Comparatively study between single-phase and two-phase modes of energy extraction in a salinity-gradient solar pond power plant

The common process in all applications of a salinity-gradient solar pond (SGSP) is the energy extraction process using single-phase mode heat transfer with some limitations such as pumping the large amount of mass flow rate, and need for big size of heat exchanger. In every respect, two-phase mode heat transfer can be selected as an advantage due to its passive case of operation and comparatively high heat transfer capacity with rational system size. In this paper, an enhanced design of a large scale SGSP power plant using some two-phase closed thermosyphons has been simulated and compared with the single-phase mode heat transfer. The simulation results showed that the overall thermal efficiency of the solar pond power plant was the highest using both thermosyphons and heat exchangers.