A numerical study of a PCM-based passive solar chimney with a finned absorber

Summary

CFD simulation over a full winter day of a passive solar chimney that heats a room, with phase change material storing solar energy for use after sunset, tested with and without fins on the absorber. The PCM made room temperatures more uniform but left the average at about 14.7 °C, below comfort levels. Adding fins raised the mean room temperature by about 20% but made the airflow less uniform.

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