Numerical Simulation of the Performance of a Salt-Gradient Solar Pond

A one-dimensional mathematical model which simulates the dynamic performance of stratified solar brine ponds is described. The model simulates the upper convective zone, the middle nonconvective zone, and the lower convective zone. In addition to the energy flux, the model simulates the varying brine densities as a function of temperature and salt concentration, and thus is able to examine various pond stability criteria. On the basis of model operational studies, the following results are presented: (i) a study of overall pond efficiency in terms of the upper convective layer; (ii) an optimization study of the thickness of the nonconvective zone in terms of net energy transmission to the lower convective zone; (iii) an investigation of the heat storage efficiency and of the overall pond efficiency as a function of pond loading rate for a particular depth of storage zone.