Mathematical evaluation of sloped solar chimney power plant for power generation in different regions of Nepal

Abstract

Abstract Sloped solar chimney power plant (SSCPP) could be one of the appropriate technologies for powering Nepalese communities. The main components of the plant are chimney, collector and power-generating unit. In this study, the mathematical evaluation of the SSCPP has been conducted for the estimation of the power generation in Nepalese context. For the analysis, the mathematical models have been developed from the governing equations. The parameters such as chimney height and radius, collector radius, ambient temperature and solar insolation have been taken as inputs for simulation of the overall system. The output parameters such as overall system efficiency, chimney efficiency, air velocity, power output from the turbine and electrical power from the proposed system have been evaluated. The results showed that power developed by air, turbine power and electrical power is 120, 66 and 44 kW, respectively. The developed power is estimated when the height and the radius of the chimney were 190 and 5 m, respectively. It is seen that ambient temperature and velocity of air also play an important role in the power generation. The performance influencing the power output based on turbine pressure ratio, thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of soil and the mass flow rate have also been estimated. Besides, the solar insolation data were taken for five different regions of Nepal to find the power generation and collector efficiency.