Development of an electric power generation sytem from deep sea hydrothermal vent

为了调查热液喷口区域，使用AUV（AUV：自主水下航行器）和水下站进行长期和广域观测是必不可少的。为了给水下机器人/站提供稳定的能源，提出了一种利用热液喷口排出的热能发电的新方法。 在冲绳海槽的人工热液喷口进行了原型野外实验。 系统产生最大60瓦和平均45瓦，24V 17 Ah电池在一小时内部分充电。 使用TEM模块的原型的performanec和它的可用性大多数热液喷口网站进行了验证。 预计将为同时开发的自主式潜水器对接站开发一个强大的系统，用于观测热液区。

For investigating hydrothermal ventic areas, long-term and wide-area observations using AUVs (AUV: Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and underwater stations are essential. To supply ennergy stably to AUVs/stations, a new power production method by utlizing the thermal energy discharged from hydrothermal vent is proposed. THe field experiments using a prototype were carried out at artificial hydrothermal vent in the Okinawa Trough. Maximum 60 watts and average 45 watts were generated from the system and a 24V17Ah battery was partly recharged in one and harl hour. The performanec of a prototype using TEM modules and its availability for most hydrothermal vent sits were verified. Development of a robust sytem for an AUV docking station that was simultaneously developed is expected for the observations of the hydrothermal ventic areas.