Analytical model of solar pond with heat exchanger

This paper presents an analytical model of a three zone solar pond with heat exchange pipes laid in its bottom convective zone. Explicit expressions for the transient rate of heat extraction and the temperature at which heat can be extracted are derived as a function of geometrical and operational parameters of the system. The transfer of heat from the pond bottom convective zone to the heat exchange fluid is expressed in terms of a heat removal factor, F_R. Analytical results, characteristic of the optimum performance of the pond, are presented and the criteria for the size and heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger are investigated. The annual average efficiency of heat extraction exhibits the asymptotic increase with the increase of length per unit pond area of heat exchange pipe.