Development of Solar Ponds Optimization Model: Arab Potash Solar System—A Case Study

Hesham El-Badry

Irrigation and Hydraulics Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Resources and Environment Department, Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners), Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/nr.2013.41010                

Abstract

A steady state optimization model used to define the optimum salt to carnallite ponds area ratio in a solar pond system was developed. The model is based on material balance analysis using a cascade of complete-mix reactors model (cascade of CFSTR, continuous-flow stirred-tank reactor) prepared for the solar pond system. The basic material balance model shall use the basic phase chemistry relations and physical parameters of the solar pond system under optimization. The Arab Potash solar pond system data was used to examine the developed model where the Arab potash solar system was used as a Case Study. In the course of the model development, calibration and validation of the model is performed. Using this steady state model the optimum salt pond to carnallite pond area ratio is deduced. This optimum ratio is defined as the optimum area ratio that maximizes the carnallite production per the total pond system area. This term, which could be expressed as tons per km², presents the best pond system efficiency. The results show that a 1.88 ratio of salt to carnallite ponds area is the optimum ratio.

Keywords

Solar Pond; Solar Evaporation; Carnallite Production; Phase Chemistry

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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