Abstract Solar ponds are probably the simplest technology available for the useful conversion of solar energy. The basic technology is proven. Solar ponds have been shown to be technically feasible and economically viable for many applications, particularly for thermal use. The electrical conversion and use of solar energy via solar ponds is still questionable, in general, for economic viability. By putting the untapped sources together in the South Plains region, it looks promising economically both for thermal and electrical conversions and applications. There are a number of alkaline lake basins randomly scattered in the South Plains region of the U.S.A. In that area, there are thousands of crude oil producing wells that produce brine in abundance. The selection of suitable alkaline lake basins as a solar pond site and as depository sites of brine from oil wells and the using of this brine and salty water from alkaline lakes makes the solar pond economically viable for both thermal and electrical demands in the area.
[1]
Tibor S. Laszlo,et al.
Image furnace techniques survey
,
1963
.
[2]
Ian Colbeck,et al.
A solar pond for London
,
1977
.
[3]
H. Tabor,et al.
Solar ponds large-area solar collectors for power production☆
,
1963
.
[4]
Ari Rabl,et al.
Solar ponds for space heating
,
1975
.
[5]
H. Tabor,et al.
Review articleSolar ponds
,
1981
.
[6]
Eville Gorham.
What to do about acid rain
,
1982
.
[7]
Hershel Weinberger,et al.
The physics of the solar pond
,
1964
.
[8]
C. F. Kooi,et al.
The steady state salt gradient solar pond
,
1979
.
[9]
F. Kreith,et al.
Principles of heat transfer
,
1962
.
[10]
F. Zangrando.
A simple method to establish salt gradient solar ponds
,
1980
.
[11]
M. S. Sodha,et al.
Partitioned solar pond collector/storage system
,
1980
.
[12]
L. F. Wouters,et al.
The shallow solar pond energy conversion system
,
1976
.