Parametric analysis of the thermal behavior of a single-channel solar chimney

Abstract This work presents the design, construction, instrumentation and thermal evaluation of a single-channel solar chimney under a warm-humid climate. A solar chimney (0.8 m width and 2 m length) with a capacity for varying the air gap (0–0.28 m), the inclination angle (0 − 90°), and the amount of energy absorbed by the absorber plate. A parametric study was performed with a total of 60 tests under laboratory conditions. A maximum temperature difference of 16.7 °C was obtained for an angle of 15° and a 0.075 m air gap, and when the air gap was varied, the highest air speed was 0.38 m s−1. The results show that a solar chimney can be used as a passive ventilation system, where up to 5 times more air flow can be removed in an enclosure, with a maximum air change rate (ACH) of 27.11 h−1, and a maximum efficiency of 88.9%. The data obtained can be used not only to select the configuration of a chimney but also for other applications where heating or the removal of air is required, such as for drying or in ventilated roofs.