Performance comparison of sodium and magnesium chloride-saturated solar ponds

Abstract

This chapter deals with an experimental investigation of energyefficiency of sodium and magnesium chloride-saturated solar ponds. The solarpond systems are filled with varying-density sodium and magnesium chloridewater in order to form gradient layers. A solar pond generally consists of threezones. The density of the zones increases toward the bottom. Solar radiation isabsorbed by salty water and the temperature rises. The high-temperature salty waterat the bottom of the solar pond remains denser than less salty water above it. Thus, the convective heat losses are prevented by gradient layers. The temperaturedistributions of the solar pond are obtained by using thermocouples from Augustto November. The density of the layers was also measured and analyzed by takingsamples from the same point of the temperature sensors. The efficiencies of thesolar pond are defined in terms of temperatures as the average representative solarenergy. As a result, the maximum energy efficiencies of the heat storage zone forthe sodium and magnesium chloride-saturated solar ponds are found as 25.41 % and27.40 % for August, respectively.