Experimental study in a shallow solar pond

Abstract

In this study, a theoretical model which is validated experimentally is used to predict the performance of a shallow solar pond in Tehran. The theoretical and experimental results show good agreement. The maximum hourly water temperature of the shallow solar pond is found to lag the maximum hourly ambient temperature and solar radiation by 1–2 and 3.5 h, respectively. The maximum monthly daily-average water temperature follows the trend of the monthly daily-average solar radiation but leads the monthly daily-average ambient temperature in one month. The shallow solar pond with 10 cm water depth cannot be used as a thermal source in winter-time but can be used for many thermal applications in summer-time. With 5 cm water depth, the shallow solar pond can be used as a thermal source for low heat applications in most of the winter-time but can be used even for moderate applications where high temperatures up to 95°C are obtained in summer-time. Using a reflector makes the 10-cm-deep shallow solar pond suitable for use in low heat applications and the 5-cm-deep pond suitable to be used for moderate heat applications in most of the winter-time. Using a double cover top glazing is found to have no effect on improving the system's performance.