Use of injection method in salinity gradient establishment

This paper examines the use of the injection method in salinity gradient establishment for solar ponds. The process of injecting brackish water to establish the salinity gradient through an addition and redistribution method is discussed quantitatively and a numerical algorithm for establishing any desired salinity profile in a solar pond is developed. The general procedure of the algorithm involves calculating the amount of salt necessary for creating a desired salinity profile, determining the initial surface height and pond depth, calculating the brackish water volume needed for the injection at each level, and deciding the injection flow rates and diffuser gaps. The procedure was applied successfully in July, 1991, in the gradient establishment at the El Paso solar pond.