Membrane stratified solar ponds

Abstract The membrane stratified solar pond is a body of liquid utilizing closely spaced transparent membranes to quench convective heat transfer in the top part of the pond. Membranes may be configured as horizontal sheets, vertical sheets or vertical tubes. Several suitable liquids and membrane materials are discussed. Conditions for suppression of convection are described, and transmission of solar radiation through the pond is discussed for each of the three membrane configurations. The steady state thermal efficiency is calculated for the horizontal sheet configuration. Thermal behavior is similar to that of salt gradient solar ponds, but much deeper heat storage layers are feasible. In some cases aquaculture farming may be suitable in the storage layer.