Numerical Analysis Comparing the Thermal Performance of Two Solar Chimneys Combined With Thermal Energy Storage Made of Phase Change Materials Embedded in a Metal Foam

Summary

Two-dimensional transient CFD simulations in Ansys Fluent model a building-integrated solar chimney with tilted glazing and an absorber wall of paraffin wax set in aluminium foam, which acts as latent heat storage. Four wall configurations and several thicknesses are compared, using PCMs melting at 31 °C and 42 °C on typical June and December days in Aversa, Italy, with temperatures, airflow and melt fractions reported.

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