Farid Gaci; Mohamed Walid Azizi; Ahcène Akni; Moumtez Bensouici; Djoubeir Debbah · 10.5935/jetia.v11i55.1854 https://doi.org/10.5935/jetia.v11i55.1854
ITEGAM- Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications (ITEGAM-JETIA)
Assessment of solar chimney power plant Performance under various parameters Farid Gaci; Mohamed Walid Azizi; Ahcene Akni; Moumtez Bensouici; Djoubeir Debbah This numerical study primarily seeks to illustrate that the power output of a solar chimney is determined by the equilibrium between a geometry designed to enhance thermal draft and a turbulence model that faithfully captures the physics of the flow. Several turbulence models were used to evaluate their ability to simulate flows and heat transfer within the solar chimney. A Discrete Ordinates approach was adopted to solve the radiative transfer equation and to refine performance predictions and guide the optimization of geometric and thermal parameters. The most appropriate RNG k-ε turbulence model highlighted notable differences in the distribution of dynamic and thermal fields compared to other turbulence models used. For example, the maximum variation compared to the standard k-ε model reached 0.47 m/s for velocity, 6.55 m2/s2 for temperature and 15.07 K for turbulent kinetic energy. Additionally, the study highlighted the critical impact of geometric parameters on solar chimney performance. Increasing the height of the solar chimney by 25% to 50%, for example, could boost power output by 26 % to 52 %. These results highlight key areas for improvement, paving the way for a more efficient design of this type of energy system.
Numerical / CFD
Solar chimney power plant
2025
ITEGAM- Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications (ITEGAM-JETIA)
yes
2025-01-01 12:00:00 00002050
assessment of solar chimney power plant performance under various parameters
2025
ITEGAM- Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications (ITEGAM-JETIA)
Farid Gaci; Mohamed Walid Azizi; Ahcène Akni; Moumtez Bensouici; Djoubeir Debbah
10.5935/jetia.v11i55.1854
Abstract
This numerical study primarily seeks to illustrate that the power output of a solar chimney is determined by the equilibrium between a geometry designed to enhance thermal draft and a turbulence model that faithfully captures the physics of the flow. Several turbulence models were used to evaluate their ability to simulate flows and heat transfer within the solar chimney. A Discrete Ordinates approach was adopted to solve the radiative transfer equation and to refine performance predictions and guide the optimization of geometric and thermal parameters. The most appropriate RNG k-ε turbulence model highlighted notable differences in the distribution of dynamic and thermal fields compared to other turbulence models used. For example, the maximum variation compared to the standard k-ε model reached 0.47 m/s for velocity, 6.55 m²/s² for temperature and 15.07 K for turbulent kinetic energy. Additionally, the study highlighted the critical impact of geometric parameters on solar chimney performance. Increasing the height of the solar chimney by 25% to 50%, for example, could boost power output by 26 % to 52 %. These results highlight key areas for improvement, paving the way for a more efficient design of this type of energy system.
Abstract by the authors, reproduced under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Original publication via the link below.
Open source
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