GEOMETRICAL VARIATION FOR EVALUATION OF SOLAR CHIMNEY THERMAL PERFORMANCE

This study investigates the performance and optimization of solar chimneys by analysing the effects of varying key dimensions—collector radius, collector height, chimney height, chimney radius, base and top radii, and chimney angle—on state variables (velocity, temperature, and pressure) at the chimney inlet. This study examines the function and the optimization of solar chimneys by research in the impact of variations in the number of key dimensions—specifically collector radius, collector height, chimney height, chimney radius, base and top radii, and chimney angle—on state parameters, including velocity, temperature, and pressure at the chimney inlet. Increasing the collector radius from 98 m to 122 m results in a rise in air velocity from 21.7 m/s to 25.6 m/s, vacuum pressure from -261 Pa to -326 Pa, and temperature from 54.2°C to 59.9°C, due to improved heat transfer. In contrast, increasing collector height from 1.8 m to 9.2 m leads to a decrease in velocity from 26.6 m/s to 22.3 m/s, temperature from 56.7°C to 48.7°C, and vacuum pressure from -355 Pa to -233 Pa. For the chimney, increasing height from 115 m to 255 m raises velocity from 21.7 m/s to 27.8 m/s and vacuum pressure from -218 Pa to -374 Pa, while reducing temperature from 57.3°C to 52°C. Increasing the chimney radius from 3.5 m to 11 m reduces velocity from 30.2 m/s to 18 m/s, temperature from 84.8°C to 54.2°C, and pressure from -440 Pa to -158 Pa. Additionally, adjusting the base and top radii, and chimney angle significantly impacts the system’s performance, indicating the importance of optimization for maximum efficiency.