(This is a series of articles on the various technologies that can be employed to trap the sun’s energy. This is the 8th part of the series.)
A solar pond is also another type of solar collector which is used for applications where large temperatures are not necessary. It may be used for generating heat or electricity or for desalination of water or for low temperature applications in industry and agriculture.
It works on a simple phenomenon. When water heats up a pond or lake, water rises up after getting warmed. In a solar pond, heat is trapped because salt is added, the concentration increasing with depth. Because of being heavy, it cannot rise and the heat generated by sunshine remains trapped. The temperature at the bottom of the pond will rise to over 90 °C while the temperature at the top of the pond is usually around 30 °C.
There are 3 distinct layers of water in the pond:
The energy obtained is rather low grade and can generate temperatures in the range of 70-80 °C. However, larger systems can be built using no more than a membrane to cover the pond which results in much lower costs. Usually, coastal locations are good locations for such solar ponds although theoretically they can be constructed anywhere.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Image credit: Solar pond, http://www.solarponds.com/
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