Modeling of a salt gradient solar pond under Moroccan climate taking into account double-diffusive convection

Abstract

This study concerns a numerical investigation of the influence of Soret and Dufour effects on heat transfer and the amount of heat stored inside a salt gradient solar pond (SGSP) under meteorological conditions of Tangier (Morocco). This SGSP consists of a square cavity open and filled with saline water. The bottom and two lateral walls of this cavity are insulated and impermeable. The Navier-Stokes, thermal energy and diffusion equations are solved using a finite volume scheme and Gauss method. The link between pressure and velocity fields is assumed by the SIMPLE algorithm. The numerical code developed in FORTRAN 95 language was validated with numerical and experimental published works. Results show that Soret effects have not an effect on thermal performance of the SGSP compared to Dufour effect. This last one influences the temperature distribution inside the SGSP and causes a great reduction of the amount of heat stored.