Gradient maintenance using discrete brine injections in a salt gradient solar pond

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(92)90012-Y· OSTI ID:7169313

Sherman, B S ^[1]

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1. CSIRO, Canberra (Australia)

A method for the maintenance of the stratification in the gradient zone of a salt gradient solar pond is presented. The method is unique for solar ponds in that it involves the injection of highly turbulent columnar jets into homogeneous convective zones. This contrasts with the more common practice of traversing the gradient zone with a disk-shaped diffuser while injecting fluid at low exit Froude numbers. Using turbulent jet theory which is well understood for columnar buoyant jets, the method allows a priori determination of the resulting salinity gradient with a reasonable level of confidence. The simple injector is easily constructed and deployed. Field data collected at the Alice Springs solar pond show that the technique can quickly remove internal convective zones as well as extend the top of the gradient into the surface layer, providing a valuable tool for the operators of solar ponds.

• OSTI ID: 7169313
• Journal Information: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States), Vol. 49:4; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR PONDS
MAINTENANCE
SALINITY GRADIENTS
BRINES
DESALINATION
NATURAL CONVECTION
NORTHERN TERRITORY
SOLAR PROCESS HEAT
STRATIFICATION
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
CONVECTION
DEMINERALIZATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
HEAT
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
PONDS
PROCESS HEAT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE WATERS
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators