Performance analysis of solar pond for heating and desalination purposes sited in Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Solar energy technology is extremely promising in countries with hot-sunny climates, such as Saudi Arabia, where solar radiation records are one of the highest levels in the world.

The salinity gradient solar pond can directly convert the sun’s rays into heat energy with considerable low cost.

The one-dimensional steady state mathematical model has been developed to use a single input for calculating the irradiation variables , can utilize the heat equations to simulate a three zones’ solar pond and for predicting its performance characteristics.

This pond is located at the Northern Border University Site in Arar, Saudi Arabia.

The present model was validated by comparing its predictions with the performance of a real salinity gradient solar pond and the comparison showed reliable matching.

The present predictions showed during the winter season, the solar pond could still provide hot water with a minimum temperature of 30-40oC from the lower storage zone while in the summer seasons, the temperature may exceed 75oC until it could reach boiling point.