Supersaturated Solar Ponds for Enhanced Thermal Insulation by the Spontaneous Formation of a Thin Film Gas at the Bottom

Abstract

In this work the novel approach of supersaturated solar ponds to enhance thermal insulation of the pond by the spontaneous formation of a thin film gas blanketing its bottom which is covered by active nucleation sites is discussed. Utilizing a simplified physical model an expression for the heat transfer and the increase of temperature at the bottom of the solar pond was derived.