ON THE HYDRODYNAMICS OF SALT-GRADIENT SOLAR PONDS

The objective of this paper is to discuss those hydrodynamical issues that affect the performance of the solar pond as an energy collector and storage system, e.g., mass and energy balance; formation, stability, and maintenance of the gradient layer; energy extraction from the bottom mixed layer; stability of stratified fluids to shearing flows; interface dynamics; and wall effects. Many of these topics are not fully understood and the discussion focuses on the present state of knowledge, some of the engineering correlations available at this time, and the research that is still required to resolve the relevant issues.