how do i make a low-cost working model of a "solar pond"..for generatin energy????
a solar pond has a distribution of salt concentration..such that..the lower laer of water does not rise up….this water…can be heated..upto..a 100..celcius..and..can be used…..i want ppl to suggest..me….some ideas..to..construct a workin model….i want it..to be low cost…and easily constructable……..and..thn…gud enuff…to produce electricity to…light a small bulb..!!..u can..hav more info at this site abt the…solar ponds…www.solarponds.com
Low cost and solar ponds do not really go together. They are usually very big, need a lot of salty water, and a lot of expensive equipment to get the useful energy out of them. If you want do a demonstation model or a small science experiment, here is a good way to do it:
Keep two things in mind 1) maximized surface area= more energy collected. 2) Minimize energy leaving the pond
Here is my version of a "Super Enhanced Solar pond"
Picture a small baby pool. Now super-insulate the bottom and sides of it with styrofoam. Paint the bottom of it with flat black paint. Fill it half way with saturated salt solution. Fill it a quarter of the way with clear lamp oil. The last quarter of the way is an air-gap. Over the top of the pool place a sheet of thin clear plastic. Make sure the plastic does not dip into the oil.
This arrangement will capture almost all of the heat energy of the light that falls on it. The oil is an insulator and it helps keep the hot salt water from rising to the top, since the oil floats on top.
Now you need to get the energy out of it…..
I would suggest small stirling engines with their power shaft rigged to a small generator or alternator. Some of them spin at 90 rpm just on the heat of a cup of coffee. Have the hot side of the stirling engine inside the bottom of the pool. Have the cold side in the cool air, or a pool of shaded, cold water.
This small pool, 6 ft in diameter, with an appropriate stirling engine will light a lot of small light bulbs and maybe a few big ones too.
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