NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF OPTIMUM THICKNESS OF NON-CONVECTIVE ZONE OF SOLAR POND AND ITS MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY

Taking into account the water turbidity and multiple reflection, the existing radiation transmission model and steady thermal efficiency model of a solar pond are improved. Based on the improved thermal efficiency model, and by means of numerical simulation, the effect factors of optimum thickness of non-convective zone of a solar pond and its maximum efficiency are analyzed and discussed in detail. It is found that optimum thickness of non-convective zone of a solar pond and its maximum efficiency depend on combined factors such as size and structure of the pond, solar radiation intensity, temperature difference between storage zone and upper convective zone, radiation transmission, bottom reflectivity, water turbidity, physical characters of pond water and pond depth so on, and that ΔT/I0 (ratio of temperature difference between storage zone and upper convective zone to solar radiation intensity) is the most important factor influencing optimum thickness of the pond. This conclusion provided a theoretical guide for high-effective run of a solar pond.