Performance Influence of the Solar Chimney Power Plant by Variation of the Canopy and Tower Heights

The canopy and the chimney geometries are essential parameters in the operational performance of the solar chimney power plants. The present paper deals with parametric investigation of the solar chimney performance at different canopy and chimney heights. The investigation was carried out by experimental, analytical, and numerical simulation. An experimental model was designed, fabricated, and subjected to measurements at various operational conditions in Malaysia weather conditions. The collector diameter of the model was 2.1m and the absorbing medium was black painted pebbles. The canopy was made of Perspex as transparent cover of the collector. The model has variable chimney heights of 1.6, 2.6, and 3.6 m, and was investigated with canopy heights of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.45 m, at inlet. The solar chimney system, with variable heights, was modeled mathematically and programmed for computational solution. The analytical results have been validated by comparing with the experimental data. A performance indicator was selected to comprise the air temperature rise in the collector, and the mass flow rate created in the system. The results have shown that the lowest canopy height was performing better than the higher ones. Logically, the system performed better as the chimney Height is larger.