A complete design data and performance parameter evaluation of a pilot scale solar updraft tower

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are the best alternative for giving solution to the energy shortage and CO2 emission problems. Solar updraft tower is a relative novel technology for electricity production from solar energy. It consists of three main components; a solar air collector with absorber plate, central chimney, and a turbine. The objective of this work is to present complete design parameters of individual components of a small and less expensive prototype solar updraft tower. The main contents of this study are; solar radiation calculations, chimney design, solar wind turbine design calculations, heat loss and pressure loss estimations for collector. The pilot solar chimney power plant considered in this work consists of an air collector diameter of 3.5-m, the chimney diameter and height are 0.6 and 6 m, respectively. Theoretically the maximum velocity of air is achieved at chimney base is 1.9 m/s. The overall efficiency of the plant is estimated as 0.0019%.