Effect of Solar Chimney on Natural Ventilation in an Industrial Workshop

This paper presents a numerical simulation based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method on the enhancement of natural ventilation in an industrial workshop with heat source induced by solar chimney (SC). Four types of SC were designed to attach to the top and southern roof of the workshop. Realizable k-ε turbulent model and DO (discrete ordinate) radiation model were used to calculate the air flow and heat transfer in the workshop and SC channel. Results on ventilation rate, air velocity and temperature in operating zone were compared and discussed. When a suitable SC was fit to the workshop roof, the maximum ventilation rate increased about 36.3% and the mean air velocity increased about 20.7% compared to the original design of the workshop. The air temperature in operating zone was also decreased when SC was used. Local temperature contour and flow vector for 2 SC structures were presented and discussed.