Computer simulation of the performance of a solar pond in the southern part of Iran

Abstract

In this study a computer model of a solar pond to be built in the southern part of Iran is developed. The input to the program is the daily solar radiation, ambient temperature, evaporation rate, etc. The temperature rise of the pond for various rates of energy removal is the output of the program. A parametric study on such a computer simulation for optimization of performance of the actual solar pond is quite economical. Several computer experiments are carried out for various conditions of interest of the area around Shiraz in the southern part of Iran. Temperature rise of the bottom of the pond is calculated for different rates of energy removal. It is observed that after a few months of operation, the temperature of the bottom of the pond becomes sufficiently high to allow energy extraction from the pond. The temperature variation of the pond for different overall efficiencies of the pond under various conditions are also obtained and discussed. The response of the pond to several consecutive days of cloudiness is also studied. It is concluded that solar ponds are also reliable solar collector-storage systems for this part of the world.