises a tongue on a first side and a groove on a second side for mating engagement with an adjacent stave segment.