Wind-mixing experiments for solar ponds

Experiments are described in which wind-induced entrainment was measured in a laboratory tank under strongly stratified double-diffusive conditions in order to calibrate a numerical model for application to solar ponds. Results showed that there was no effect of double-diffusive stratification and that the entrainment followed approximately an inverse Richardson number relationship. Shear-induced mixing was found to play a strong role in the entrainment process, and it is suggested that an effort be made to obtain more data on wind-induced currents in operating solar ponds. An additional series of tests is also reported in which a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of floating wave suppressors was carried out. These tests showed that the wave suppressors, consisting of either plastic netting or PVC pipes, were able to reduce average turbulence levels in the water, though it appears that there may be some enhanced mixing directly beneath the nets or pipes.