Modeling of window-sized solar chimneys for ventilation

The mathematical model for predicting airflow velocity in a solar chimney has been developed through predicting temperature of the absorber, air in flow channel and glass cover. Experimental validation of the model has been done using a solar chimney having less than a 1-m-high absorber. Investigations have been carried out with three different combinations of air gap and size of the inlet opening for entry of air in the chimney. Good agreement between observed and calculated results has been obtained. The small size of the analyzed solar chimney has opened possibilities of utilizing windows as solar chimneys since the flow velocity upto 0.24 m/s has been experimentally recorded.