Thermo-hydrodynamic analysis of the flowfield in an underground concentrating solar tower under unsteady solar radiation

The purpose of the work presented in this study is related to the optimal design of an underground concentrating solar tower with sunlight using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) method to analyze the matching in chimney height and heat collector size. The present study applied the finite volume method, pressure-based algorithms, and coupled with P-1 radiation model to investigate the inflow effect under the solar radiation through glasses roof. Thereafter, design and simulation of different chimney height have been presented to study the greenhouse effect and application. Analysis of the results from CFD show that the flow can reach to higher temperature in the bottom of a solar chimney with N2O filled. The matching of the height of chimney and temperature of collector remain the optimal aspect value. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Society for Automobile, Power and Energy Engineering