Numerical and Experimental Investigations on a Solar Chimney Integrated in a Building Facade

Abstract

In the paper, a numerical and experimental investigations on a prototypal solar chimney system integrated in a south facade of a building is presented. The chimney consists of a converging channel with one vertical wall and one inclined. The numerical analysis is carried out on a three-dimensional model in airflow and the governing equations are given in terms of k-ε turbulence model. The problem is solved by means of the commercial code Ansys-Fluent. The numerical analysis was intended to examine the effect of the solar chimney's stack height and depth. Results are given in terms of wall temperature distributions, air velocity and temperature fields and transversal profiles for a uniform wall heat flux on the vertical wall. Thermal and fluid dynamics behaviors are evaluated in order to have some indications to improve the energy conversion system. Furthermore first results of an experimental investigation on a chimney system 4.0 m high and 1.5 m wide are given. Air velocity in the channel and surface temperature on the heated wall are presented.

Numerical Comparison of Thermal Behaviour Between Ventilated Facades

“…Numerical analysis was performed using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software: Ansys Fluent module based on Navier-Stokes equations. The reason for choosing such software is confirmed by articles [4,5,7,10], which present similar issues solved with this software. In addition, the article by Cirillo et al [7] presents the results obtained for the validation of the numerical model also performed using this software.…”

Experimental Study of a Stationary Hot Air Solar Collector Built with Hemispherical Concentrators and Enhanced with Fresnel Lenses

“…When these collectors are put under a transparent glazing such as plastic or glass, their heating capacity increases due to the additional greenhouse effect [3]. Solar chimneys [4], Cirrillo et al, [5], Al-Kayiem and Aja, [6] and dryers [7], Arunsandeepa et al, [8], Simo-Tagne et al, [9][10][11]) are using this technology as collector with more or less variants. All those collectors which can be permanently fixed, meanwhile with no sun-tracking engine [12], barely bring temperature variation around 20°C to 25°C from the inlet to the outlet.…”

Numerical Investigation on a Solar Chimney in a Building Façade under Different Climatic Condition

“…Buonomo et al [18][19] carried out a numerical survey on natural air convection in a convergent vertical channel. Cirillo et al [20] carried out a numerical and experimental analysis on a solar chimney integrated on the south wall of a building. Zha et al [21] studied the performance of a solar chimney in a building located in the eastern part of China (Shanghai).…”