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Title: On solar ponds: salty fare for the world's energy appetite

Abstract

It is shown how a uniquely simple salt-gradient solar-energy trap is proving an economical source of electricity and low-temperature heat at various sites around the world. Problems with solar ponds include the thickening of the surface layer despite grids of wave-suppressors; the economics of using solar ponds to generate power and desalt water depend largely on the ability to operate without a synthetic liner; and some solar ponds lose much more heat to the ground than predicted. It is concluded that development of solar ponds is likely to depend on energy demand.

Authors:
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6058641
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Technol. Rev.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 85:8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; SOLAR PONDS; ECONOMICS; ELECTRIC POWER; DESALINATION; ENERGY DEMAND; HEAT LOSSES; LOW TEMPERATURE; SALINITY GRADIENTS; WATER; DEMAND; DEMINERALIZATION; ENERGY LOSSES; EQUIPMENT; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; LOSSES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PONDS; POWER; SEPARATION PROCESSES; SOLAR COLLECTORS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; SURFACE WATERS; 141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators

Citation Formats

Edesess, M. On solar ponds: salty fare for the world's energy appetite. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Edesess, M. On solar ponds: salty fare for the world's energy appetite. United States.
Edesess, M. 1982. "On solar ponds: salty fare for the world's energy appetite". United States.
@article{osti_6058641,
title = {On solar ponds: salty fare for the world's energy appetite},
author = {Edesess, M},
abstractNote = {It is shown how a uniquely simple salt-gradient solar-energy trap is proving an economical source of electricity and low-temperature heat at various sites around the world. Problems with solar ponds include the thickening of the surface layer despite grids of wave-suppressors; the economics of using solar ponds to generate power and desalt water depend largely on the ability to operate without a synthetic liner; and some solar ponds lose much more heat to the ground than predicted. It is concluded that development of solar ponds is likely to depend on energy demand.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6058641}, journal = {Technol. Rev.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 85:8,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}