Ambient temperature and solar radiation effects on absorber and collector mean temperature in a solar chimney

The growing interest in solar chimneys stems from their simple design and wide-ranging applicability, offering a sustainable solution for energy efficiency and climate adaptation. However, optimizing their thermal performance in various environmental conditions remains an area of active research. This study aimed to address this gap by experimentally analyzing the thermal behavior of a solar chimney prototype with a 1-meter collector diameter in an arid climatic setting. Ten temperature sensors, evenly distributed on the absorber and collector, recorded data alongside ambient temperature and solar radiation at one-minute intervals. Results revealed that solar radiation and ambient temperature exert a significant impact on the thermal performance of the absorber and collector, with their average temperatures showing a strong correlation to these variables. A polynomial model was developed to predict the mean temperature variations of the absorber and collector as functions of solar radiation and ambient temperature, offering a reliable analytical tool for system optimization. These findings contribute to the understanding of solar chimney dynamics and provide a foundation for enhancing their design and performance, particularly in arid regions where solar energy potential is abundant. Keywords: Absorber; ambient temperature; collector mean temperature; solar chimney; solar radiation