Gradient zone-boundary control in salt-gradient solar ponds

Patent · Wed Sep 29 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:5848244

Hull, J R

A method and apparatus for suppressing zone boundary migration in a salt gradient solar pond includes extending perforated membranes across the pond at the boundaries, between the convective and non-convective zones, the perforations being small enough in size to prevent individual turbulence disturbances from penetrating the hole, but being large enough to allow easy molecular diffusion of salt thereby preventing the formation of convective zones in the gradient layer. The total area of the perforations is a sizeable fraction of the membrane area to allow sufficient salt diffusion while preventing turbulent entrainment into the gradient zone.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• Assignee: ERA-08-053827; EDB-83-175838
• Application Number: ON: DE83018043
• OSTI ID: 5848244
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR PONDS
MEMBRANES
SALINITY GRADIENTS
CONTROL
DIFFUSION
LAYERS
ZONES
EQUIPMENT
PONDS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE WATERS
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators