Solar Chimney Power Plant Research Articles

Divergent chimney and sloping collector design for ground heat source integrated solar chimney power plants

Divergent chimney and sloping collector design for ground heat source integrated solar chimney power plants

The effects of geometric factors on power generation performance in solar chimney power plants

This research aims to create an admissible source for specifying the relation between the plant's output power and specified geometrical parameters unique to each simulated chimney dimension. In the current study, the solar chimney output power has been studied considering 49 solar chimneys, including different collector diameters, chimney heights, and chimney diameters. The study employs the Ansys-CFX to simulate the numerical model for the unsteady k-ε turbulent flow for a vast number of geometries. The obtained results indicate that the velocity as the main factor in generating the output power has significantly improved by elevating the collector radius. The output power increased up to 50 % by elevating the collector radius and around 30 % by enhancing the chimney heights which cause an increase in airflow, temperature differentials. Moreover, increasing the chimney height has generally ascended the power plant system. Among all geometrical parameters, chimney radius had the least impact on solar chimney performance. The results indicate that the best ratio between collector radius and chimney height is 6 %–10 % to achieve the optimized output power. Our findings were verified with the available experimental setups.

The impact of turbulence models and design parameters on solar chimney power plant efficiency: A CFD study

This study numerically examines the effects of chimney height, chimney radius and collector height on the velocity, pressure and temperature distribution in a Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP). The analyses were performed using ANSYS Fluent software with two different turbulence models (RNG k-ε and SST k-ω). The results show that increasing the chimney height significantly boosts the outlet velocity but decreases the outlet temperature. Conversely, as the chimney radius increases, the outlet velocity decreases and the outlet temperature slightly drops. Changes in collector height result in complex behavior for both turbulence models in terms of outlet velocity and temperature, highlighting the importance of an optimal collector height. The study includes detailed and numerical data on how different turbulence models can be used for performance analysis and optimization. According to the analysis results, increasing the chimney height from 100 meters to 200 meters resulted in a 35% increase in outlet velocity and a 20% decrease in outlet temperature in the RNG k-ε model. In the SST k-ω model, the same increase raised the outlet velocity by 30% and decreased the outlet temperature by 15%. The research showed that both RNG k-ε and SST k-ω turbulence models respond notably to changes in collector height and design parameters. The RNG k-ε model reacts more quickly and sensitively, while the SST k-ω model behaves more steadily.

Enhancing solar chimney power plant performance through innovative collector curved-guide vanes configurations

A solar chimney is a one source used newly in power generation by converting solar energy to kinetic energy. One of the limitations of using a solar chimney is the availability of large areas for building the chimney system to obtain sufficient kinetic energy at the chimney entrance. Addressing spatial constraints in chimney systems, this study pioneers an innovative approach to augment energy generation within existing footprints. By integrating swirl guide blades into the collector, the air movement path is extended, resulting in an increase in energy at the chimney entrance. Rigorous examination of four swirl guide blade configurations is conducted through advanced numerical simulations, employing the CFDRC code with a structured grid. In addition, the study meticulously investigates the impact of collector diameter variations on overall system efficiency. Finally, the selected best configuration was studied at different numbers inside the collector. The results showed an increase in average velocity at the chimney entrance and system power of 115.1 % and 30.2 % using eight guide vanes, respectively.

Integrating geothermal energy and a solar chimney to maximize renewable energy production: An analytical investigation of a novel hybrid system

Hybrid renewable energy systems, which utilize multiple renewable sources, are becoming increasingly popular due to the need for sustainable energy. In this study, a new hybrid power plant that combines a solar chimney power plant with geothermal energy is investigated. The new system that can be activated when solar radiation is inadequate is called “geothermal pipe” and can produce up to 71 kW of electricity using a 1000-m-deep well. A geothermal pipe power plant was designed to be integrated with a system similar to the Manzanares solar chimney with a well depth of 200 m, generating an average of 15 kW of power. By increasing the distance between wells to 1.5 km, the output power can reach 20 kW. The study analyzed the impact of different parameters, such as well array, size, and temperature, on the output power. The results indicate that a new type of geothermal pipe with six inlets has the potential to increase the performance of the conventional geothermal pipe (with one well) by 26 %. This hybrid renewable energy system benefits from the combination of more than one renewable source, allowing for year-round energy production despite weather conditions.

Impact of Ground Heat Source Addition on Main Performance Parameters of Solar Chimney Power Plants: A Numerical Study

Abstract: Solar energy systems can be an alternative to fossil fuels and are vital for a sustainable environment. It is promising that solar chimney power plants (SCPPs), which are among the solar energy systems, provide 24-hour power output (PO) and can work integrated with other systems. This study is based on the Manzanares pilot plant (MPP) and demonstrates satisfactory performance with an additional heat source to be integrated into the ground of the system during hours when solar radiation is weak. The performance of the system at different source temperatures is compared with the reference case, with the model verified using the RNG k-ε turbulence model through a 3D CFD study. In fact, it is seen that the PO of the system, which yields a PO of around 10 kW at 200 W/m2 solar radiation in the reference case, exceeds 80 kW with a source temperature of 200°C. From the results, it can be noticed that the system can also output power in the evening hours when there is no sun. With an additional heat source of 200°C during non-sunlit hours, the system gives more than 75 kW PO. This PO is 50% more than the maximum PO of 50 kW in the reference case.

Investigating the Feasibility of Integrating Vegetation into Solar Chimney Power Plants in the Tamanrasset Region

Investigating the Feasibility of Integrating Vegetation into Solar Chimney Power Plants in the Tamanrasset Region

ANN and CFD driven research on main performance characteristics of solar chimney power plants: Impact of chimney and collector angle

Solar energy systems operate directly connected to the sun. Solar chimney power plants are privileged systems that can provide power output even in cloudy weather and during hours when there is no sun. The design and sizing of this system, which researchers focused on after its first application in the 1980s, is very effective on its performance. In this study, the collector slope and chimney slope that give maximum power output for the Manzanares pilot plant are investigated with a 3D CFD model. Simulations made using the RNG k-e turbulence model and the DO (discrete ordinates) solar ray tracing algorithm provide results that are in high compatibility with experimental data and literature. It is understood that the system provides maximum power at 0.6° collector slope and 1.5° chimney divergence angle. It is seen that the system, which gives a power output of approximately 46 kW in the reference case, exceeds the power output by 4.5 times and reaches 216.853 kW in the design that includes the collector and chimney slope. The effects of the main elements of the system on the performance are also included by changing the collector radius and chimney height while preserving these inclination angles. More than the power output in the reference case, 49.233 kW, can be achieved with the inclined design, with a collector radius of 73.2 m and a chimney height of 155.68 m. Although the effect of increasing the chimney height on power output continues after 1.2 floors, its effect decreases. In the study, it is seen that increasing the chimney height and changing the collector radius provide a greater increase in power output. Furthermore, the scope extends to the incorporation of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model, presenting a novel approach to predicting SCPP system performance. The findings ascertain the utilisation of 9 neurons in the hidden layer of the ANN, demonstrating a precise alignment with the study data.

Enhancing reliability and efficiency of solar chimney by phase change material Integration: An Experimental study

The Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) presents an eco-friendly and straightforward technique for converting solar radiation into electricity. However, the performance limitations and reliability challenges of SCPPs are inherently linked to the variability and intermittency of solar radiation. To tackle this issue, using phase change materials (PCMs) can enhance the thermal energy storage and release capabilities of SCPPs. This study aims to explore the impact of PCM on the exergy efficiency and performance of a solar chimney. Two pilot solar chimneys with identical dimensions were constructed, each featuring a 4 m height chimney and a 5 m diameter collector. One solar chimney was equipped with hydrated salt PCM as an energy storage layer, while the other operated without PCM. Both systems' power production and ventilation potential were evaluated using theoretical turbines, and subsequent exergy analysis discerned the operational behavior and efficiency of the systems. Results indicate that PCM increased the average air mass flow rate through the solar system during the day. The average daily air mass flow rate was 0.045 kg/s with PCM and 0.033 kg/s without PCM. Notably, mean pressure drops resulting from the airflow through the turbine were 2.44 and 1.83 Pa in the presence and absence of PCM, respectively, over a complete day. Additionally, PCM improved exergy efficiency by about 19 % due to enhanced thermal energy storage.

Numerical analysis of the divergent solar chimney power plant with a novel arc and fillet radius at the chimney base region

Solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is an ingenius concept of harnessing the solar energy for the electrical power generation, provided their efficiency is enhanced significantly. The present work focuses on the improvement of the power generation and efficiency of the plant. A finite volume CFD code is developed in FORTRAN to deal with the axisymmetric domain of the SCPP. The effect of chimney divergence angle, collector height and a novel arc and fillet radius at the chimney base is studied. For the study, an SCPP with 3 m collector diameter and 3 m chimney height with 0.05 m radius of the chimney is considered. The height of the collector is optimised and found to be 0.04 m. Diverging the chimney results in more updraft which leads to more pressure difference and increased air velocity. Also, after an optimum divergent angle, further increasing the divergence angle results in a severe reverse flow at the chimney outlet. It is observed that 2o divergent chimney is optimum which enhances air velocity by 59% and produces 290% more power than the conventional SCPP. Further improvement in the power is noticed by using the arc and fillet radii at the chimney bottom. After extensive analysis of the flow parameters, an optimum value of arc and fillet radii is proposed to be 0.1 m and 0.01 m respectively. It is noticed that for this optimum case, maximum available power is about 122% higher than the 2o divergent chimney case without any arc or fillet. The proposed design has produced an overall increment of 770% in the maximum available power of the plant and about 154% increment in the mass flow rate compared to the base case. The proposed design also enhances the collector and chimney efficiencies by about 49% and 76% respectively.

Synergistic energy solutions: Solar chimney and nuclear power plant integration for sustainable green hydrogen, electricity, and water production

Globally, countries are strategically devising and implementing plans for hydrogen production, recognizing its status as the future's primary energy fuel. This study, conducted in Irbid, Jordan, serves as a case study focusing on producing green hydrogen by integrating a Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) with a nuclear power plant (NPP). The innovative design of the proposed SCPP involves the incorporation of a water pool and an electrolyzer station, facilitating the production of desalinated water, green hydrogen, and oxygen, and leveraging the excess waste heat generated by the NPP to enhance the overall system performance. The proposed integration directly routes the excess hot air from the NPP tower into the SCPP's collector to enhance the temperature profile under the collector and the air velocity, boosting electricity and water production. This integration demonstrated a significant improvement over the conventional SCPP. Specifically, the SCPP+ NPP system produced 716 MWh/year, surpassing the traditional SCPP's output of 362 MWh/year. Furthermore, the proposed design exhibited substantial gains in freshwater production, yielding approximately 260,000 tons/year compared to the conventional SCPP's 140,000 tons/year. Ratio analysis indicates a positive correlation between integrated electricity generation and water output, emphasizing the sustained improvement in water production (average ratio ∼1.88) in the SCPP+NPP system. The proposed SCPP+NPP not only doubled its green hydrogen output, reaching 25 tons/year compared to the conventional SCPP's 13 tons/year, but also contributed a substantial 200 tons/year of oxygen, surpassing the traditional SCPP's 100 tons/year. The results underscored the superior performance of the proposed SCPP+ NPP across various metrics—hydrogen production, electricity generation, freshwater yield, and oxygen output—exhibiting a twofold improvement over the conventional SCPP. Consequently, implementing the integration between SCPP and NPP, emerges as a promising and viable solution for green hydrogen production in Jordan.

Numerical investigation on performance of solar chimney power plant with three wind resistant structures

The solar chimney power plant (SCPP) provides the approach to achieving carbon neutrality goals. The power generation of the system decreases drastically due to the ambient crosswinds (ACWs). In this paper, three wind resistant structures, including blockage wall, radial partition wall (RPW), and porous wall are adopted to weaken the effects of the ACWs. In addition, the flow characteristics and power generation performance of each system are investigated in the first consideration of the 3D turbine by developing a numerical model. The results reveal that the negative effects caused by the ACWs on the system are attenuated by integrating the three structures. The adverse effect of weak winds on the SCPP is greatly weakened by integrating a blockage wall, but is not significant for robust winds. For SCPP with RPWs, the velocity is slightly increased due to the improved collector flow path by the RPWs at ACW = 0 m/s. The maximum power generation is 93.68 kW, an increase of 1.22 times over the SCPP. The uneven forces on the turbine blades due to the ACWs can be mitigated by integrating porous wall, enhancing turbine stability. In addition, the fluctuation of the power generation is less than 30 % under ACWs.

Modelling and performance investigation of a solar chimney power plant with glass-covered solar collector

ABSTRACT Solar chimney power plants (SCPP) exploit solar radiation to create an up-draft airflow to run a turbine. This article proposes an innovative design of an SCPP that consists of transparent glass covered solar collector. Outdoor experiments have been carried out in the arid climates of Tikrit city, Iraq, with galvanized metal tower installed instead of conventional PVC solar towers. Performance of the SCPP has been studied with and without transparent cover for collector periphery heights of 2 and 4 cm. Measurements of ambient temperature, chimney inlet temperature, interior and outlet air temperatures, humidity, air mass flow rate, and solar irradiance values were recorded from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm throughout the month of May 2021. Results show that the solar chimney collector with a periphery height of 2 cm performed better than that with the 4-cm periphery height. In addition, using transparent cover in SCPP increases the air outlet temperature by 16.4°C and air flowrate augments by around 34%. Thermal efficiency of the solar chimney with non-covered tower is found to be 10.3% whereas for a glass covered tower it increases to 14.6%, which is a remarkable 41% enhancement. Likewise, mechanical and electrical power output augment by 39.6% and 40.3% using transparent cover in SCPP. Such innovation in SCPP design is proven apposite for hot arid climates.

Investigating the impact of the diameter of the solar collector on the output power of the solar chimney system

The aim of this of paper is to study the effects of the collector radius of a solar chimney power plant (SCPP) on the power output of a solar chimney system. The data was collected from a small prototype solar chimney which was conducted at the College of Engineering, Sabratha. Geometric measurements were taken from the first model used in Manzanares, Spain. In this research, the height of the chimney was fixed at 194.6 m, the geometric dimensions of the solar chimney station were fixed and, the value of the collector radius was varied for energy production .The power output value was calculated for each radius. MATLAB software was used as numerical solution tool to assess the thermal behavior and performance of a solar chimney power plant . The maximum value obtained for the output power was 192.19 kilowatts with a diameter of 544 meters whereas the lowest value was 55 kilowatts with a diameter of 244 meters. Both values were obtained at the same time at 3 p.m. which shows the effect of the collector radius on the amount power produced. Also, it was concluded that the theoretical power output of SCPP is directly proportional to the radius of the collector.

Numerical investigation on performance of a solar chimney power plant with different absorber configurations

AbstractA solar tower system is a nonpolluting solar thermal power plant that utilizes a combination of a wind turbine and generator to convert thermal energy generated from a solar collector into electrical energy. The study focuses on a system comprising a solar collector that transforms solar energy into thermal energy, a chimney that converts thermal energy into kinetic energy, and a wind turbine that further converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. The system's performance is evaluated through the implementation of a numerical model, which is validated by comparing it with experimental data. Four different types of meshes are tested to determine the most suitable mesh for the system. The discrete ordinate radiation model is used to solve the radiative transfer equation, and the RNG k‐𝜀 turbulence model is implemented to calculate turbulence. In a subsequent study, the effect of absorber configuration on the system's performance is investigated. Three different absorber configurations—sinusoidal, square, and triangular—are proposed, and the numerical results showed that the system's performance is affected by the absorber configuration. The velocity in the chimney inlet increases for all proposed configurations compared to the standard configuration, with the triangular configuration showing the highest velocity increase. Additionally, the newly proposed configurations enhance the thermal efficiency of the system, leading to a thermal efficiency of 12.18%, 12.2%, and 13.65% for the sinusoidal, triangular, and square configurations, respectively. Overall, the solar tower system demonstrates its potential as a clean and efficient source of electrical power.

Solar Chimney Power Plants for Sustainable Air Quality Management Integrating Photocatalysis and Particulate Filtration: A Comprehensive Review

Urban air pollution has become a pressing challenge in recent times, demanding innovative solutions. This review delves into the potential of Solar Chimney Power Plants (SCPPs) as a sustainable approach to mitigating air pollution. The idea of mitigation of pollution may be an added advantage to the use of SCPPs in practice. Recent advancements, such as the integration of photocatalytic reactors (PCRs) for the elimination of greenhouse gases (GHGs), emphasizing the importance of addressing non-CO2 GHGs like CH4 and N2O are analyzed. The novelty of this review is that it not only focuses on the shifting and removal of particulate matter but also on the removal of greenhouse gases. Numerous case studies, ranging from filter-equipped SCPPs to Solar-Assisted Large-Scale Cleaning Systems (SALSCSs), are reviewed, providing a comprehensive understanding of their design, performance, and potential benefits. This review serves as a guide for researchers and policymakers, emphasizing the need for multifaceted approaches to address the intricate nexus of air pollution, renewable energy generation, and climate change mitigation.

Enhancing the electricity and desalinated water production from solar chimney power plants through integration with nuclear power plants: A case study in Jordan

A new energy generation system combining a solar chimney power plant (SCPP) with a nuclear power plant (NPP) cooling tower has been developed and assessed in Irbid, Jordan. The surplus hot air from the NPP is directly routed into the SCPP collector, increasing the initial air temperature and boosting the air profile of the SCPP, improving the air velocity inside the chimney and boosting electricity and water production. The integration of these two systems (SCPP+NPP) has shown significant improvements in electricity and water production compared to a standalone SCPP. The integrated system provides reliable electricity production throughout the day (24/7), thanks to the contribution of heat from the NPP side. Key results include a maximum electricity production rate of about 238 kW at approximately noon, twice the productive value of a conventional SCPP. The average monthly water and electricity production increased from 9.44 ktons and 25.73 MWh in the SCPP to 22.96 ktons and 63.81.64 MWh in the integrated system. The SCPP+NPP system peaks electricity production of 69.4 MWh in December, underscoring the positive influence of the added nuclear heat. While March emerges as the month of the maximum of water production (25.6 ktons) in the SCPP+NPP system, the SCPP water production peaks at 14.9 ktons in July. The results also show that the integrated system demonstrates a remarkable monthly electricity and water production of 63.81 MWh and 22.96 ktons, surpassing the standalone SCPP's production (25.73 MWh and 9.44 ktons), respectively. These results demonstrate this innovative solution's potential for optimizing excess heat produced by the NPP and the potential to revolutionize the energy industry.

Presenting new artificial intelligence techniques for finding optimum performance of solar chimney power plant

The various applications of solar energy have progressed significantly over recent decades. In this paper, finding the optimum performance criteria of a SCPP is studied. The mathematical modelling of 1-D flow is written and the optimum performance is determined for each group of geometric and environmental variables including the angle of collector roof (β), chimney divergence (α) and ambient wind velocity (Va ). In addition, different artificial intelligence techniques including regression tree, genetic programming and a novel method named trended regression tree are applied to find optimum performance conditions at any arbitrary group of α, β and Va . Results indicate that maximum power output (Pt ) and associated mass flow rate ( m ˙ ) increase with increasing chimney divergent angle and wind velocity at a constant collector roof angle. Comparing the obtained results of artificial intelligence techniques shows that trended regression tree method predicts the optimum conditions of SCPP better than other methods. Genetic programming is used to present fitted algebraic functions on Pt and m ˙ and the ratio of turbine pressure drop to pressure potential (PR). Results demonstrate the algebraic relation of PR estimates the PR accurately at each group of variables.

Numerical Study of the Solar Chimney Power Plant Performance in the Region of M’Sila-Algeria

This work offers the opportunity to examine the possibility of implementing a solar chimney power plant in the region of M'Sila (Algeria) whose solar potential is exceptional. The solar chimney is a generator of electricity starting from solar energy. Performance analysis of a solar chimney which has similar characteristics to prototype Manzaneres (Spain), that could produce 39-72 kW, and that would be used to supply electricity to 39 000- 72 000 inhabitants, was performed using the software fluent. The results obtained are very promising.

Techno feasibility study and optimum sizing evaluation of an industrial‐level solar chimney power plant with a storage system: A case study in Mumbai, India

AbstractThe current study focuses on the modeling and analysis of an industrial‐scale solar chimney power plant (SCPP) with the storage system. Rating and sizing estimations are time‐consuming and difficult to get since sun radiation is diffuse and imprecise; as a result, a theoretical technique is used to gather the necessary data. The generator is assumed to be fully loaded for the sake of the computations. Considerations including chimney height, collector radius, and storage thickness are made in order to get the appropriate generator rating and daily energy output. The optimum sizing assessment has also been obtained based on the input criteria. To get the required results, weather information for Mumbai, India has been taken into account. Based on the findings, the technical feasibility was researched and presented.