Computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate solar chimney power plants and investigate modeling techniques and expected energy output from the system. The solar chimney consists of three primary parts: a collector made of a transparent material such as glass, a tower made of concrete located at the center of the collector, and a turbine that is typically placed at the bottom of the tower. The collector absorbs solar radiation and heats the air below, whereby air flows inward towards the tower. As air exits at the top of the tower, more air is drawn below the collector repeating the process. The turbine converts pressure within the flow into power. The study investigated three validation cases to numerically model the system properly. Modeling the turbine as a pressure drop allows for the turbine power output to be calculated while not physically modeling the turbine. The numerical model was used to investigate air properties, such as velocity, temperature, and pressure. The results supported the claim that increasing the energy into the system increased both the velocities and temperatures. Also, increasing the turbine pressure drop decreases the velocities and increases the temperatures within the system. In addition to the numerical model, analytical models representing the vertical velocity without the turbine and the maximum power output from a specific chimney were used to investigate the effects on the flow when varying the geometry. Increasing the height of the tower increased the vertical velocity and power output, and increasing the diameter increased the power output. Dimensionless variables were used in a regression analysis to develop a predictive equation for power output. The predictive equation was tested with new simulations and was shown to be in very good agreement. / Master of Science

Cette thèse présente une étude numérique d’un séchoir solaire indirect à convection naturelle destiné à sécher les produits agricoles (les figues). La première partie analyse un séchoir solaire contenant une chambre de séchage couplée à un absorbeur inversé et une cheminée solaire. Les simulations ont été faites afin de déterminer les champs dynamique et thermique sous l’influence de la variation de la configuration de la cheminée solaire et la taille de l’ouverture d’admission. Les équations de conservations basées sur le modèle de turbulence k-ε standard sont résolues par la méthode des volumes finis à l’aide du code commercial ANSYS-Fluent. La deuxième partie analyse l’effet d’ajouter un stockage thermique sous forme d’un lit en gravier dans la chambre de séchage. Le lit est modélisé comme un milieu poreux. En plus, cette étude propose l’utilisation d’une deuxième entrée d'air dans la chambre de séchage afin d’assurer une distribution thermique plus homogène au niveau des claies et de garantir un séchage plus uniforme. / This thesis presents a numerical study of an indirect natural convection solar dryer for drying agricultural products (Figs). The first part analyzes a solar dryer containing a drying chamber coupled to a reversed absorber and a solar chimney. Simulations were made to determine the dynamic and thermal fields under the influence of the variation of the solar chimney configuration and the size of the inlet opening. The governing equations based on the standard k-ε turbulence model are solved by the finite volume method using the ANSYS-Fluent commercial code. The second part analyzes the effect of adding a thermal storage in the form of a gravel bed in the drying chamber. The bed is modeled as a porous medium. Furthermore, this study proposes the use of a second air inlet in the drying chamber in order to ensure a more homogeneous thermal distribution at the level of the racks and to guarantee a more uniform drying.

Increasing energy use has caused many environmental problems including global warming. Energy use is growing rapidly in developing countries and surprisingly a remarkable portion of it is associated with consumed energy to keep the temperature comfortable inside the buildings. Therefore, identifying renewable technologies for cooling and heating is essential. This study introduced applications of steel sheets integrated into the buildings to save energy based on existing technologies. In addition, the proposed application was found to have a considerable chance of market success. Also, satisfying energy needs for space heating and cooling in a single room by using one of the selected applications in different Köppen climate classes was investigated to estimate which climates have a proper potential for benefiting from the application. This study included three independent parts and the results related to each part have been used in the next part. The first part recognizes six different technologies through literature review including Cool Roof, Solar Chimney, Steel Cladding of Building, Night Radiative Cooling, Elastomer Metal Absorber, and Solar Distillation. The second part evaluated the application of different technologies by gathering the experts’ ideas via performing a Delphi method. The results showed that the Solar Chimney has a proper chance for the market. The third part simulated both a solar chimney and a solar chimney with evaporation which were connected to a single well insulated room with a considerable thermal mass. The combination was simulated as a system to estimate the possibility of satisfying cooling needs and heating needs in different climate classes. A Trombe-wall was selected as a sample design for the Solar Chimney and was simulated in different climates. The results implied that the solar chimney had the capability of reducing the cooling needs more than 25% in all of the studied locations and 100% in some locations with dry or temperate climate such as Mashhad, Madrid, and Istanbul. It was also observed that the heating needs were satisfied more than 50% in all of the studied locations, even for the continental climate such as Stockholm and 100% in most locations with a dry climate. Therefore, the Solar Chimney reduces energy use, saves environment resources, and it is a cost effective application. Furthermore, it saves the equipment costs in many locations. All the results mentioned above make the solar chimney a very practical and attractive tool for a wide range of climates.

Thesis (PhD (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The power conversion unit of a large solar chimney power plant converts the fluid power, first into mechanical power, and then into electrical power. In this dissertation a tool is developed to determine the layout and the number of turbines of the solar chimney power conversion unit providing the lowest cost of electricity. First, the history of the solar chimney concept and the related fields of research are presented. Potential features and configurations of the power conversion unit are introduced, and it is shown how the solar chimney power conversion unit compares to those of other applications. An outline of the dissertation is given, and its potential impact is discussed. An analytical turbine model is developed. Several modelling approaches and the performance of single rotor and counter rotating turbine layouts are compared. Preliminary turbine designs are investigated, experimentally and numerically. The main aim of the experimental investigation is to verify the applicability of the loss model used in the analytical turbine model. The aim of the numerical investigation is to evaluate a commercial software package as a tool in context with solar chimney turbines. For each component of the power conversion unit an analytical performance model is introduced. Using these models, the single vertical axis, multiple vertical axis and multiple horizontal axis turbine configurations are compared from an efficiency and energy yield point of view, and the impact of the various losses on the overall performance is highlighted. A detailed cost model for the power conversion unit is also presented. To optimize for cost of electricity this cost model is then linked to the performance models, and the resulting optimization scheme is applied to several plant configurations. It is shown that for a large solar chimney power plant the power conversion unit providing minimal cost of electricity consists of multiple horizontal axis turbines using a single rotor layout including inlet guide vanes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die drywingsomsettingseenheid van ’n groot sonskoorsteenaanleg sit die vloeidrywing om, eers in meganiese drywing en dan in elektriese drywing. In hierdie proefskrif word ’n gereedskapstuk ontwikkel om die uitleg en aantal turbines van die sonskoorsteen-drywingsomsettingseenheid te bepaal wat die laagste koste van elektrisiteit lewer. Eerstens word die geskiedenis van die sonskoorsteen en verwante navorsingsvelde behandel. Moontlike eienskappe en konfigurasies vir die drywingsomsettingseenheid word voorgestel, en daar word aangetoon hoe die sonskoorsteendrywingsomsettings- eenheid vergelyk met ander toepassings. ’n Raamwerk van die proefskrif word gegee, en die potensiële trefkrag daarvan word bespreek. ’n Analitiese turbine-model word ontwikkel. Verskeie nabootsingsbenaderings en die vertoning van ’n enkelrotor en teenroterende turbine-uitlegte word vergelyk. Voorlopige turbine-ontwerpe word ondersoek, eksperimenteel en numeries. Die hoofdoel van die eksperimentele ondersoek is om die toepaslikheid van die verliesmodel in die analitiese turbine-model te bevestig. Die doel van die numeriese ondersoek is om kommersiële sagteware op te weeg as ’n gereedskapstuk in die konteks van sonskoorsteenturbines. Vir elke onderdeel van die drywingsomsettingseenheid word ’n analitiese model voorgestel. Met gebruik van hierdie modelle word die enkele vertikale-as, die veelvoudige vertikale-as an die veelvoudige horisontale-as turbinekonfigurasies vergelyk vanuit ’n benuttingsgraad- en energie-opbrengsoogpunt,en die uitwerking van die verskillende verliese op die algehele gedrag word uitgewys. ’n Kostemodel in besonderhede word vir die drywingsomsettingseenheid aangebied. Om vir die koste van elektrisiteit te optimeer word hierdie kostemodel dan gekoppel aan die vertoningsmodelle, en die gevolglike optimeringskema word toegepas op verskeie aanlegkonfigurasies. Daar word aangetoon dat vir ’n groot sonskoorsteenaanleg die drywingsomsettingseenheid wat die minimumkoste van elektrisiteit gee, bestaan uit veelvoudige horisontale-as turbines met enkelrotoruitleg en inlaatleilemme. / Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

Les conditions actuelles de réchauffement de la planète ont mené aux pays du monde à s'engager dans la durabilité et l’efficacité énergétique et la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre. En tant que troisième consommateur d'énergie, le bâtiment représente un élément clé envers l'efficacité énergétique et de la stabilisation de la température globale. Plusieurs solutions existent pour la réalisation de ces objectifs, et les travaux présentés tout au long de cette thèse concernent un composant solaire particulier à la construction externe du bâtiment, appelé cheminée solaire. Cette thèse de doctorat porte sur l'analyse expérimentale et numérique des dispositifs de stockage d'énergie, sous forme de matériaux à changement de phase (PCM), afin d'optimiser les performances de cette technologie solaire. Le but de cette étude est de caractériser l’impact des panneaux Rubitherm RT44 PCM sur une cheminée solaire en laboratoire et in situ afin de permettre une comparaison avec la version classique. De plus, un modèle numérique a été développé et testé dans le but d'obtenir un outil numérique capable de représenter le comportement d'une cheminée solaire. Enfin, une optimisation à deux objectifs du modèle numérique de cheminée solaire intégrée PCM a été réalisée afin de déterminer certains des paramètres optimaux de ce type de technologie afin d’obtenir le flux d’air sortant le plus élevé possible, tout en maintenant une température suffisamment élevée dans la cheminée atteindre la gamme de fusion des PCM. / The current global warming conditions have led nations across the world to commit into energetic sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Being the third greatest energetic consumer, the building represents a major key towards energy efficiency and global temperature stabilization. Several solutions exist for the accomplishment of these goals, and the works presented throughout this dissertation concerns a particular external building solar-driven component known as solar chimney. This PhD thesis focuses on the experimental and numerical analysis of energy storage devices, in the form of Phase Changing Materials (PCMs), for the optimisation of the performance of this solar technology. The aim of this study is to characterize the impact of Rubitherm RT44 PCM panels on a solar chimney under laboratory and in-situ conditions to carry out a comparison against the classic version. Additionally, a numerical model was developed and tested in the interest of obtaining a numerical tool capable of representing the behaviour of a solar chimney. Finally a bi-objective optimization of the PCM integrated solar chimney numerical model was carried out in order to determine some of the optimal parameters of this type of technology to obtain the highest exiting air flow, all while maintaining a high enough temperature across the chimney to reach the fusion range of the PCMs.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:09:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-02 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / This work aims to investigate the influence of solar chimneys in the natural ventilation in buildings located in Brazil. Considering that Brazil is a tropical country and has a great potential for the harnessing of solar radiation, it is intended to verify the hypothesis that the use of this device may increase air movement in indoor spaces contributing to promote thermal comfort for users of these environments. The methodology used to verify this hypothesis was based on comparing the performance of two construction systems: a conventional chimney and a solar chimney. The two models have the same height and dimensions for the air inlet and outlet. This comparison was performed by computer simulations using EnergyPlus software, for eight Brazilian cities located in each one of the bioclimatic zones of Brazil, during winter and summer. The investigated device showed satisfactory performance, increasing natural ventilation during the day in all cities simulated, even in winter, when natural ventilation may not be desired in some climates. The data were presented to facilitate the understanding of professionals in the Construction Industry in general, contributing to establish a theoretical framework on the subject, and projective guidelines for more efficient buildings from the standpoint of energy. It is also intended to contribute to the potential of this device is investigated in several Brazilian regions, always trying to adapt the buildings to the climate of where it will be built. / Este trabalho tem como finalidade investigar a influência que o uso de chaminés solares possuem na ventilação natural em edifícios localizados no Brasil. Tendo em vista que o Brasil é um pais tropical e possui um grande potencial para aproveitamento da Radiação Solar, pretende-se verificar a hipótese de que a utilização deste dispositivo pode incrementar a ação dos ventos em espaços internos de modo a contribuir na promoção do conforto para os usuários destes ambientes. A metodologia utilizada para verificar esta hipótese foi baseada na comparação entre o desempenho de dois sistemas construtivos: um dotado de chaminé convencional e outro com chaminé solar, sendo os dois modelos com a mesma altura e dimensões para aberturas de entrada e saída do ar. Esta comparação foi realizada a partir de simulações computacionais utilizando o software EnergyPlus, para 8 cidades brasileiras, representativas de cada uma das zonas bioclimáticas do pais, nos períodos de inverno e verão. O dispositivo investigado apresentou desempenho satisfatório, aumentando a ventilação natural no período diurno em todas as cidades simuladas, inclusive no período de inverno, quando a ventilação natural pode não ser desejável em alguns climas. Os dados foram apresentados de forma a facilitar o entendimento dos profissionais da Construção Civil em geral, visando contribuir para estabelecer um referencial teórico sobre o assunto, alem de diretrizes projetuais para edifícios mais eficientes do ponto de vista energético. Pretende-se também contribuir para que o potencial deste dispositivo seja investigado nas mais diversas regiões brasileiras, buscando adaptar sempre as edificações ao clima do sitio onde serão construídas.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:58:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 HugoSMO_DISSERT.pdf: 2443429 bytes, checksum: f4aa985ea6a69a950cd97df70afeffe5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-11-30 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Experiments were performed to study the effect of surface properties of a vertical channel heated by a source of thermal radiation to induce air flow through convection. Two channels (solar chimney prototype) were built with glass plates, forming a structure of truncated pyramidal geometry. We considered two surface finishes: transparent and opaque. Each stack was mounted on a base of thermal energy absorber with a central opening for passage of air, and subjected to heating by a radiant source comprises a bank of incandescent bulbs and were performed field tests. Thermocouples were fixed on the bases and on the walls of chimneys and then connected to a data acquisition system in computer. The air flow within the chimney, the speed and temperature were measured using a hot wire anemometer. Five experiments were performed for each stack in which convective flows were recorded with values ranging from 17 m? / h and 22 m? / h and air flow velocities ranging from 0.38 m / s and 0.56 m / s for the laboratory tests and air velocities between 0.6 m/s and 1.1m/s and convective airflows between 650 m?/h and 1150 m?/h for the field tests. The test data were compared to those obtained by semi-empirical equations, which are valid for air flow induced into channels and simulated data from 1st Thermodynamics equation. It was found that the chimney with transparent walls induced more intense convective flows than the chimney with matte finish. Based on the results obtained can be proposed for the implementation of prototype to exhaust fumes, mists, gases, vapors, mists and dusts in industrial environments, to help promote ventilation and air renewal in built environments and for drying materials, fruits and seeds / Estudou-se o efeito do acabamento da superf?cie de um canal vertical aquecido por uma fonte de radia??o t?rmica na indu??o de fluxo de ar por convec??o livre. Dois canais (prot?tipos de chamin? solar) foram constru?dos com placas de vidro, compondo uma estrutura de geometria tronco-piramidal. Consideraram-se dois acabamentos de superf?cie: transparente e opaco. Cada chamin? foi montada sobre uma base absorvedora de energia t?rmica, com uma abertura central para passagem de ar, e submetidas a aquecimento por meio de uma fonte radiante composta por um banco de l?mpadas incandescentes e foram feitos ensaios em campo. Termopares foram fixados nas bases absorvedoras e nas paredes das chamin?s e, em seguida, conectados a um sistema de aquisi??o de dados por computador. O fluxo de ar no interior da chamin?, sua velocidade e temperatura foram medidos utilizando-se um anem?metro de fio quente. Realizaram-se cinco ensaios para cada chamin?, nos quais foram registrados fluxos convectivos com valores variando entre 17 m?/h e 22 m?/h e velocidades de escoamento de ar variando entre 0,38 m/s e 0,56 m/s para os ensaios em laborat?rio e velocidades entre 0,6 m/s e 1,1 m/s e fluxos de ar variando entre 650 m?/h e 1150 m?/h para os ensaios em campo. Os dados dos ensaios foram comparados ?queles obtidos por meio de equa??es semi-emp?ricas, v?lidas para escoamento de ar induzido em canais e com dados obtidos atrav?s da 1? lei da Termodin?mica. Constatou-se que a chamin? com paredes transparentes induziu fluxos convectivos mais intensos que a chamin? com acabamento opaco. Com base nos resultados obtidos pode-se propor a aplica??o do prot?tipo para exaust?o de fumos, n?voas, gases, vapores, poeiras e neblinas em ambientes industriais, para auxiliar na promo??o de ventila??o e renova??o de ar em ambientes constru?dos e para secagem de materiais, frutas e sementes

Diploma thesis deals with evaluation of indoor environment of a school complex in atypical Himalayan alpine environment which is totally dependent on energy originating from renewable sources. Structural design of buildings allows maximum utilization of solar energy which is the only one actually available source of energy in this area. The buildings are de-scribed in detail, as well as measurement conducted in buildings during the last year. The out-comes of measurements are compared with desired values. The thesis is also focused on math-ematical simulations by using BSim software. The output of a building energy simulations is an energy use prediction and design of appropriate measures to improve the current situation.

Thesis (PhD (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))-- University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation builds on previous research (Pretorius, 2004) and investigates the optimization and control of a large-scale solar chimney power plant. Performance results are based on a reference location near Sishen in South Africa and a so-called reference solar chimney power plant, with a 5000 m collector diameter and a 1000 m high, 210 m diameter chimney. The numerical simulation model is refined and used to perform a sensitivity analysis on the most prominent operating and technical plant specifications. Thermo-economically optimal plant configurations are established from simulation results and calculations according to an approximate plant cost model. The effects of ambient wind, temperature lapse rates and nocturnal temperature inversions on plant performance are examined. Various new technologies are investigated for the purpose of controlling plant output according to specific demand patterns. The incorporation of vegetation under the collector roof of the plant and the influence thereof on plant performance is also explored. Results indicate that, through the modification of the collector roof reflectance, collector roof emissivity, ground surface absorptivity or ground surface emissivity, major improvements on plant performance are possible. Introducing thermal insulation or double glazing of the collector roof also facilitates substantial enhancements on plant yield. Simulations predict a notable sensitivity to the ground surface absorptivity value, while variable atmospheric temperature lapse rates and windy ambient conditions may impair plant performance significantly. Furthermore, sand is found to be unsuitable as plant ground type and thermoeconomically optimal solar chimney plant dimensions are determined to be generally larger than plant dimensions employed in previous studies. Good dynamic control of solar chimney power output is established, suggesting that a solar chimney power plant can be implemented as a base or peak load electricity generating facility. Lastly, results predict that vegetation, when provided with sufficient water, will be able to survive under the collector roof but the inclusion of vegetation will however cause major reductions in plant performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die proefskrif bou op vorige navorsing (Pretorius, 2004) en ondersoek die optimering en beheer van 'n grootskaalse sonskoorsteen-kragstasie. Uitsetresultate word baseer op 'n verwysingsligging naby Sishen in Suid-Afrika en 'n sogenaamde verwysingskragstasie, met 'n kollektor deursnee van 5000 m en 'n 1000 m hoë, 210 m deursnee skoorsteen. Die numeriese rekenaarmodel is verbeter en gebruik vir die uitvoering van 'n sensitiwiteits-analise op die belangrikste bedryfs- en tegniese kragstasie spesifikasies. Termo-ekonomiese optimale aanlegkonfigurasies is bepaal volgens die uitsetresultate van die rekenaarmodel en benaderde aanleg-kosteberekeninge volgens 'n eenvoudige kostemodel. Die invloed van wind, atmosferiese temperatuur gradiënte en nagtelike temperatuur inversies op kragstasie uitset word beskou. Verskeie nuwe tegnologië word ondersoek met die doel om aanleg uitset te kan beheer volgens spesifieke elektrisiteit aanvraagspatrone. Die inkorporasie van plantegroei onder die kollektordak, en die invloed daarvan op kragstasie uitset, word ook beskou. Bevindings dui aan dat, deur die wysiging van die kollektordak refleksie, kollektordak emissiwiteit, grondoppervlak absorptiwiteit of grondoppervlak emissiwiteit, groot verbeterings op aanleg uitset moontlik is. Die implementering van termiese isolasie of 'n dubbelglaslaag vir die kollektordak veroorsaak ook 'n beduidende verheffing in kragstasie uitset. Simulasies voorspel 'n merkbare sensitiwiteit teenoor die grondoppervlak absorptiwiteitswaarde, terwyl veranderlike atmosferiese temperatuur daaltempos en winderige omgewingstoestande aanleg uitset beduidend mag belemmer. Verder is bevind dat sand ongeskik is as aanleg grond tipe en dat termo-ekonomiese optimale sonskoorsteen-kragstasie dimensies in die algemeen groter is as die aanvaarde aanlegdimensies van vorige studies. Goeie dinamiese beheer van sonskoorsteen-kragstasie uitset is bevestig, wat suggereer dat die sonskoorsteenkragstasie as 'n basis of pieklas elektrisiteitopwekkings-aanleg ingespan kan word. Ten laaste voorspel resultate dat plantegroei, mits dit voorsien word van genoegsame water, sal kan oorleef onder die kollektordak maar dat die inkorporasie van plantegroei die aanleg uitset beduidend sal benadeel. / Sponsored by the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies