A feasibility study of solar ponds for Wisconsin industrial process heat applications area dependence
- Marquette Univ., Milwaukee, WI (United States)
An economic feasibility study of a salinity gradient solar pond for providing industrial process heat (IPH) in the state of Wisconsin is presented. The study concentrated on industries of a seasonal nature, such as the vegetable canning industry. A survey of current low temperature energy load demands of several companies within Wisconsin was completed. The data obtained was analyzed using a microcomputer based program to assess feasibility. The thermal performance of the solar pond was studied for the operating conditions of the industries surveyed. The thermal performance analysis included the parameters of the solar pond such as zone depths, pond area, soil thermal properties, load flow rates and other important parameters in order to determine the optimal pond operating condition. Economic analysis was based on currently available technologies for pond excavation, brine containment, heat transfer, gradient control and salt delivery. Economic feasibility and thermal performance depends upon area. The area of the pond would determine the corresponding quantities of excavation, salt and lining material as well as other construction materials that would be required to establish a salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP). The area of a potential pond was investigated for several thermal loads. For each load and the given pond parameters, economic parameters and construction materials costs, an optimal pond area was determined. This optimal pond area would be the area for which the most economical pond configuration and performance would result. A pond of optimal pond area would result in the minimum discounted payback period and the maximum savings to investment ratio (SIR).
- OSTI ID:
- 116231
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950336-; ISBN 0-7918-1300-2; TRN: IM9545%%198
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Society of Mechanical Engineers/Japanese Society of Mechanical Engineers/Japan Solar Energy Society international solar energy conference, Lahaina, HI (United States), 19-24 Mar 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Solar engineering 1995: Proceedings. Volume 2; Stine, W.B. [ed.] [California Polytechnic Univ., Pomona, CA (United States)]; Tanaka, Tadayoshi [ed.] [Electrotechnical Lab., Ibaraki (Japan)]; Claridge, D.E. [ed.] [Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)]; PB: 582 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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