20-09-2008, 10:49 PM
Fossils fuels are depleting due to continuous use for various purposes. Scientist are trying to develop the use of renewable energy sources. Among these, solar energy provides the greatest promise for the mankind. Solar pond technology has made substantial progress in the last fifteen years. It is a device for both collecting and storing solar energy. Among the many type of solar ponds, the salt gradient non convecting solar pond is becoming popular.
The paper reviews the basic principle of solar ponds, its construction, working and the problems encountered in its operation. Some aspects of heat extraction from solar pond and its application have also been discussed. Solar pond technology has made considerable progress in the last fifteen years. The salinity gradient solar ponds are found to be more popular for collecting and storing solar energy. This device is found to be cost effective for low temperature process heat needs of industry. The major limitation is that temperature cannot exceed 950c. The generation of electricity using solar ponds is not economically viable yet. When higher temperatures can be achieved due to improvements in the technology, it will open up new applications of thermal energy from solar ponds..
