Title: Performance prediction results of a 500 square metres Pondicherry salt gradient solar pond

Authors: A. Ramalingam; S. Arumugam

Addresses: Department of Physics, Government Arts College, Udumalpet 642 126, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Physics, Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: Solar pond modelling studies (SGSP) have been made to predict the heat collecting pattern of the present 500 sq.m. solar pond with a pond perimeter of 90 m, on its annual storage zone temperature development. Periodically measured temperature and specific gravity dataset of the brine solution is observed at various depths of SGSP has been utilised to study the performance of the solar pond. The recorded temperature profiles of the SGSP have been utilised in the estimation of the solar thermal conversion efficiency of the SGSP. Transmission function, heat loss of the solar pond is estimated numerically during heat extraction period. Various heat extraction efficiency of the pond at steady state was presented. Experimental studies have been made on the SGSP to find its suitability for delivering a daily thermal load of 500 kWh.

Keywords: solar pond modelling; heat extraction; pond heating; salt concentration; collection efficiency; LCZ temperature; performance prediction; solar ponds; heat collection; brine solution; heat loss; solar thermal conversion; conversion efficiency; solar energy; solar power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2015.069084

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2015 Vol.11 No.1, pp.1 - 12

Accepted: 30 Apr 2014
Published online: 27 Apr 2015 *

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