Abstract
A 3D numerical model was made to analyse the effect of divergence angle of chimney (Φch), ambient temperature (Ta), solar flux (I) and turbine efficiency (ηtur) on wind flow and performance parameters of a solar updraft tower (SUT). A parametric study was carried out by varying Φch from 1 to 5° for different I (600–900 W/m2) and the results were compared with results for existing cylindrical chimney SUT (CC-SUT) plants. The range of Ta selected was 293–318 K and ηtur was 0.54–0.9%. Five different configurations of divergent chimney SUT (DC-SUT) plants were modelled. It was noticed that at Φch of 2°, the average velocity of air at chimney base was enhanced by 58.9% compared to CC-SUT plant. The average absorber plate temperature increased from 316.4 to 332.85 K with an increase in I from 600 to 900 W/m2 for Φch of 2°. The maximum overall efficiency, theoretical and actual power output of the DC-SUT plant were 0.0307%, 3.99 W and 2.67 W, respectively. The exergy of DC-SUT was 58% higher when Φch was increased from 1 to 2° at I = 900 W/m2. Correlations were generated to calculate performance parameters as functions of geometrical parameters.
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