Numerical and experimental investigation of solar chimney power plant system performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT A prototype of a solar chimney power plant was performed by modeling in this study. The performed prototype was experimentally confirmed. Temperature, velocity, and radiation values were measured to actualize the confirmation. Experimental data that were obtained to determine the performance of solar chimney whose prototype was actualized by the help of measured values were computationally analyzed. The geometry of a solar chimney in the analysis was bidimensionally (2D) drawn on an axis of symmetry. The numerical simulation was analyzed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. Since analysis results show that there is turbulent flow in system (RNG), k-ɛ turbulence model was used. Continuity, momentum, and energy equations were applied to the solar chimney system via the finite volume method. Moreover, DO (discrete ordinates) model was inserted in analysis to evaluate the radiation effect in the collector area. In addition to all these, correlation results between SPSS 17 statistics program and data obtained were evaluated. Finally, with reference to the comparison between numerical and experimental results, data obtained and numerical data are close to each other; the prototype is applicable to the real systems.