Numerical model for the behaviour of a salt-gradient solar-pond greenhouse-heating system

This paper reports a parametric study of a salt-gradient solar-pond greenhouse-heating system under Jordanian climatic conditions, using a one-dimensional numerical model which has been solved using a definite difference technique. The model makes use of several empirical correlations for calculating solar fluxes, and heat losses from the solar pond. The parameters considered include the surface area of the pond, the non-convective zone (NCZ) and the lower convective-zone (LCZ) thicknesses, the inclination wall angles of the pond, the greenhouse area, the greenhouse cover transmittance, and the thermal load extracted. It has been found that, under Jordanian climatic conditions, the solar pond can provide 30% of the heating load for the greenhouse.