Construction and startup performance of the Miamisburg salt-gradient solar pond
An account is given of the construction and 1.5 years of operation of the Miamisburg, Ohio salt-gradient solar pond which, with 2020 sq m, is the largest solar collector in the U.S. The 18% sodium chloride solution pond has reached storage temperatures of 64 C in July and 28 C in February. Under steady-state conditions, conservative heat-yield estimates on the order of 962 million Btu have been made. The heat is used to warm-up a summer outdoor swimming pool and in winter a recreational building. Installation costs were only $35/sq m, and heat costs based on a 15-year depreciation of installation costs is below that of fuel oil heating, at $9.45 per million Btu. Further study is recommended for maintenance of water clarity, metallic component corrosion and assurance of pond water containment.
- Research Organization:
- Monsanto Research Corp., Miamisburg, OH
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00053
- OSTI ID:
- 5900135
- Journal Information:
- J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Vol. 103
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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OPERATION
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ENERGY BALANCE
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SODIUM CHLORIDES
SOLAR WATER HEATING
SWIMMING POOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
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141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators