NUMERICAL EXAMINATION OF A SOLAR CHIMNEY POWER PLANT DESIGNED FOR THE ISKENDERUN REGION

Abstract

Today, energy is accepted as the most indicator of economic development. However, the use of fossil fuels as energy sources is caused the depletion of the ozone layer, global warming and climate change. Therefore, using renewable energy systems called sustainable energy is a remarkable step in terms of both minimizing fossil fuel consumption and the effects of the environment on human health. In this study, solar chimneys, one of the solar-assisted electricity generation systems among renewable energy sources, are analyzed. A solar chimney power plant (SCPP) has been designed by considering the environmental conditions of the Iskenderun region in Hatay province. The facility consists of collector, chimney, turbine and generator. Sun rays entering the solar chimney from the transparent collector heat the air. The heated air leaves the solar chimney with the effect of the pressure difference. The turbine is placed in the chimney section where the air velocity is high. The mechanical power obtained from the turbine is converted into electrical energy through the generator. The energy source of the system is the sun, and the working fluid of the system is air. In the calculations, the average irradiance value of the Iskenderun region was used and optimization of the designed SCPP was made using these values. The optimization of the SCPP designed for the Iskenderun region is performed using numerical analysis programs.