Tower outlet/inlet radii ratio effects on the turbulent flow control in a solar chimney

Abstract

The purpose of this study is focused on the tower outlet / inlet radii ratio effects on the turbulent flow control in a solar chimney. Furthermore the investigation work has to achieve the radii ratio variation, optimal point which presents the maximum velocity and mass flow rate. The mathematical model (Naviers-Stokes and Energy Equations) are solved by finite volume numerical method. The radii ratio effects (Rt*=Rout/Rin) with reaching values from 0.5 until 6 were analyzed in the turbulent regime. This methodology allows a detailed visualization of the influence of optimal geometric and operational characteristics for such devices. The main results indicated that the radii ratio is an important parameter for thermo-hydrodynamic flow control in a solar chimney. However, the radii ratio variation has an optimum value that should not be exceeded.