Performance analysis of a bittern-based solar pond

An attempt has been made to analyze the performance of the bittern-based solar pond of a 1600-m 2 area located in Bhavnagar, India (latitude 21°, 45'N and longitude 72°, 12'E). Solar radiation transmission in the pond has been measured with a silicon solar cell module and the results are used in the calculation. Thermal efficiency of the pond is worked out by the correlations proposed by Kooi and Hull. Its value is very very low and reasons for this are discussed in the text. Theoretical temperature profiles in the NCZ and optimum thickness of the NCZ are calculated based on the correlations developed by Kooi. Calculated temperature profiles and observed profiles in NCZ match quite satisfactorily.