Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the implementation of the finite volume numerical method applicable to non-orthogonal control volumes and the application of the method to calculate the thermo-flow field within the collector area of a solar chimney power generating plant. The discretisation of the governing equations for the transient, Newtonian, incompressible and turbulent fluid flow, including heat transfer, is presented for a non-orthogonal coordinate frame. The standard k - E turbulence model, modified to include rough surfaces, is included and evaluated in the method. An implicit solution procedure (SIP-semi implicit procedure) as an alternative to a direct solution procedure for the calculation of the flow field on nonstaggered grids is investigated, presented and evaluated in this study. The Rhie and Chow interpolation practice was employed with the pressurecorrection equation to eliminate the presence of pressure oscillations on nonstaggered grids. The computer code for the solution of the three-dimensional thermo-flow fields is developed in FORTRAN 77. The code is evaluated against simple test cases for which analytical and experimental results exist. It is also applied to the analysis of the thermo-flow field of the air flow through a radial solar collector. KEYWORDS: NUMERICAL METHOD, FINITE VOLUME, NON-ORTHOGONAL, k+-e TURBULENCE MODEL, SIP / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie ondersoek die implementering van 'n eindige volume numeriese metode van toepassing op nie-ortogonale kontrole volumes asook die toepassing van die metode om die termo-vloei veld binne die kollekteerder area van 'n sonskoorsteen krag aanleg te bereken. Die diskretisering van die behoudsvergelykings vir die tyd-afhanlike, Newtonse, onsamedrukbare en turbulente vloei, insluitende hitteoordrag, word beskryf vir 'n nie-ortogonale koordinaatstelsel. Die standaard k - E turbulensiemodel, aangepas om growwe oppervlakrandvoorwaardes te hanteer, is ingesluit en geevalueer in die studie. 'n Implisiete oplossings metode (SIP-semi implisiete prosedure) as alternatief vir 'n direkte oplossingsmetode is ondersoek en geimplimenteer vir die berekening van die vloeiveld met nie-verspringde roosters. 'n Rhie en Chow interpolasie metode is gebruik tesame met die drukkorreksie-vergelyking ten einde ossilasies in die drukveld in die nie-verspringde roosters te vermy. Die rekenaarkode vir die oplossing van die drie dimensionele termo-vloeiveld is ontwikkel in FORTRAN 77. Die kode is geevalueer teen eenvoudige toetsprobleme waarvoor analitiese en eksperimentele resultate bestaan. Die kode IS ook gebruik om die termo-vloeiveld binne 'n radiale son kollekteerder te analiseer. SLEUTELWOORDE: NUMERIESE METODE, EINDIGE VOLUME, NIE-ORTOGONAAL, k - E TURBULENSIE MODEL, SIP