Solar collection system
US4244351A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1978 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/44
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The concentration of the solute in solution in a saturated non-convecting solar pond is greatest at a lower hotter level decreases continuously toward a higher cooler level and is saturated at all levels, thus preventing solute diffusion. In the customary operation of such saturated non-convecting solar ponds, the heat generated by incident radiation is absorbed in a bottom or lower layer. Because of the continuously decreasing density of solute which is near saturation from the lower to the upper layers, there is little salt convection and the pool tends to be further stabilized. Further, by heating due to absorption of the radiation largely at the lower level, a temperature gradient is maintained in which the upper layers remain cool, evaporation and consequent loss of heat is inhibited and the efficiency of the solar pond is improved. It has been discovered that a brine consisting essentially of an appropriate mixture of sodium carbonate (Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO.sub.3) as a solute in water is an especially desirable solution for use in a saturated non-convecting solar pond. A cover material may be used as a barrier material over the solution to impede ca…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.