State-of-the-Art Review of Solar Ponds

This report provides a brief but concise review of solar pond technologies and their potential for application within the military. The report covers salt gradient solar ponds SGSP, shallow solar ponds SSP, saltless convecting solar ponds, gel ponds, viscosity stabilized ponds, and membrane ponds. In addition, several criteria were evaluated with respect to solar ponds. These included reliability, maintainability, efficiency, survivability, environmental impact and economics. Research and development requirements and ongoing activities were also summarized. This report documents one of several ongoing state-of-the-art reviews of solar technologies performed by an Air Force liaison office with the Department of Energy. Author