Investigation of heat transfer and thermal storage behaviour of a solar pond under arid climatic conditions

Abstract

This study explores the thermal performance of a solar pond under Khorezm climatic conditions using a transient heat balance model. Its main aim is to analyze temperature variation and heat storage behaviour during a typical day. The model accounts for solar radiation, heat transfer with air, and heat losses to the ground. The results indicate that solar radiation fluctuates between 0 and 900 W/m², resulting in a significant increase in water temperature. The maximum water temperature reaches about 45°C, while the air temperature is around 45°C earlier in the day. A distinct time lag is observed between solar radiation and water temperature, due to water’s high heat capacity. The analysis also reveals a strong correlation between solar radiation and water temperature. As radiation increases, water temperature rises almost linearly, with slight variations caused by heat losses and time-delay effects. The heat distribution within the pond confirms that the lower layer stores most of the thermal energy, while the upper layer responds swiftly to environmental changes. This behaviour demonstrates the system’s thermal storage capacity. The study concludes that solar ponds provide a simple and effective solution for thermal energy storage in hot, arid regions such as Khorezm. The system can be utilized for low-temperature heating applications at a low cost and with dependable performance.