Modeling solar chimney for geometry optimization

Abstract

Wind energy characteristics include lack of “stability and predictability”. Solar updraft tower, also known as solar chimney SC, is a device in which wind is locally generated by the thermal effects of a solar collector which covers an area surrounding the chimney. In this work computational fluid dynamics, is applied to model the heat and transport relations in the collector and chimney area. The geometry, mesh layout and the existing analytical models are verified for consistency against the experimental data of Manzanares plant in Spain. As one of the geometrical parameters such as collector diameter is changed, an optimization process occurs, leading to a decision on the best matching size for the other dimensions. The process checks the output against the optimized profiles of temperature, velocity and pressure. Based on studying 180 cases in 15 groups for collector size against chimney height and diameter and another 130 cases in 12 groups for collector height, a table and graphs of matching dimensions are obtained. As a consequence of this work, it is possible now to make a more accurate decision on consistent dimensions for a solar chimney plant.