Development of a solar pond system design computer model
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1991
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
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The purpose of this dissertation was the development of a solar pond system design computer model which incorporates a number of unique features which might help to improve the validity of simulation results and the design and performance of solar ponds. The computer model developed for this study extends previous treatments of internal reflection by: (1) dividing the spectrum into a finite umber of spectral wavelength bands (five), assuming an average extinction coefficient for each wavelength band and separately evaluating the effects of internal reflection and absorption on each wavelength band; (2) separately evaluating diffuse and direct radiation components; and (3) extending equations developed for a single-fluid solar pond to two- and three-fluid solar ponds. This latter feature, when combined with appropriate heat transfer and stability relationships, allows the comparison of simulations of various multi-fluid solar ponds (e.g., gel or immiscible solar ponds) to that of a salt gradient solar pond. Furthermore, through manipulation of these governing equations, the performance of membrane stratified solar ponds, or ponds with four, or more, fluids can also be simulated and compared to other types. A second unique feature of this computer model is its ability to evaluate various methods of augmenting the performance of solar ponds. Methods of augmentation include the use of deep, cold seawater as a heat sink and auxiliary heat sources such as high temperature solar, waste heat, and fossil or biomass fuels. A number of simulation runs were conducted. Among the major conclusions are: (l) the computer model developed provides reasonable, but more conservative projections of solar pond performance; (2) the effects of wind mixing, convective overturn and internal reflection are significant and may have to be controlled; (3) solar pond performance can be significantly improved by augmentation, with use of cold, deep sea water and superheating of working fluid vapor showing considerable promise; and (4) further work is required to more effectively use the equations developed for multi-fluid solar ponds. In particular, suitable fluids need to be identified and their radiation transmission and other fluid properties and heat transfer mechanisms need to be better characterized
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Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Ocean Engineering; no. 2687
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