The 1 MWE OTEC Pilot Plant In Jamaica

A favourable place for OTEC power plants is Jamaica. Successful OTEC installations would radically decrease that country´s severe dependence on imported oil. In 1981, an agreement was signed between Alfa-Laval AB, SWECO, OY Wiik & Höglund AB and the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, regarding preliminary design of a 1 MWe OTEC pilot plant in Jamaica. After careful on-and offshore investigations at several potential sites one near Kingston was selected. A shore-based closed cycle power plant with best available state-of-the-art components was designed. Crossflow plate heat exchangers and a high density polyethylene cold water pipe constitute the highlights of the design. In order to determine fouling conditions and appropriate countermeasures for the specific site, the Alfa-Laval mobile biofouling test rig was installed at the site in late 82. It is scheduled to be in operation for 18 months.