Experimental investigation and mathematical modelling of the heat and mass transfer processes in a solar chimney

Abstract

Solar chimney is one of the solar energy-based techniques, and the phenomenon of mass transfer usually occurs in solar chimney, which has not received enough attentions to date. The aim of this paper was to develop a mathematical model of solar chimney considering both heat and mass transfer processes. Both experimental and analytical results indicated that mass transfer has a great influence on the system ventilation performance. Furthermore, the mathematical modelling revealed that the integral mean air temperature was decreased by 18.70 %, while the airflow rate was reduced by 70.40 %, when the area ratio increased from 0.10 to 0.65. Additionally, the airflow disappeared as the area ratio was further increased to 0.70. The airflow rate was increased by 70.70 %, and the integral mean air temperature was increased by 2.50 °C when the relative humidity increased from 10 % to 90 %. The integral mean air temperature was increased by 92.20 %, while the airflow rate was only increased by 1.90 % when the ambient temperature increased from 20 to 40 °C. The study provided a more accurate theoretical approach for the optimal design and prediction of ventilation performance of the solar chimney.