Modeling the thermal process in a shallow solar pond water heater
- Univ. of Puerto Rico, Mayagueez (Puerto Rico)
An investigation was undertaken to develop a mathematical mode to predict the performance of shallow solar pond water heaters with dark colored water bags. Heat balance (SSP) equations were solved analytically with the Laplace transform for partial differential equations, and the method of residuals. The model was implemented with quick Basic language in a Macintosh computer. Experimental data was gathered from an existing SSP installation at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagueez Campus. The model gave accurate results predicting the maximum temperature and describing the performance of the pond throughout the daytime hours. Economics of the system indicate that SSPs are a feasible alternative for users of average to high volumes of hot water in Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands, at the current crude oil prices. This work recommends the construction of SSP in modules of 40 m{sup 2} for practical applications.
- OSTI ID:
- 5303492
- Journal Information:
- Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States), Vol. 48:4; ISSN 0038-092X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
SOLAR PONDS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
PERFORMANCE
APPLE COMPUTERS
ECONOMICS
GREATER ANTILLES
LAPLACE TRANSFORMATION
COMPUTERS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
INTEGRAL TRANSFORMATIONS
ISLANDS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MICROPROCESSORS
PONDS
SIMULATION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSFORMATIONS
WEST INDIES
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators
140907 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Water Heating
990200 - Mathematics & Computers