EFFECT OF ENERGY EXTRACTION ON SOLAR POND PERFORMANCE

The effect of extracted heat load (q(Ld)) on solar pond performance is studied. A finite difference method is used to solve the governing eq uations. It was found that the thickness of the non-convection zone (N CZ) is dependent on the amount of q(Ld). This thickness varies between 0.91 and 1.18 m for the q(Ld) variation between 30 and 10 W/m(2), res pectively. At these thicknesses of NCZ, the maximum storage temperatur e can be achieved. The lost energy from the pond is a maximum if no lo ad is extracted. However, the amount of absorbed solar radiation in th e pond is increased by increasing the extracted load. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science Ltd.