Basic Solar Chimney Flow Improvements

Preliminary note This paper deals with the numerical analysis procedure and results of flow simulation through solar chimney. Because of relatively low Reynolds numbers, some aerodynamic improvements could be obtained. The paper links input heat energy with geometry or air flow parameters. Basic solar chimney geometry is carried out and analyzed with CFD application in three dimensional domain. The main assumption is to reach the optimal fractional pressure drop across turbines and maximal electric energy production by solar chimney geometry adaptation. Results are numerically tested by known parameters and improvements are applied and tested. Various shapes of internal solar chimney geometry are applied and the best for given input parameters are extracted. Also, some external geometry shape solutions are investigated. Test includes comparison with the known measured air flow results in similar solar chimney (Manzanares, Spain). Results provided validate the assumptions and could be a base for further experimental investigations.