Evolution and novel accomplishments of solar pond, desalination and pond coupled to desalination systems: a review

Abstract

Globally, energy is a dynamic element that makes people's major energy demands. There are a variety of energies; the one that is stupendous potential is solar. Solar energy is an efficient problem solving one to eliminate pollution from the environment and water scarcity. This review article provides the accomplishments in the progress of the solar pond, solar desalination and integration of both the systems in the recent years. The solar pool is one of the thermal energy storing systems which perform as a huge solar radiation collector to capture and store sun’s rays. The accumulated heat in the solar pool is weighed as the low category thermal energy. Hence, to enhance the performance upgrades are mandatory. Initially, use of unique salts and various additives is studied. And then, ingenious empirical works and several layers for minimizing the thermal losses from the upper and lower layers are exhibited. Heat removal techniques from the heat storage zone and mathematical model analysis are discussed. In addition, solar desalination unit is one of the possibilities for the effective production of sweet water from any form of polluted water (marine, brackish and contaminated water). Solar still is a trouble-free device utilized by condensation and evaporation processes to improve the limpidity of the water with the utilization of solar energy. This work made an attempt to classify various still designs with the greater volume of production. And also it analyzes the new innovations and thermal energy transfer process to reach at positive judgment. Desalination system performance is low for conventional approach, as desalination plant efficiency is relative to inlet water temperature, to upgrade it the solar pond coupled to desalination unit. With the exploitation of brine concentration and recovery system and multi-stage flash, fins and flat plate collector helps to elevate the beneficial solar pond and desalination output. This comprehensive review will guide the imminent researchers who desire to accelerate the performance of the pond and desalination units further.