Energy production from solar ponds

A method for collecting and converting solar energy to work, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing water in at least one solar pond for absorbing available solar energy, maintaining the water in the pond for a sufficient residence period to heat said water to an average temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 250.degree. F.;
• b. flowing the heated pond water obtained from step (a) to a storage reservoir;
• c. mixing a portion of the heated pond water from said storage reservoir with multiple immiscible working fluids in a sequential contact with said pond water to effect a heat transfer from said water to the working fluids, said working fluids each having a progressively lower boiling point temperature;
• d. allowing the mixture obtained from step (c) to effect substantial phase separation between said pond water and said working fluids;
• e. separating said working fluids from said pond water;
• f. rapidly vaporizing said working fluids and utilizing the vapors obtained from the rapid vaporization of said working fluids to power a turbine to produce work and thereafter condensing the working fluid vapors for recycling to step (c).

A method for collecting and utilizing solar energy, the method of comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a liquid in at least one solar pond for absorbing available solar energy, maintaining the liquid in the pond covered with an evaporation-inhibiting layer for a sufficient residence period to heat said liquid to an average temperature of from 100.degree. F to 250.degree. F.;
• b. effecting a contact of the heated pond liquid obtained from step (a) in a prescribed sequence with multiple immiscible working fluids to effect a heat transfer from said pond liquid to said working fluids, said working fluids each having a progressively lower boiling point temperature;
• c. separating the working fluids obtained from step (b) from said pond liquid;
• d. vaporizing said working fluids and utilizing the vapors resulting therefrom to provide a heat source from an auxiliary system.