Exergy variations of the gradient layer in a shallow solar pond

Abstract

Abstract. A salinity gradient solar pond can act as a solar thermal energy storage source for all seasons of the year and in all weather conditions. Solar pond layers exergy can be considered as the potential for getting the maximum amount of work done. Exergy in a gradient layer was studied based on the experimental data of the years 1997 and 1998 for 229 days in a solar pond in Ferdowsi university of Mashhad. The research revealed that variations of specific exergy (exergy per unit mass) for gradient layer, is affected by temperature variations of lower and upper convective layers. The specific exergy reached its maximum in mid-August, but the exergy per pond unit area in the early period of that month reached the maximum amount, because in addition to the temperature variations of the lower and upper convective layers, the time variations of the gradient layer thickness also affect exergy variations per unit area.