Numerical and experimental investigation of a novel vertical solar chimney power plant for renewable energy production in urban areas

Abstract

The main challenge in designing solar chimney power plants (SCPPs) is to improve their performance by employing different techniques. This research aims to propose a new SCPP design for urban areas that can be installed on buildings, which is different from conventional SCPP conditions. The model was then analyzed experimentally and numerically (CFD and energy modeling) in order to prove its competency. For this study, ANSYS-fluent and EnergyPlus softwares were used and the case study building was the Energy Ministry of Iran. Seven parameters including air gap, thickness, slope, solar collector distance from the building's wall, chimney height, and diameter were selected for optimization to achieve maximum power outlet. A 1:50 scale of the building was also prepared for the experiment. The results indicated that increasing the height of the chimney leads to an increase in velocity. Additionally, each SCPP geometry has an optimal chimney diameter for its dimensions. It was also concluded that the operation of the system is affected by temperature and radiation, which causes higher power to be obtained in summers. The results showed that the power obtained from this power plant, which is on the same scale as the Manzanares power plant (absorber area, chimney height, and diameter), was approximately four times higher. The difference of this system compared to conventional systems is its completely vertical collector, which results in higher power with a lower chimney height.