A study on a ventilation stack integrated with a light pipe

A theoretical and experimental study has been conducted on the performance of a vertical light pipe that also functions as an air flow stack for night ventilation. The rectangular light pipe of height 3 m and cross-section area 0.0625 m2 surrounded by an air duct of total cross-section area 0.23 m2 is situated above a room of height 3.8 m and floor area 9 m2. Heat transfer from the hot water in the wraparound hot water jacket to the air in the duct is assisted by stainless steel fins. The ventilation of the room, due partly to the buoyancy of the air in the duct and partly to the wind effect, amounted to nearly 10 air changes per hour which is sufficient for passive cooling during cooler night periods. The light pipe has specular reflecting walls. It was found that the transmission of daylight through the light pipe in the middle of a partly cloudy day was sufficient for illuminating the room to general illumination level.

► An experimental and theoretical study of solar heated stack-light pipe is reported.
► Solar heated water exchanges heat with air to create a stack flow.
► Wind, stack, and heat transfer effects are simultaneously coupled.
► The volume of air flow is sufficient for ventilation and passive cooling.
► The light pipe transmits sufficient natural daylight for general illumination.