Parametric study of a solar pond for Northern Jordan

A mathematical model is developed to determine the various parameters affecting the performance of a salt-gradient solar pond (SGSP). We use the finite difference method for solution. Monthly average meteorological data for the Irbid region are used. Our results indicate that the thickness of the non-convection zone (NCZ) has a significant effect on the storage-zone temperature. The optimum value of this thickness is found to be one meter. Storage-temperature fluctuations due to weather changes may be minimized by increasing the thickness of the storage zone. This result may also be achieved by assuming that the rate of heat extraction is proportional to the intensity of the incoming solar radiation.