Definition of the Subject
Production of energy for daily use involves conversion of energy from one form to another. Successful power generation techniques are those that make use of inexpensive energy sources and that utilize efficient conversions. Chemical potential is a unique source of energy that under certain conditions can be converted to useful energy. One example is the conversion of salinity gradient to pressure and from pressure to kinetic energy in a turbo-generator [1, 2].
Conversion of chemical energy to kinetic energy and electric power can be achieved across semipermeable membranes using the pressure-retarded osmosis process powered by salinity gradient between two streams, a highly saline brine and fresh water. The idea is that in every place that rivers meet oceans or saline lakes (e.g., Dead Sea, Great Salt Lake, etc.) the salinity difference between the streams could be converted to useful energy or electricity [3, 4].
Introduction
Osmotic power, or...
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Cath, T.Y. (2018). Osmotic Power Generation. In: Bronicki, L. (eds) Power Stations Using Locally Available Energy Sources. Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7510-5_1029
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7510-5_1029
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