Transient performance of a two-dimensional salt gradient solar pond—A numerical study

Abstract

SUMMARY Solar ponds have recently become an important source of energy that is used in many different applications. The technology of the solar pond is based on storing solar energy in salt-gradient stratified zones. Many experimental and numerical investigations concerning the optimum operational conditions and economical feasibility of solar ponds have been published in the last few decades. In the present study, a novel two-dimensional mathematical model that uses derived variables is developed and presented. This model utilizes vorticity, dilatation, density, temperature and concentration as dependent variables. The resulting governing partial differential equations are solved numerically in order to predict the transient performance of a solar pond in the two-dimensional domain. The boundary conditions are based on measured ambient and ground temperatures at Kuwait city. Based on the present formulation, a computer code has been developed to solve the problem at different operating conditions. The results are compared with the available experimental data and one-dimensional numerical results. Two-dimensionality effects are found to depend mainly on the aspect ratio of the pond. A parametric study is conducted to determine the optimum pond dimensions and operating conditions.

Comparison of three solar ponds with different salts through bi-dimensional modeling

“…In the literature the mode of horizontal heat losses through the soil surrounding the pond is by conduction, whereas in the present work the horizontal heat flow in a given layer is enhanced by the external convection of the surrounding air. Consequently the temperatures at the center and the walls, in the present work would be lower than those found by Mazidi et al (2011), Mansoura et al (2004, El-Refaee et al (1996), and Boudhiaf et al (2012) who have studied the pond in 2 and 3 D if the dimensions, climatic conditions and the insolation are similar to ours.…”

“…Besides, to our knowledge, the CrankNicholson scheme is for the first time used to solve 2D diffusion applied to SGSP. 2-D a model takes into account vertical and horizontal heat flow as shown by Mazidi et al (2011), Boudhiaf et al (2012 and El-Refaee et al (1996). The initial and boundary conditions for the two latters are different from ours.…”

“…The heat is considered to flow in the vertical direction only. In the literature only few authors, El-Refaee et al (1996), Mazidi et al (2011), Mansoura et al (2004), and Boudhiaf et al (2012) have investigated the behavior of the SGSP in two and in three dimensions with the salt NaCl.…”

Numerical study of transient heat and mass transfer and stability in a salt-gradient solar pond

“…Most of these studies were concerned, however, with the problem of one-dimensional heat diffusion with a constant salinity profile prescribed along the pond depth. Only in few recent numerical works, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional character of the solar pond have been considered while studying the same problem of heat diffusion [12,13]. In particular, the thermal effect Indices a ambient condition g ground r reference condition (293.15 K) s surface due to the underground was also taken into account [13].…”

“…Only in few recent numerical works, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional character of the solar pond have been considered while studying the same problem of heat diffusion [12,13]. In particular, the thermal effect Indices a ambient condition g ground r reference condition (293.15 K) s surface due to the underground was also taken into account [13]. With regard to the pond stability that constitutes, as stated before, a major factor in its operation and performance, it has been studied by several researchers who employed, in most cases, the well-known linear perturbations theory (see in particular [14][15][16][17][18][19]).…”