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A proposed method of power generation involves collecting and storing solar energy in large artificial lakes a few meters deep, called solar ponds. Solar energy is absorbed by all parts of the pond, and the water temperature rises everywhere. The top part of the pond, however, loses much of the heat it absorbs to the atmosphere, and as a result, the cool surface water serves as insulation for the bottom part of the pond and helps trap the energy there. Usually, salt is planted at the bottom of the pond to prevent the rise of this hot water to the top. A heat engine that uses an organic fluid, such as alcohol, as the working fluid can be operated between the top and the bottom portions of the pond. If the water temperature is 27°C near the surface and 72°C near the bottom of the pond, determine the maximum thermal efficiency that this power plant can have. Treat the cycle as an ideal heat engine. Would a heat engine operating under these temperature conditions (27°C and 72°C) be realistic? That is, would it be a viable power generation method? Explain your response. Ground Surface Transparent Brackish Water (1) Upper Convective Zone Insulating Salt Gradient Increasing Salinity (2) Gradient Zone Temperature (3) Lower Convective Zone (Storage Zone) = Cold Water Condenser Organic Working Fluid Electricity Turbine Pump Evaporator Ground Surface

A proposed method of power generation involves collecting and storing solar energy in large artificial lakes a few meters deep, called solar ponds. Solar energy is absorbed by all parts of the pond, and the water temperature rises everywhere. The top part of the pond, however, loses much of the heat it absorbs to the atmosphere, and as a result, the cool surface water serves as insulation for the bottom part of the pond and helps trap the energy there. Usually, salt is planted at the bottom of the pond to prevent the rise of this hot water to the top. A heat engine that uses an organic fluid, such as alcohol, as the working fluid can be operated between the top and the bottom portions of the pond. If the water temperature is 27°C near the surface and 72°C near the bottom of the pond, determine the maximum thermal efficiency that this power plant can have. Treat the cycle as an ideal heat engine. Would a heat engine operating under these temperature conditions (27°C and 72°C) be realistic? That is, would it be a viable power generation method? Explain your response. Ground Surface Transparent Brackish Water (1) Upper Convective Zone Insulating Salt Gradient Increasing Salinity (2) Gradient Zone Temperature (3) Lower Convective Zone (Storage Zone) = Cold Water Condenser Organic Working Fluid Electricity Turbine Pump Evaporator Ground Surface

Principles of Heat Transfer (Activate Learning with these NEW titles from Engineering!)
Principles of Heat Transfer (Activate Learning with these NEW titles from Engineering!)
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305387102
Author:Kreith, Frank; Manglik, Raj M.
Publisher:Kreith, Frank; Manglik, Raj M.
Chapter11: Heat Transfer By Radiation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 11.56P
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A proposed method of power generation involves collecting and storing solar energy in large artificial lakes a few meters deep, called solar ponds. Solar energy is absorbed by all parts of the pond, and the water temperature rises everywhere. The top part of the pond, however, loses much of the heat it absorbs to the atmosphere, and as a result, the cool surface water serves as insulation for the bottom part of the pond and helps trap the energy there. Usually, salt is planted at the bottom of the pond to prevent the rise of this hot water to the top. A heat engine that uses an organic fluid, such as alcohol, as the working fluid can be operated between the top and the bottom portions of the pond. If the water temperature is 27°C near the surface and 72°C near the bottom of the pond, determine the maximum thermal efficiency that this power plant can have. Treat the cycle as an ideal heat engine. Would a heat engine operating under these temperature conditions (27°C and 72°C) be realistic? That is, would it be a viable power generation method? Explain your response. Ground Surface Transparent Brackish Water (1) Upper Convective Zone Insulating Salt Gradient Increasing Salinity (2) Gradient Zone Temperature (3) Lower Convective Zone (Storage Zone) = Cold Water Condenser Organic Working Fluid Electricity Turbine Pump Evaporator Ground Surface
Transcribed Image Text:A proposed method of power generation involves collecting and storing solar energy in large artificial lakes a few meters deep, called solar ponds. Solar energy is absorbed by all parts of the pond, and the water temperature rises everywhere. The top part of the pond, however, loses much of the heat it absorbs to the atmosphere, and as a result, the cool surface water serves as insulation for the bottom part of the pond and helps trap the energy there. Usually, salt is planted at the bottom of the pond to prevent the rise of this hot water to the top. A heat engine that uses an organic fluid, such as alcohol, as the working fluid can be operated between the top and the bottom portions of the pond. If the water temperature is 27°C near the surface and 72°C near the bottom of the pond, determine the maximum thermal efficiency that this power plant can have. Treat the cycle as an ideal heat engine. Would a heat engine operating under these temperature conditions (27°C and 72°C) be realistic? That is, would it be a viable power generation method? Explain your response. Ground Surface Transparent Brackish Water (1) Upper Convective Zone Insulating Salt Gradient Increasing Salinity (2) Gradient Zone Temperature (3) Lower Convective Zone (Storage Zone) = Cold Water Condenser Organic Working Fluid Electricity Turbine Pump Evaporator Ground Surface
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