Feasibility Study on Using Solar Chimney and Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger for Natural Heating of Buildings

Abstract

Here, the capability of the SC-EAHE system to meet the required thermal needs of individuals and also the dependence of the system performance on environmental and geometrical issues, have been studied. To determine the heat transfer characteristics of the system, a mathematical model based on energy conservation equations has been developed and solved by an iterative method. The results of study for the effect of air gap size variation on the air change per hour (ACH) at various solar radiation values shows that this effect (air gap depth on the ACH) is significant up to 0.2 (m), and the ACH and room air temperature remains almost constant beyond the 0.2 (m). The results also revealed that the design of EAHE with the diameter of 0.5 (m) would lead to the best performance. It is found that, with proper insulation, SC system can provide thermal comfort condition even at the ambient temperature as low as 5 o C and the solar radiation intensity of 185 (w/m 2).

Development of Passive Energy Source as Earth Air Pipe Heat Exchangers (Eaphe) System - A Review

“…The result of the analysis was concluded by comparing the experimental data that was collected from the existing system that was used to develop indoor thermal comfort. Preheating or pre-cooling of the air also consumes energy for its operation [101,118].…”