SOLAR-RADIATION ABSORPTION IN SOLAR PONDS

The local rate of absorption of the solar radiation in a solar pond is determined for the direct component at angles of incidence from 0 degree to 75 degree with 15 degree intervals as well as for the diffuse component by the exact treatment of the radiation problem. The effects of bottom reflection, the pond depth, the type of radiation on the thermal performance of the pond are examined, and a new rigorous approach is presented for treating diffuse radiation as a direct beam. The fraction of the solar radiation absorbed within the first 10 cm of water is determined under various conditions. The local rate of solar energy absorption at any depth and at any incidence angle can readily be computed from a fourth-degree polynomial expression, the coefficients of which are tabulated for different incidence angles and bottom reflectivities. 24 refs.