Experimental and analytical approach on the Trombe wall thermal performance parameters characterization

An analytical and experimental analysis on the Trombe wall thermal performance was carried out for different conditions of ventilation openings and occlusion device operation. Experimental results allowed to determine temperature fluctuation, heat flux, heat delay and air velocity at the ventilation openings. A calculation methodology was applied to estimate the heat gains and losses through the system using experimental data. Ventilation openings and occlusion device effect was immediately visible in the temperature fluctuation and, consequentelly, in the heat gains and losses. Experimental results showed that, when there was no occlusion device, massive wall external surface temperature values exceeded 60 °C and, when it was placed, reduced to 30 °C or less. Heat took almost 3 times more to achieve the interior of the test cell when the ventilation openings were closed. Air velocity increased following a diagonally pattern from the bottom to the top of the ventilation opening and its values varied between 0.10 m/s and 0.40 m/s, leading to air flow values between 0.002 m3/s and 0.008 m3/s. The calculation methodology application allowed to determine the total gains through the system for a continuous period. The impact of the system operation on the different thermal performance parameters was observed.