Solar Pond Technology Research Articles

Spectral transmittance of water and sodium chloride water solution as working substance for a solar pond

The transmission properties of water and sodium chloride water solutions with various salt concentrations were investigated. This paper concerns the measurement of the spectral transmittance and the calculation of the total transmittance for water and NaCl water solutions. The spectral transmittance of the NaCl water solutions over the infrared and nearby regions increased with increasing salt concentration for constant specimen thickness and air mass. The spectral transmittance was found to be useful for precisely calculating the thermal performance of a solar pond, and by using an effective absorption coefficient, a five-partition method dividing the wavelengths into five bands by which the total transmittance up to a water depth of 3 m could be calculated, was found to be important as a practical method of solar pond technology. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Heat Trans Jpn Res, 26(1): 1–15, 1997

Spectral Transmittance of Water and Sodium Chloride-Water Solution as Working Substance for Solar Pond.

The transmission property of water and sodium chloride-water solutions with various salinity concentrations was clarified using spectra. This paper deals with the measurement of the spectral transmittance and the calculation of the total transmittance for water and NaCl-water solutions. The spectral transmittance of the NaCl-water solution over the infrared and nearby regions increased with increasing salinity concentration for constant specimen thickness and air mass. It was found that the spectral transmittance was useful for precisely calculating of the thermal performance of a solar pond, and by using an effective absorption coefficient, a 5-partition method dividing wavelength into five bands by which the total transmittance up to a water depth of 3m could be calculated, was found to be important practical example of solar pond technology.

Solar pond technology

Solar pond technology has made substantial progress in the last fifteen years. This paper reviews the basic principles of solar ponds and the problems encountered in their operation and maintenance. The factors which influence the technical and economic viability of solar ponds for thermal applications and power generation have been discussed.

An experimental study to develop a suitable polymer to float over fresh water for energy collection and storage

Abstract Solar gel is an alternate solar pond technology which overcomes the shortcomings of a conventional salt‐gradient solar pond. In this study, experimental results on the development of a suitable gel for the gel pond application are presented. The research is focused on developing a gel which can float on fresh water and to study ways of eliminating bubbles in a gel. A careful review of literature revealed many potential monomers, cross linking agents, catalysts, inhibitors and solvents which can be tested for making a gel. It can be concluded that a gel made with polyacrylamide polymers and an aqueous methanol solution (7% or more by volume) as a solvent can float on fresh water.

Development of the gel pond technology

A review of the development of the gel pond technology is presented. First, the emergence and growth of solar pond technology since the 1950's is described. The inherent problems encountered with the conventional salt gradient ponds are discussed, leading to the concept of the solar gel pond in which the salt gradient layer in the former is replaced by a transparent polymer gel. The major work in the first phase dealt with the experimental development of a polymer gel which met certain selection criteria. The criteria considered included transmissivity, stability of physical and chemical properties, high viscosity and other physical and optical properties. The gradual development of the polymer gel through an alternating process of testing and elimination and evaluation of relevant properties of the gel has been described. Modeling and optimization studies of the solar gel pond have been presented. Bansal and Kaushik's model for a salt gradient pond has been modified for a solar gel pond, and the results of the simulation are presented in a graphical form to serve as a quick reference for estimation of pond surface area, depth and flow rate for heat extraction depending on the extreme temperature required in the storage zone and the required heat load. Then, a cost-benefit economic analysis compares the economics of a solar gel pond with a conventional salt gradient pond. The construction of an experimental gel pond (18 m 2) at The University of New Mexico is described, and the results of the study are summarized. Information on commercial scale ponds at Chamberino, New Mexico (110 m 2), and in Albuquerque, New Mexico (400 m 2), is provided. The review of the technology demonstrates the immense potential of the gel pond as a source of alternate energy for the years ahead.

Effect of diffusion on concentration profiles in a solar pond

This chapter introduces the fundamentals of solar pond technology as a thermal storage process. It includes a brief description of solar pond technology in the context of energy storage, history, fundamentals; a classification of the different ponds used for capture and storage of solar energy; the fundamentals of salinity gradient solar pond, describing the research efforts over recent decades; the design, construction, including the establishment of the salinity gradient, operation and control, and finally the heat extraction systems. A discussion of investment, construction, and operational cost is also presented together with a review of the different applications in which solar ponds have the potential to supply low-grade thermal energy, especially focused on industrial processes heating.