Investigation of thermal performance by applying a solar chimney with PCM towards the natural ventilation of model house under Climate of Thailand

Abstract

This paper reports experimental investigation of the thermal performance of a new configuration of solar chimney integrating a phase change material (SC-PCM) aimed to enhance natural ventilation and reduce heat gain admission. This SC-PCM is composed of double walls with a 0.05 m air gap between the two. The outer wall exposed to the sun is a triple-layer wall: the first is a black-painted cement board panel 0.01 m thick. The second layer is a tank (0.015 m x 0.8 m x 1.28m) containing or paraffin. The third layer is a zinc sheet 0.005 m thick. The inner wall is a lightweight concrete 0.07 m thick. There are two 0.012 m x 0.80 m openings at the bottom (room side) and on the top of SC-PCM (outside) to allow air circulation and ventilating indoor space. Openings were protected from insects using screens. The SC-PCM was integrated into the south facade of a small house, 4.05 m3 of volume, made from 10 cm thick concrete walls. Thermal performances were compared to a simple concrete wall (SW) using another house model of the same volume. The experimental results revealed that indoor temperature of solar chimney with PCM room was lower than the single concrete wall room. Also SC-PCM induced noticed ventilation rate which varied following the intensity of solar radiation. As a conclusion, this new configuration of solar chimney integrating PCM is quite efficient as it could induce ventilation and reduce heat gain admitted through the south wall considerably. Thus, this SC-PCM can contribute to energy saving and promote sustainable built environment.