Accuracy of theoretical models in the prediction of solar chimney performance

A solar chimney is a solar power plant which generates mechanical energy (usually in terms of turbine shaft work) from a rising hot air that is heated by solar energy. The present paper compares the predictions of performances of solar chimney plants by using five simple theoretical models that have been proposed in the literature. The parameters used in the study were various plant geometrical parameters and the insolation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation was also conducted and its results compared with the theoretical predictions. The power output and the efficiency of the solar chimney plants as functions of the studied parameters were used to compare relative merits of the five theoretical models. Models that performed better than the rest are finally recommended.