Influence of area ratio (AR) on main performance parameters of solar chimney power plants (SCPPs) is investigated through a justified 3D axisymmetric CFD model. Geometric characteristics of Manzanares pilot plant (MPP) are taken into consideration for the numerical model. AR is varied from 0.5 to 10 to cover both concave and convex (convergent and divergent) solar chimney designs. Following the accuracy verification of the CFD results and proving mesh-independent solution, main performance oriented parameters are assessed as a function of AR such as velocity, temperature and pressure distribution within MPP, temperature rise of air in collector, mass flow rate of air around the turbine area, dynamic pressure difference across the turbine, minimum static pressure in the entire plant, power output and system efficiency. The results reveal that AR plays a vital role in performance figures of MPP. Mass flow rate of air ($\dot{m}$) is found to be 1122.1 kg/s for the reference geometry (AR = 1), whereas it is 1629.1 kg/s for the optimum AR value of 4. System efficiency (η) is determined to be 0.29% for the reference case; however, it is enhanced to 0.83% for the AR of 4.1. MPP can generate 54.3 kW electrical power in its current design while it is possible to improve this figure to 168.5 kW with the optimal AR value.
This research presents a comprehensive review of solar chimney power plants (SCPP) as a reliable source of renewable electricity generation. Solar chimney power plants differ from other renewable energy technologies because thermal and momentum effects result in 24-h electricity generation. However, they are influenced by a wide range of design, geometrical and operational parameters, and environmental conditions. This review evaluates the design aspects and the theoretical, numerical, experimental, and performance findings in previous works holistically and concisely. The study also extensively discusses the various optimization strategies, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of solar chimney power plants. Energy storage aspects and hybrid system designs are also addressed in the present review in order to overcome the known handicaps and limitations of solar chimney power plants. The performance figures of the technology are clearly demonstrated as a function of the design and operational conditions, and future prospects are discussed in detail. It is hoped that designers and policymakers will gain valuable insight into the technological features and advancements of solar chimney power plants, assisting them in making a better-informed decision.
Unlike other solar energy systems, solar chimney power plants (SCPPs) allow power output even when there is no sun. SCPPs are promising with their simple structure and 24-hour electricity production potential. Massive pressure tower in the system maintains continuous energy generation irrespective of climatic conditions. Solar energy harnessed by the huge collector area is transmitted to the gorund material for sensible or latent heat storage purpose, and this stored energy during daytime yields to enhanced thermal and buoyant effects even after sunset. SCPPs are also in the centre of interest owing to their eco-friendly operation not causing any CO2 emission. Design aspects in SCPPs are widely studied numerically by researchers. However, geometric design factors are merely analysed for collector and chimney, and very few attempts are done for the ground design. In the present work, a new design for ground is proposed in order to improve the energy stored in the ground material, and the upward movement of the air flow in the system from collector to chimney by changing the ground geometry. The upward movement of the air under the collector is enhanced with the new design created by inclining the ground at a distance of 21 m from the chimney inlet to a certain distance from the collector inlet. ANSYS WORKBENCH based CFD analysis is carried out based on the geometric dimensions of the Manzanares pilot plant. Analyses are based on a 90° 3D CFD model for the purpose of time saving in iterations. The CFD model is supported by RNG k-ε turbulence and DO (discrete ordinates) solar ray tracing models. After CFD results are verified with the experimental data, simulations are repeated for different designs and the ideal design is achieved. It is observed that the maximum air flow velocity, which is 14.202 m/s on the horizontal ground for the reference case, is improved by 34.1% in the new design to 19.046 m/s. In addition, it is seen that the power output of the reference case (54.333 kW) is enhanced by 23.04% to 66.855 kW.
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