Numerical and experimental investigation of solar chimney power plant system performance

ABSTRACT

A prototype of a solar chimney power plant was performed by modeling in this study. The performed prototype was experimentally confirmed. Temperature, velocity, and radiation values were measured to actualize the confirmation. Experimental data that were obtained to determine the performance of solar chimney whose prototype was actualized by the help of measured values were computationally analyzed. The geometry of a solar chimney in the analysis was bidimensionally (2D) drawn on an axis of symmetry. The numerical simulation was analyzed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. Since analysis results show that there is turbulent flow in system (RNG), k-ɛ turbulence model was used. Continuity, momentum, and energy equations were applied to the solar chimney system via the finite volume method. Moreover, DO (discrete ordinates) model was inserted in analysis to evaluate the radiation effect in the collector area. In addition to all these, correlation results between SPSS 17 statistics program and data obtained were evaluated. Finally, with reference to the comparison between numerical and experimental results, data obtained and numerical data are close to each other; the prototype is applicable to the real systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar energy
• solar chimney power plant
• computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
• numerical modeling

Nomenclature

$a$	=	Absorption coefficient, m−1
Acr	=	Collector surface area m2
Ach	=	cross-sectional area of chimney, m2
β	=	thermal expansion coefficient (K−1)
CFD	=	Computational fluid dynamics
Dch	=	Chimney diameter, m
DO	=	Discrete ordinates
g	=	Gravity, ms−2
Gb	=	Turbulent kinetic energy due to buoyancy, m2s−2
Gk	=	Turbulent kinetic energy due to mean velocity,m2s−2
Gr	=	Grashof number
h	=	Convection heat transfer coefficient, Wm−2 K−1
hcr	=	Height of collector, m
Hch	=	Height of chimney, m
I	=	Solar intensity, Wm−2
$\lambda$	=	wavelength
${\eta }_t$	=	turbine efficiency (%)
$\rho$	=	density (kg/m3)
${\mathrm{\Omega }}^{\prime }$	=	solid angle (radians)
k	=	Turbulent kinetic energy, m2s−2
Pr	=	Prandtl number
$Q_v$	=	Volumetric flow rate, m3s−1
Ra	=	Rayleigh number
Ri	=	Richardson number
RNG	=	Renormalization group
RTE	=	Radiative transfer equation
SUT	=	Solar updraft tower
T	=	Temperature, K
$\mathrm{\Delta }T$	=	Temperature difference, K
Vmax	=	Maximum air velocity, ms−1
$I_{b\lambda }$	=	Black body intensity, Wm−2

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ali Serkan Avcı

Ali Serkan Avcı is M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Batman University, at Batman University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. He is currently a Ph.D. student. Works as a Research Assistant at Batman University, Faculty of Technology. His major research interests are thermodynamics, solar energy, fluid mechanics and air quality.

Hakan Karakaya

Hakan Karakaya is M.Sc. and the Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Fırat University, Institute of Science and Technology. Currently Works as an Assistant Professor at Batman University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Major research interests are energy conversion, optimum insulation thickness, solar energy applications and heating and cooling load of buildings.

Aydın Durmuş

Aydın Durmuş is presently working as Professor & Head Rector of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology and Batman University, Turkey. He has more than 33 years of teaching and research experience. His research interest is Renewable Energy Systems; Clean Energy Systems, Heat and Mass Transfer, Energy Conservation, Solar Energy Applications; CFD, Environmental Engineering & Management.  He has published more than 100 papers in International / National Journals and conferences.