Optimization and preconceptual design of a 5 MWe salt-gradient solar pond power plant at Great Salt Lake

Abstract

FOREWORD This report documents the optimization and design of a solar salt pond power plant located at the Great Salt Lake in the state of Utah. The study was performed by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) for the U.S. Department of Energy and was part of a series of solar pond engineering studies conducted at PNL. The entire Solar Pond Engineering Program consisted of four tasks. Truscott Brine Lake Feasibility Study-Working with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, PNL evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of building a solar pond power plant at Truscott Brine Lake. Truscott Brine Lake is part of Area VIII of the Arkansas-Red River Chloride Brine Control Project. Great Salt Lake Feasibility Study-This task consisted of investigating the economic feasibility of constructing a power generating facility using solar salt pond in the Great Salt Lake region. Site Comparison-The major sites proposed for the location of a large solar salt pond test facility were to be compared based on economics, performance and site characteristics. Design Handbook-PNL was to assemble a design handbook for solar salt ponds which reflect the site-specific aspects of design and cost. Task No.1 is reported elsewhere (Tulsa District, U.S. Ar~ Corp of Engineers, 1982) while Tasks 3 and 4 were to have been completed in FY 1983, but were closed out due to a change in the total project direction. This document reports some of the results of Task 2, the Great Salt Lake Feasibility Study, with particular emphasis on the method and results of the optimization study.