Journal of Solar Energy Research

A Computational Study on The Effect of Geometrical Configurations on Axisymmetric Solar Chimney Performance

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

2 SLTIET, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

10.22059/jser.2025.404298.1652

Abstract

This work presents a CFD-based evaluation of the airflow behavior inside a solar chimney power plant, focusing on the buoyancy forces generated when solar energy heats the air beneath the collector. An axisymmetric model inspired by the Manzanares, Spain SCPP prototype with its central updraft tower was developed and simulated in ANSYS Fluent using a finite-volume framework. The analysis uses the standard k–ε turbulence model together with the Boussinesq approximation to represent density variations under moderate temperature differences. Predicted inlet velocities and temperatures at the chimney base were compared with available experimental measurements to confirm model accuracy. A soil layer beneath the collector was included as a thermal-storage medium, which increased heat retention and helped sustain stronger airflow, producing velocities up to approximately 17.49 m/s. Parametric studies showed that enlarging both the chimney height and collector radius yielded a noticeable rise in power potential. Temperature in the tower region increased from about 300 K to nearly 379.5 K depending on the operating conditions. Additional simulations conducted at solar irradiance levels of 400 and 1000 W/m² generated inlet velocities of roughly 11 m/s and 22 m/s, respectively. Upon examined, revealing its influence on the achievable pressure difference and power output.

Keywords

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Journal of Solar Energy Research
Volume 10, Issue 4
October 2025
Pages 2645-2656