solar chimney
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In recent years, energy consumption from electrical devices to foster air movement in regions with warm climates has risen, with the resulting negative impact on the environment. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of a solar chimney used to induce natural ventilation in a closed space, under the weather conditions of the hot humid Mexican climate. For this purpose, CFD simulations were run using the RNG k- ɛ turbulence model and the DO radiation model, considering only natural convection phenomena. The solar chimney performance was evaluated, comparing the results of the simulations with experimental measurements, analysis which showed a good match. Temperatures of up to 46.5%°C in the air within the chimney, and of 77.1°C on the absorption plate, were obtained, results that allow verifying the influence of the heat discharge phenomenon by the natural flotation of air in the chimney.

A combined solar chimney is proposed in this paper that integrates an inclined-roof solar chimney with a traditional Trombe wall. The ventilation performance of the combined solar chimney is analyzed numerically and then compared with the Trombe wall and the inclined-roof solar chimney. The feasibility of different operation modes and the ventilation effect under different environment conditions are also discussed. The results show that when the ambient temperature ranges from 298 to 303 K in the summer, a natural ventilation mode is appropriate. Otherwise, an anti-overheating mode is recommended. When the ambient temperature is lower than 273 K in the winter, a space heating mode has a better heating effect. A preheating mode can be employed to improve the indoor air quality when the ambient temperature is higher than 278 K. The simulation results indicates that the ventilation effect of the combined solar chimney is better than that of the Trombe wall and the inclined-roof solar chimney, and the problem of overheating can be avoided. The study provides guidance for the optimal operation of a combined solar chimney.