The steady state salt gradient solar pond

The three-zone salt gradient solar pond is analyzed as a steady-state flat-plate solar energy collector. The resultant efficiency equation is of the Hottel-Whillier-Bliss type commonly used for flat-plate collectors. The quantities that occur in this equation—the effective absorptivity-transmissivity product ατ, the loss factor U_L, the heat removal factor F_R, and the incident angle modifier θ(i)—are related to the physical properties and dimensions of the pond. For a given ΔT/H [(fluid inlet temperature—surface temperature)/insolation], the thickness of the nonconvective zone can be adjusted for maximum efficiency. U_L and ατ are smaller than the equivalent quantities for flat-plate collectors, while θ(i) and F_R are close to unity. As a consequence, steady-state salt-gradient solar ponds are less efficient than common flat-plate collectors at low ΔT/H, but they are more efficient at high ΔT/H.     

Computer simulation of solar pond thermal behavior

A computer model of salt gradient solar pond thermal behavior has been developed and used to verify the validity of assuming constant salt solution physical parameters and long term averaging schemes for ambient temperature and insolation in previous solar pond analytical models. A theoretical limit for pond transparency is calculated which is significantly higher than that previously assumed. It is suggested that a transparent membrane be placed just below the air/water interface of solar ponds to maintain pond solution purity and approach the theoretical limit for transparency. A means of estimating the diffuse insolation input into a solar pond is given which utilizes sky color temperatures for different values of the clearness index (K_T). A single sky color temperature is calculated for each average clearness index value ( ).     

Experimental testing of a box-type solar cooker using the standard procedure of cooking power

A box-type solar cooker with one (Model I) or four (Model II) cooking pots was constructed and tested under Tanta prevailing weather conditions. Experiments were performed during July 2002 using the cooker with or without load. The obtained results were employed to calculate the two figures of merit, F₁ and F₂, as well as the utilization efficiency η_u and the specific t_s and characteristic t_c boiling times. The obtained values of F₁ indicate that the cooker can be used twice a day for consecutive cooking. F₂ was found to increase almost linearly with the mass of the cooking fluid M_f. The cooker is able to boil 1 kg of water in 15 min when its aperture area equals 1 m². Furthermore, experiments also considered the requirements for the international standard test procedure for solar cookers. The cooking power P was correlated with the temperature difference ΔT between the cooking fluid and the ambient air. Linear correlations between P and ΔT had correlation coefficients higher than 0.90 satisfying the standard. The obtained values of the initial cooking power, heat loss coefficient and the cooking power at a temperature difference of 50 °C agree well with those obtained for small solar cookers. The present cooker is able to cook most kinds of food with an overall utilization efficiency of 26.7%.     

Simulation model of a CPC collector with temperature-dependent heat loss coefficient

We describe a mathematical model for the optical and thermal performance of non-evacuated CPC solar collectors with a cylindrical absorber, when the heat loss coefficient is temperature-dependent. Detailed energy balance at the absorber, reflector and cover of the CPC cavity yields heat losses as a function of absorber temperature and solar radiation level. Using a polynomial approximation of those heat losses, we calculate the thermal efficiency of the CPC collector. Numerical results show that the performance of the solar collector (η vs. ΔT_f(0)/I_coll) is given by a set of curves, one for each radiation level. Based on the solution obtained to express the collector performance, we propose to plot efficiency against the relation of heat transfer coefficients at absorber input and under stagnation conditions. The set of characteristic curves merge, then, into a single curve that is not dependent on the solar radiation level. More conveniently, linearized single plots are obtained by expressing efficiency against the square of the difference between the inlet fluid temperature and the ambient temperature divided by the solar radiation level. The new way of plotting solar thermal collector efficiency, such that measurements for a broad range of solar radiation levels can be unified into a single curve, enables us to represent the performance of a large class of solar collectors, e.g. flat plate, CPC and parabolic troughs, whose heat loss functions are well represented by second degree polynomials.     

Intergration of evacuated tubular solar collectors with lithium bromide absorption cooling systems

By surrounding the absorber-heat exchanger component of a solar collector with a glass-enclosed evacuated space and by providing the absorber with a selective surface, solar collectors can operate at efficiencies exceeding 50 per cent under conditions of ΔT/H_T = 75°C m²/kW (ΔT = collector fluid inlet temperature minus ambient temperature, H_T = incident solar radiation on a tilted surface). The high performance of these evacuated tubular collectors thus provides the required high temperature inputs (70–88°C) of lithium bromide absorption cooling units, while maintaining high collector efficiency. This paper deals with the performance and analysis of two types of evacuated tubular solar collectors intergrated with the two distinct solar heating and cooling systems installed on CSU Solar Houses I and III.     

Mathematical modelling of salt gradient solar pond performance

This paper presents a mathematical model of the performance of the salt gradient solar pond. A lumped parameter model of the upper convective zone, non-convective zone and lower convective zone is used. This model enables the temperatures of the upper-convective zone and the lower convective zone of the solar pond to be predicted. The experimental results agree well with theoretically predicted values. The major error in the theoretical results is due to the difference between the theoretical value of the solar radiation inside the water and that observed experimentally. It is found that the experimental value of the solar radiation at a depth of 90 cm is approximately 26 per cent of the total solar radiation falling on the solar pond surface, whereas the corresponding theoretical value is found to be 33 per cent. The results conclude that the lumped parameter model can be used as a simple model to predict the performance of the solar pond.     

DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A SOLAR POND FOR INDUSTRIAL PROCESS HEATING

This paper describes the design of a solar pond for delivering 54 m³/day of hot water at 60°C to a catering facility in Singapore. The design of the pond was carried out in two steps. First, the depths of different layers of the pond were determined by considering the maximum temperature of the storage zone and the useful energy gain. For the given load and the local meteorological conditions, the optimum depths of various layers of the pond were found as follows:

Depth of surface-mixed layer:0.32 m

Depth of the insulation zone :1.00 m

Depth of storage zone:1.00 m

Total depth of the pond:2.32 m

The minimum payback period was used as the economic figure of merit to determine the optimum area of the pond. The optimum area of the pond is 6000 m². The payback period depends on the transparency of the pond, and for the conditions considered in the study, it varies between 3 and 4.5 years, The solar fraction varies from 65% for extinction coefficient, ( μ = 1.0m^?1 to 94% for μ = 0.55 m^?1, An experimental pond with an area of 14 m² and a depth of 1.5 m was built and tested over a period of time under the meteorological condition of Singapore. These results are used to validate the mathematical equations used in the design of the solar pond. A good agreement was found to exist between experimental and analytical results.     

Modeling and testing a salt gradient solar pond in northeast Ohio

A dynamic computer model of a salt gradient solar pond as an annual-cycle solar energy collection and storage system was developed. The model was validated using experimental results of a solar pond located at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Wooster, Ohio. The model was then used to analyze the transient energy phenomena which occurred within the storage zone of the pond. Generalized daily weather functions used were the incident solar radiation upon a horizontal surface, the daylight length and the daily maximum and minimum ambient air temperatures.Various simulations were performed to evaluate the OARDC solar pond and to improve its overall effective capacity of heat storage. It was found that 4–6 weeks variation in start-up time and 5–10°C variation in start-up temperature had no effect on late summer peak storage temperature. The pond operated at a 20 per cent collection efficiency with a 1.5-m deep gradient. Insulating the pond in the winter would be beneficial if no heat was removed during the fall. Reducing the gradient zone thickness to 1 m and enlarging the storage zone could improve the performance of a 3-m deep pond. The model could be used to predict and analyze the transient thermal response of large storages associated with solar heating system for a variety of purposes and climatic conditions.     

Effect of selective surface degradation on the performance of solar water heating systems

Selective surface often degrade in the field. Their solar absorptivity α_s and thermal emittance change with time in service by some amount, say Δα_s and Δ, from their starting values. It is important to quantify the effect this degradation has on the annual fraction solar F_s. A given relative change in F_s can be caused by different combinations of Δα_s, and Δ. In this paper we use computer simulation of solar domestic hot water systems to graph these combinations, in a plot of Δα_s versus Δ, for relative changes in F_s, of 10% and 5%. The slope and intercepts of this plot, which is found to be linear, are studied for their dependence on a wide range of solar system parameters, such as geographical location, collector area, and set point temperature. We find that the slope, and - for starting values of F_s less than about 0.5 - the intercepts, are relatively insensitive to the system parameters. We show that this result is consistent with a simple model. For F_s 0.5, the intercepts rise sharply with F_s, in a way that is strongly (and to some extent, only) dependent on the geographical latitude of location. These results have direct application to projecting the useful service life of a selective surface.     

Saturated solar ponds: 2. Parametric studies

The effects of following parameters on the performance of saturated solar ponds are studied: thickness of upper convective zone, nonconvective zone, and lower convective zone; starting time of the pond; water table depth below the pond; ground thermal conductivity; transmissivity of salt solution; incident radiation; ambient air temperature, humidity, and velocity; thermophysical properties of salt solution; pond bottom reflectivity; convection, evaporation, radiation, and ground heat losses; temperature and rate of heat removal; type of salt. Magnesium chloride and potassium nitrate salt ponds located at Madras (India) are considered for the parametric study. A comparison is also made with an unsaturated solar pond.     

Metastable volume changes of hydrogenated amorphous silicon and silicon–germanium alloys produced by exposure to light

Exposure of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, a-Si:H, to light produces large-scale structural changes and increases the density of dangling Si bond defects acting as efficient carrier recombination centers. The latter is the well-studied Staebler–Wronski effect (SWE). All light-induced changes are metastable and disappear after annealing to approximately 200°C. This review focuses on one of the large-scale changes, namely that of the macroscopic density of the material. In all device quality materials, the initial stress is compressive with values typically in the range of 10⁸–10⁹ Pa. Exposure to light produces additional compressive stress, which can exceed 2×10⁷ Pa. The observed change of stress is due to a change of the volume of the unsupported material and not of its elastic modulus. The relative volume change, ΔV/V, at 300 K becomes detectable at values in excess of about 10⁻⁶ after only a few photons per Si atom have been absorbed. ΔV/V saturates above 10⁻³, under high-intensity light after an average of more than 10⁶ photons per Si atom have been absorbed. ΔV/V initially grows with t^0.50±0.04 under CW illumination producing carrier generation rate G in the range of 10²¹ to a few 10²³ cm⁻³ s⁻¹. The approach to saturation is well fitted by a stretched exponential function with stretch exponent close to 0.5. ΔV/V is approximately proportional to G. The fastest and largest photo-expansion has been observed in the so-called “edge material” between the amorphous and microcrystalline state, produced by plasma enhanced CVD from increasingly diluted silane/hydrogen gas mixtures. The quantum efficiency of volume expansion has been observed to increase with the photon energy of the light in contrast to the SWE. No volume increase is observed in Ge rich a-Si_1−xGe_x:H alloys and in hydrogenated microcrystalline material. Photo-expansion and the SWE show marked difference in spatial extend in the network, different evolution in time and different wavelength dependence. Hence, the two effects appear to be independent even though both involve hydrogen.     

Exergy analysis of a passive solar still

This paper presents a steady-state and transient theoretical exergy analysis of a solar still, focused on the exergy destruction in the components of the still: collector plate, brine and glass cover. The analytical approach states an energy balance for each component resulting in three coupled equations where three parameters—solar irradiance, ambient temperature and insulation thickness—are studied. The energy balances are solved to find temperatures of each component; these temperatures are used to compute energy and exergy flows. Results in the steady-state regime show that the irreversibilities produced in the collector account for the largest exergy destruction, up to 615 W/m² for a 935 W/m² solar exergy input, whereas irreversibility rates in the brine and in the glass cover can be neglected. For the same exergy input a collector, brine and solar still exergy efficiency of 12.9%, 6% and 5% are obtained, respectively. The most influential parameter is solar irradiance. During the transient regime, irreversibility rates and still temperatures find a maximum 6 h after dawn when solar irradiance has a maximum value. However, maximum exergy brine efficiency, close to 93%, is found once T_col<T_w (dusk) and the heat capacity of the brine plays an important role in the modeling of collector–brine interaction. Nocturnal distillation is characterized by very low irreversibility rates due to reduced temperature difference between collector and an increase in exergy efficiency towards dawn due to ambient temperature decrease.     

Thermal analysis and measurement of a solar pond prototype to study the non-convective zone salt gradient stability

Solar ponds combine solar energy collection with long-term storage and can provide reliable thermal energy at temperature ranges from 50 to 90 °C. A solar pond consists of three distinct zones. The first zone, which is located at the top of the pond and contains the less dense saltwater mixture, is the absorption and transmission region, also known as the upper convective zone (UCZ). The second zone, which contains a variation of saltwater densities increasing with depth, is the gradient zone or non-convective zone (NCZ). The last zone is the storage zone or lower convective zone (LCZ). In this region, the density is uniform and near saturation. The stability of a solar pond prototype was experimentally performed. The setup is composed of an acrylic tube with a hot plate emulating the solar thermal energy input. A study of various salinity gradients was performed based on the Stability Margin Number (SMN) criterion, which is used to satisfy the dynamic stability criterion. It was observed that erosion of the NCZ was accelerated due to mass diffusion and convection in the LCZ. It can be determined that for this prototype the density of the NCZ is greatly affected as the SMN reaches 1.5.     

Calendar- and cycle-life studies of advanced technology development program generation 1 lithium-ion batteries

This paper presents the test results and life modeling of special calendar- and cycle-life tests conducted on 18650-size generation 1 (Gen 1) lithium-ion battery cells (nominal capacity of 0.9 Ah; 3.0–4.1 V rating) developed to establish a baseline chemistry and performance for the Department of Energy sponsored advanced technology development (ATD) program. Electrical performance testing was conducted at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL).As part of the electrical performance testing, a new calendar-life test protocol was used. The test consisted of a once per day discharge and charge pulse designed to have minimal impact on the cell yet establish its performance over a period of time such that the calendar-life of the cell could be determined. The calendar-life test matrix included two states-of-charge (SOCs) (i.e. 60 and 80%) and four test temperatures (40, 50, 60 and 70 °C). Discharge and regen resistances were calculated from the test data. Results indicate that both the discharge and regen resistances increased non-linearly as a function of the test time. The magnitude of the resistances depended on the temperature and SOC at which the test was conducted. Both resistances had a non-linear increase with respect to time at test temperature. The discharge resistances are greater than the regen resistances at all of the test temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C. For both the discharge and regen resistances, generally the higher the test temperature, the lower the resistance.The measured resistances were then used to develop an empirical model that was used to predict the calendar-life of the cells. This model accounted for the time, temperature and SOC of the batteries during the calendar-life test. The functional form of the model is given by: R(t,T,SOC)=A(T, SOC)F(t)+B(T, SOC), where t is the time at test temperature, T the test temperature and SOC the SOC of the cell at the start of the test. A(T, SOC) and B(T, SOC) are assumed to be functions of the temperature and SOC; F is assumed to only be a function of the time at test temperature. Using curve-fitting techniques for a number of time-dependent functions, it was found that both the discharge and regen resistances were best correlated with F(t) having a square-root of test time dependence. These results led to the relationship for the discharge and regen resistances: R(t,T,SOC)=A(T, SOC)t^1/2+B(T, SOC). The square-root of time dependence can be accounted for by either a one-dimensional diffusion type of mechanism, presumably of the lithium-ions or by a parabolic growth mechanism for the growth of a thin-film solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on the anode and/or cathode. The temperature dependence of the resistance was then investigated using various model fits to the functions A(T, SOC) and B(T, SOC). The results of this exercise lead to a functional form for the temperature dependence of the fitting functions having an Arrhenius-like form: A(T,SOC)=a(SOC){exp[b(SOC)/T]} and B(T,SOC)=c(SOC){exp[d(SOC)/T]}, where a and c are constants, and b and d are related to activation energy (E_b and E_d) by using the gas constant (R) such that b=E_b/R and d=E_d/R. The functional form, therefore, for the discharge and regen resistances, including the SOC, is then: R(t,T,SOC)=a(SOC){exp[b(SOC)/T]}t^1/2+c(SOC){exp[d(SOC)/T]}. The a, b, c and d parameters are explicitly shown as being functions of the SOC. However, due to the lack of testing at SOC values other than 60 and 80% SOC, the exact form of the SOC dependence could not be determined from the experimental data. The values of a, b, c and d were determined, thus permitting the function R(t, T, SOC) to be used to correlate the discharge and regen data and to predict what the resistances would be at different test times and temperatures.This paper also presents, discusses and models the results of a special cycle-life test conducted for a period of time at specified temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C. This test, consisting of specified discharge and charge protocols, was designed to establish the cycle-life performance of the cells over a time interval such that their cycle-life could be determined. The cycle-life test was conducted at 60% SOC, with SOC swings of Δ3, Δ6 and Δ9%. During the cycle-life test, the discharge and regen resistances were determined after every 100 test cycles. The results of the cycle-life testing indicate that both the discharge and regen resistances increased non-linearly as a function of the test time at each Δ% SOC test. The magnitude of the resistances and the rate at which they changed depended on the temperature and Δ% SOC at which the test was conducted. Both resistances had a non-linear increase with respect to time at test temperature, i.e. as the number of test cycles increased the discharge and regen resistances increased also. For a given Δ% SOC test, the discharge resistances are greater than the regen resistances at all of the test temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C. For both the discharge and regen resistances, generally the higher the test temperature, the lower the resistance. At each of the four test temperatures, the magnitude of the discharge and regen resistances was generally in the following order: Δ3% SOC>Δ9% SOC>Δ6% SOC, but the ordering was dependent on test time.A model was also developed to account for the time, temperature, SOC and Δ% SOC of the batteries during the cycle-life test. The functional form of the model is given by R(t,T,SOC,Δ% SOC)=A(T, SOC, Δ% SOC)F(t)+B(T, SOC, Δ% SOC) where t is the time at test temperature, T the test temperature, SOC the SOC of the cell at the start and end of the test and Δ% SOC the SOC swing during the test. A(T, SOC, Δ% SOC) and B(T, SOC, Δ% SOC) are assumed to be functions of the test temperature, SOC and Δ% SOC swing. F(t) is assumed to only be a function of the test time at test temperature. Using curve-fitting techniques for a number of time-dependent functions, it was found that both the discharge and regen resistances were best correlated by a square-root of test time dependence. These results led to the relationship for the discharge and regen resistances having the form R(t,T,SOC,Δ% SOC)=A(T, SOC, Δ% SOC)t^1/2+B(T, SOC, Δ% SOC). This model is essentially the same as used to analyze the calendar-life test data. The temperature dependence of the resistance was then investigated using various model fits to the functions A(T) and B(T). The results of this exercise lead to a functional form for the functions having again an Arrhenius-like form: A(T)=a[exp(b/T)] and B(T)=c[exp(d/T)] where a and c are constants, and b and d are related to activation energies. The functional form, therefore, for the discharge and regen resistances including the SOC and Δ% SOC is R(t,T,SOC,Δ% SOC)=a(SOC, Δ% SOC){exp[b(SOC, Δ% SOC)/T]}t^1/2+c(SOC, Δ% SOC){exp[d(SOC, Δ% SOC)/T]}. The a, b, c and d parameters are explicitly shown as being functions of the SOC and the Δ% SOC. However, due to the lack of testing at SOC values other than 60% SOC, the exact form of the SOC dependence could not be determined from the experimental data. In addition, no model was found that consistently correlated the observed resistance changes with the Δ% SOC of the tests. Eliminating the SOC and Δ% SOC from the resistance function, the function R(t, T) was then used to correlate the discharge and regen resistances data. This model also allows the prediction of what the resistances would be at different test times at a particular Δ% SOC test condition and temperature.     

The role of aerosol models of the SMARTS code in predicting the spectral direct-beam irradiance in an urban area

Measurements of the ground-level spectral distribution of the direct-beam solar irradiance between 300 and 1000 nm were made in Athens, Greece, in May 1995. Results obtained using simple model for the atmospheric radiative transfer of sunshine (SMARTS) (version 2.9.2) parametric model for the urban atmosphere of Athens are analyzed and compared to the ground-level experimental spectral solar irradiance measurements obtained by the passive pyrheliometric scanner (PPS) in three discrete bands, UV (320–400 nm), VIS (400–700 nm) and NIR (700–1000 nm). The study uses two different input parameters for the aerosol characterization: the aerosol optical depth at 500 nm, t_α0.5, and the Ångström turbidity coefficient, β. The results clearly show that the nine aerosol models implemented in the SMARTS code lead to quite different predictions of the direct-beam spectrum, strongly depended on the input parameter. In all cases the inadequacies between the measured and the modeled direct-beam spectra are lower and higher when the urban and maritime aerosol models are used, respectively.     

Heat extraction efficiency of a concentric glass tubular evacuated collector

The results of detailed measurements and calculations of the properties of Sydney University/Nitto Kohki evacuated collector tubes have been used to develop a formula for the instantaneous heat extraction efficiency η of a collector panel incorporating the evacuated tubes. The instantaneous efficiency depends on ambient temperature, mean fluid temperature in the collector, solar flux and the design of the manifold used to extract heat from the glass absorber tubes. Manifold design determines the mean temperature difference between absorber tube surface and mean fluid temperature for given operating conditions, and strongly affects the efficiency η of a collector panel. Neither changes in the number of evacuated tubes per unit area of collector, nor variations in solar flux, significantly alter the efficiency decrement Δ η₀ associated with a particular manifold design. Calculated efficiencies agree well with experimental results for collector panels incorporating manifolds of various designs. The formula for efficiency η allows detailed analysis of the relative importance of various energy loss mechanisms in a collector.     

Simulation of the control of a salt gradient solar pond in the south of Tunisia

We are interested in the modeling and control of a salt gradient solar pond (SGSP) in the south of Tunisia. We developed a model of a closed cycle salt gradient solar pond (CCSGSP) that ensures successful year round operation. This model was used to study the response of the solar pond (SP) to various control techniques. It takes into account heat and salt diffusion within the pond and simulates the transient behavior of a SGSP. Furthermore, we investigated the dynamic process, which involves internal gradient stability, boundary behavior between the gradient zone and the convective zones. We thus incorporated the double diffusive processes into the SP model by using the one dimensional stability criterion produced by linear theory. The governing differential equations are solved numerically by using a control-volume scheme.The results show that successful operation of a SP requires three things: the maintenance of the storage zone temperature through heat extraction and brine injection, the use of surface washing to control the deepening of the upper mixed layer and a well designed initial salt stratification to prevent the formation of instability within the gradient. Using linear salinity profile as an initial condition, three round year simulations were run using average meteorological data with the result that adequate stability (Rρ2 throughout the gradient and Rρ10 at the interfaces) was maintained. Numerical results show also that 10–30% efficiency could have been reached if heat extraction is performed routinely especially when one considers that the storage temperature is within 40–80 °C. The model is validated against data taken from the operation of the UTEP SP. Close correlation between computed and measured data was obtained.     

A time series model for Kt with application to global synthetic weather generation

This article describes a general mathematical procedure for generating synthetic daily solar irradiation values. The procedure should be useful for simulating solar energy systems, requiring only the 12 monthly means ( ), as input. The procedure is based on a time series analysis of the daily K_t values, described in the article. It incorporates the well-known probability distribution function for K_t, by using a transformed variable, rather than K_t, as the fundamental random quantity.     

A wind-mixed layer model for solar ponds

A computer model is described which may be used for predicting transient salinity and temperature profiles in a salt gradient solar pond. It is intended for use in modeling large surface area ponds where wind-mixing would be expected to play an important part in the dynamics of the upper layer. The formulation predicts the depth of the upper convecting zone using a mixed-layer model which incorporates the wind-mixing algorithm described by Bloss and Harleman [1,2]. This is in contrast to earlier solar pond models which have generally assumed a constant value for this layer depth. Results have been obtained for a number of 1-yr simulations of a large hypothetical pond in Richmond, Virginia, and these have been used in testing the sensitivity of the model to several of the input parameters, including the radiation term and the form of the wind-mixing algorithm. The model output is also compared with field data from an operating solar pond and good agreement is found. Results have indicated that some measures will have to be taken to counteract the mixing action due to wind stress, if the upper mixed layer depth is to be maintained at an acceptable level. The model is expected to be useful in large-scale pond design.     

Performance evaluation of a small‐scale sodium carbonate salt gradient solar pond

In this study, thermal performance of the salt gradient solar pond (SGSP), which of density gradient is artificially with sodium carbonate solution, was tested under Karabuk prevailing weather conditions in Turkey. A small‐scale prismatic glass tank was constructed with an area of 0.45 × 0.20 m² and a depth of 0.25 m as solar pond. A series of experiments with four different density levels were conducted in July–August 2004. The variations of the temperature and density profiles were observed for each of experiment for a week. It was found that the maximum temperature difference between the bottom and surface of the pond is 21°C and maximum temperature in the lower convective zone (LCZ) has been measured as 49°C at the first experiment. The efficiency of the pond was evaluated 13.33% weekly mean radiation intensity of 524 W m^?2 for the first experiment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.