A critical review on Salinity Gradient Solar Pond (SGSP)

Abstract

21th century would be the solar energy operated world no doubt. Many researchers have been done the study and still working on solar energy continuous. The main aim of this study is conversion of this energy into useful work for the high temperature as well as low temperature applications. It is found that the conversion efficiency of solar energy into useful work has a limitation. The main limitation is to use of solar energy is that solar radiation availability is in tremendous only in a day period of time and again it is also depends upon the geographical topography & climatic conditions. The cost of solar thermal system plays an important role while feasibility to used solar system, because it has a lower thermodynamic efficiency and it require separate solar radiation collection and storage system, which is at high cost. For the low temperature application many researchers are focusing on a renewable energy source i.e. solar ponds. A solar pond is natural heater that collects and stores the solar energy. Solar ponds are solar thermal collector. Basically it is a water body with increase in concentration of salt with depth. The water is heated by solar radiation and then heat is stored at the bottom of solar pond as density of salt is high in bottom region as compared to upper region. In this paper a review on Salinity Gradient Solar pond has been discussed. The effect of evaporative losses on the performance of solar pond has been discussed. It can be conclude that the losses at the top surface of solar pond by evaporation are an accountable. By arranging the proper methods we can reduce these losses upto 30% to 50% & with the help of this the temperature at the bottom layer can be increased upto 20% to 30%. The effect of wall shading is also plays an important role on the performance of solar pond. The energy analysis of the solar pond for each zone has been discussed.