An Investigation of the Effect of Transparent Covers on the Performance of Cylindrical Solar Ponds

Abstract

The effect of the transparent covers (glass, polycarbonate, and mica) on the small cylindrical solar pond performance is studied. The temperature and density distributions are measured to evaluate the performance of the covered cylindrical solar pond. The pond covers provide a significant potential for energy savings and storage by insulating upper convective zone. Thus, such transparent covers are used for reducing the thermal energy losses from the top surface of the cylindrical solar pond. The transmission, reflection, and absorption coefficients of the covers are calculated to determine the monthly solar energy contents of the solar pond. The energy efficiencies of the solar pond are found for each type of covers from November 2008 to March 2009. As a result, the highest efficiency is determined to be 17.86% for glass cover in March, while the efficiencies of polycarbonate and mica become 16.95% and 15.86%, respectively. In this regard, the glass cover appears to be the best option for the solar ponds.

Keywords:

• Energy
• Solar pond
• Transparent covers
• Heat storage
• Heat losses
• Energy efficiency

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge the support provided by University of Cukurova (Grant Nos: FEF 2004 BAP4, FEF 2009 D2, and FEF 2010 BAP5), the Council of Higher Education in Turkey, and University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Canada.

Notes

Presently at UOIT as a visiting assistant professor.