Israel utilizes solar ponds to produce ‘green’ energy. In a solar pond, the Sun’

Question

Israel utilizes solar ponds to produce ‘green’ energy. In a solar pond, the Sun’s energy is concentrated near the bottom of a salty pond. With the proper layering of salt in the water, convection is prevented. As a result, the top layer of water remains at surface temperatures of 20 to 30oC, depending on the season, while heat is concentrated in the salty layer of water at the bottom, where temperatures of 70 to 90oC are reached.

This heat can then be extracted through some processes.

2. What kind of maximum efficiency could be achieved if improved technology were to allow to reach 100oC at the bottom?

Explanation / Answer

According to the second law of thermodynamics (see Carnot-cycle), the maximum theoretical efficiency of a cycle that uses heat from a high-temperature reservoir at 80 °C and has a lower temperature of 20°C is

1-[(273+20)/(273+100)]=21.45%

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