Numerical temperature and concentration distributions in an insulated salinity gradient solar pond

摘要

In this paper, the temperature and concentration distributions in an insulated salinity gradient solar pond are studied numerically in transient regime. The dimensionless governing equations are solved by finite-volume method using SIMPLER algorithm with HYBRID scheme. The pond is filled with a mixture of salt and water to form three zones: upper convective zone (UCZ), non-convective zone (NCZ) and lower convective zone (LCZ). The vertical walls and the bottom of the pond are thermally insulated. The bottom of the pond is black painted. The simulation of the insulated salinity gradient solar pond shows the existence of salt diffusion from the bottom to the free surface. This numerical study shows also that the buoyancy ratio increases and decreases the temperature and concentration in the LCZ and in the UCZ, respectively