Solar chimney design in rural areas of Anhui, China: CFD simulation, energy and carbon footprint assessment

Abstract

China is currently undergoing a large-scale renovation of rural buildings. The solar chimney, a passive solar system, emerges as a cost-effective and easily implementable solution, particularly suitable for rural regions. This study designs a solar chimney in the Hui architectural style for renovating residential buildings in rural areas of Anhui province. A selected pilot building serves as the testbed for the solar chimney implementation, with plans to extend the design to other local renovation projects. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are employed to compare various solar chimney configurations and identify the optimal design for the case study. Results from the CFD simulations highlight the optimal configurations for the pilot building's solar chimney design. Additionally, a comparative analysis of heating and cooling energy consumption is conducted between buildings with and without solar chimneys to assess the energy-saving potential. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment evaluates the environmental impacts of solar chimney construction and the environmental benefits during operation. It is revealed that the solar chimney can reduce building energy consumption. The greenhouse gas emissions associated with solar chimney construction can be offset within one year. The study presents an effect diagram illustrating the renovated building with a solar chimney. This study provides valuable insights into the application of solar chimneys in developing rural areas to enhance indoor comfort and promote energy savings. Additionally, it offers guidance for exploring optimal solar chimney configurations for specific geographical regions areas.