Mathematical Modeling and Thermal Analysis of Salt Gradient Solar Pond

The increasing demand due to development and advancement in every field of life has caused the depletion of fossil fuels. This depleting fossil fuel reserve throughout the world has enforced to get energy from alternative/renewable sources. One of the economical ways to get energy is through the utilization of solar ponds. In this study, a mathematical model of a salt gradient solar pond under the Islamabad climatic conditions has been analyzed for the first time. The model uses a one-dimensional finite difference explicit method for optimization of different zone thicknesses. The model depicts that NCZ (Non-Convective Zone) thickness has a significant effect on LCZ (Lower Convective Zone) temperature and should be kept less than 1.7 m for the optimal temperature. It is also observed that for long-term operation of a solar pond, heat should be extracted by keeping the mass flow rate of 17.3 kg/m²/day. The model also suggests that when the bottom reflectivity is about 0.3, then only 24% of the radiation is absorbed in the pond.