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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Construction and initial operation of the Miamisburg salt-gradient solar pond

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6212131

The largest salt-gradient solar pond in the U.S. occupies an area of 2020 m/sup 2/ and was installed for only $35/m/sup 2/. A new technique was successfully demonstrated for the formation of the gradient zone, approximately 1-m thick, in which fresh water was injected horizontally below the surface of the concentrated salt solution. Without any useful heat removed, the storage layer water, approx. 18.5% NaCl, reached a peak temperature of 51.1/sup 0/C in October 1978 and a minimum temperature of 28.4/sup 0/C during February 1979. The pond is predicted to deliver 281,000 kW hr/yr to be ued principally for heating an outdoor swimming pool in the summer and a recreation building from October to December. The projected heat cost is 2.5 cents/kW hr, based upon amortization of 10%/yr.

Research Organization:
Miamisburg City Dept. of Parks and Recreation, OH (USA); Mound Facility, Miamisburg, OH (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0053
OSTI ID:
6212131
Report Number(s):
MLM-2626(OP); CONF-790541-16
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English