Examining the Synergistic Use of East-West Reflector and Coal Cinder in Trapezoidal Solar Pond through Energy Analysis

This study examines the potential of salt gradient solar pond (SGSP) as a sustainable energy system for thermal energy storage. The research investigates the use of an East-West (EW) reflector and coal cinder additive (CC) to enhance the energy efficiency of a trapezoidal salt gradient solar pond (SGTSP). The study involved designing, fabricating, and analyzing the SGTSP systems with EW and CC, compared to the standard SGTSP system, from an energy point of view. Additionally, the study provides shading area analysis based on the SGSP system's slant angle, offering valuable insights into its performance for low-grade heat source thermal applications. The findings indicate that the EW reflector significantly increased the average solar intensity by 33.2%, while the addition of coal cinder additive raised the average temperature of the lower convection zone by 24.1%. The SGTSP system with EW reflector and coal cinder additive (SGTSP-EWR&CC) demonstrated a maximum average temperature of 83.85°C and a 42% higher energy efficiency in the lower convection zone compared to the conventional SGTSP system (SGTSP-C). Overall, the study showcases the potential of SGTSP as a sustainable energy system for thermal energy storage and provides practical strategies for enhancing its energy efficiency.