An experimental investigation of a small-scale solar updraft tower in the Sultanate of Oman.
Source
Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences. v. 93, 1, p. 212-221
Author
Adamsab, Khadersab.
English abstract
Solar updraft towers (SUT) continue to attract investigations as to their viability as a technology for energy generation. In this study, the experimental method is used to investigate the behaviour of airflow in a small-scale solar updraft tower structure in the Sultanate of Oman. A prototype solar updraft tower with a collector diameter of 1.7 m and a chimney height of 2.14 m has been built. The chimney is a 0.023 m PVC pipe with a collector inlet height of 0.07 m. The temperature distribution in the SUT and the velocity of air at the chimney base were investigated and the impact of collector inlet opening on temperature and velocity was also explored. Results indicated that heating generally occurs as air flows through the collector and cooling happens as air exits the chimney. Also, a reduced collector inlet resulted in improved temperature difference and consequently an increase in air velocity.
Identifier
DOI: 10.37934/arfmts.93.1.212221
