An investigation on a solar chimney model

Abstract EN

A solar chimney system (SCS) is a solar thermal power plant utilizing a combination of solar air
collector and central updraft tube to generate a solar induced convective flow which drives pressure
staged turbines to generate electricity.

In the present work, an experimental set-up model at the
mechanical engineering department of Al-Azhar University was erected.

Two geometrical
parameters (chimney height, H and collector inlet height, h) have been investigated.

The model
collector radius, R is fixed at 1 m.

The chimney diameter, d is fixed at 0.2 m and its height, H was
varied from 2 m to 4 m.

The collector inlet height, h was varied from 0.04 m to 0.08 m.

Air velocity
and temperature variation with time at chimney inlet have been measured as well as in canopy.

The
results show that the collector inlet height, h of 0.04 m and the chimney height, H of 4 m providing
an optimum configuration for the constructed solar chimney model.

The velocity and temperature
profiles in the chimney was modeled by CFD analysis based on the same model dimensions.

The
CFD simulation was compared with the experimental data of the solar chimney model and a good
agreement is noticed.