Experimental investigation of dynamic wind tower augmented with solar heating unit for improved thermal comfort in buildings during cold conditions

Abstract

Wind towers have been used in buildings for centuries to harness natural airflow and ventilation. Their usefulness comes from their capacity to absorb wind energy and direct it into interior areas, promoting airflow and exchange. Scientific evidence shows that buildings are a substantial contributor to global warming and energy use. HVAC systems contribute to a significant percentage of this energy demand. In this situation, using wind towers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a viable and cost-effective option.In this work, a novel approach of integrating a rotation unit into the wind tower was carried out to enhance the performance. By enabling the wind tower to rotate and align with the direction of maximum wind velocity, the system could optimize the ability to capture the wind lead up to enhanced ACR and improved indoor air quality. This study further incorporates two solar heating units (SHU) to heat the incoming fresh air, which can reduce the thermal load on conventional heating systems.Through comprehensive measurements and analysis, this work studied the performance of the wind tower system under different wind velocities and solar radiation levels. The results showed that the rotation unit (RU) increased the average Air Change Rate by as much as 61%. Due to the incorporation of SHU and RU, the overall average temperature inside the test room increased by 6.09%. Also, the average velocity intake in the wind tower rose by 15–30% due to the RU. The findings discussed in this paper provide valuable insights for architects, engineers, and researchers involved in designing and optimizing ventilation and heating systems, paving the way for more environmentally friendly and comfortable living environments.