Instrumentation and performance evaluation of a gel solar pond in Chamberino, New Mexico
Technical Report
·
OSTI ID:5836689
The solar gel pond at the Reward Company in Chamberino, New Mexico, is the first commercial application of gel pond technology. This work concerns the construction and operation of the gel pond, instrumentation, data collection, and subsequent performance evaluation of the pond from gel installation in June 1984 through December 1985. Energy from the pond is utilized as low temperature industrial process heat, to preheat inlet air for a meat drying oven that is used in the preparation of dog treats at the Reward Company. In a gel pond, the non-convecting salt gradient layer of a conventional salt gradient pond is replaced by a transparent layer of stabilized polymer gel. This gel layer limits heat losses from the salt water storage zone below it, while allowing solar radiation to pass through to the storage zone and be stored for use as required by the load. The experience gained during the construction and operation of the Reward Company gel pond has aided the development of gel pond technology and provided insights for improvements in materials and methods employed in construction and maintenance.
- Research Organization:
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). New Mexico Research and Development Inst.
- OSTI ID:
- 5836689
- Report Number(s):
- NMRDI-2-71-4240; ON: DE86901457
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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