Investigation of collector flow for 1:30 scale solar chimney power plant model

Investigations of the flow field in scaled solar chimney power plant model were carried out using a two pronged approach: Experiments for 1:30 scale Manzanares and accompanying numerical simulations. Emphasis was on investigating hydrodynamic stability developing inward radial Rayleigh-Bénard-Poiseuille under collector model. Temperature measurements provided reference data comparison with results from direct simulation. The simulation reveal that both steady longitudinal (streamwise) modes unsteady oblique disturbance waves are amplified. Steady an azimuthal wavelength approximately 1.5 times half-height exhibit strongest spatial growth. Towards outflow (or inflow to chimney), appear merge growth rates attenuated as result strong streamwise acceleration. A scaling analysis suggests present relevant design operation realistic large-scale plants. Based investigation, buoyancy-driven instability coherent structures be expected full-size will affect heat transfer total pressure losses collector.