The El Paso salinity gradient solar pond, initiated in 1983, has been in operation since 1985. Through 16 years of research and operation, the El Paso Solar Pond has successfully demonstrated applications including desalination, waste brine management, industrial process heat production, and electricity generation; and has developed and implemented key technical advancements to improve the technical viability and economic feasibility of salinity gradient solar ponds, including: 1) an automated instrumentation monitoring system, 2) a stability analysis strategy and high temperature (60–90°C) gradient maintenance methods, 3) a scanning injection technique for improved salinity gradient construction and maintenance, 4) new liner technology, and 5) an improved heat extraction system.
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Advancements in Salinity Gradient Solar Pond Technology Based on Sixteen Years of Operational Experience
Huanmin Lu,
Huanmin Lu
The University of Texas at El Paso, Center for Environmental Resource Management, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas, USA 79968
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Andrew H. P. Swift,
Andrew H. P. Swift
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA 79409
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Herbert D. Hein,, Jr.,
Herbert D. Hein,, Jr.
The University of Texas at El Paso, Center for Environmental Resource Management, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas, USA 79968
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John C. Walton
John C. Walton
The University of Texas at El Paso, Center for Environmental Resource Management, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas, USA 79968
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Huanmin Lu
The University of Texas at El Paso, Center for Environmental Resource Management, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas, USA 79968
Andrew H. P. Swift
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA 79409
Herbert D. Hein,, Jr.
The University of Texas at El Paso, Center for Environmental Resource Management, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas, USA 79968
John C. Walton
The University of Texas at El Paso, Center for Environmental Resource Management, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas, USA 79968
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Energy Division, April 2002; final revision, December 2003. Associate Editor: M. Krarti.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2004, 126(2): 759-767 (9 pages)
Published Online: May 4, 2004
Article history
Received:
April 1, 2002
Revised:
December 1, 2003
Online:
May 4, 2004
Citation
Lu, H., Swift, A. H. P., Hein, , H. D., Jr. , and Walton, J. C. (May 4, 2004). "Advancements in Salinity Gradient Solar Pond Technology Based on Sixteen Years of Operational Experience ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2004; 126(2): 759–767. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1667977
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