Innovative design of non-convective zone of salt gradient solar pond for optimum thermal performance and stability

Stability of salt gradient solar pond salinity profile is examined under transient thermal phase. The analysis is done for straight as well as parabolic salinity profile. It is observed that the stability criterion at the upper interface of salinity profile is satisfied for a thin non-convective zone. However, a thin non-convective zone is unable to provide adequate insulation. Consequently the storage zone of the pond does not warm-up to desirable high temperature. The present work proposes that in order to acquire a high temperature, maintaining the stability of salinity profile, an additional zone below the interface of upper convective zone and non-convective zone should be introduced. Higher salinity gradient can be maintained in this additional intermediate zone. Thermal performance and gradient stability analysis of such a pond is presented here.