Modelling and performance investigation of a solar chimney power plant with glass-covered solar collector

ABSTRACT

Solar chimney power plants (SCPP) exploit solar radiation to create an up-draft airflow to run a turbine. This article proposes an innovative design of an SCPP that consists of transparent glass covered solar collector. Outdoor experiments have been carried out in the arid climates of Tikrit city, Iraq, with galvanized metal tower installed instead of conventional PVC solar towers. Performance of the SCPP has been studied with and without transparent cover for collector periphery heights of 2 and 4 cm. Measurements of ambient temperature, chimney inlet temperature, interior and outlet air temperatures, humidity, air mass flow rate, and solar irradiance values were recorded from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm throughout the month of May 2021. Results show that the solar chimney collector with a periphery height of 2 cm performed better than that with the 4-cm periphery height. In addition, using transparent cover in SCPP increases the air outlet temperature by 16.4°C and air flowrate augments by around 34%. Thermal efficiency of the solar chimney with non-covered tower is found to be 10.3% whereas for a glass covered tower it increases to 14.6%, which is a remarkable 41% enhancement. Likewise, mechanical and electrical power output augment by 39.6% and 40.3% using transparent cover in SCPP. Such innovation in SCPP design is proven apposite for hot arid climates.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar chimney
• glass-covered collector
• mechanical power
• thermal efficiency
• electrical power

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fayadh Mohamed Abed

Fayadh M. Abed received B. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, M. Eng. Sc. and PhD from University of Technology, IRAQ in 1989, 1994 and 2002, respectively. Dr. Fayadh M. Abed is currently working as Professor at the Mechanical Department, College of Engineering, Tikrit University, IRAQ. Dr. Fayadh studied English language at college of language, in the university of Baghdad and obtained his bachelor of Art 2005, also, studied the law at Tikrit university in the college of Right. Professor Fayadh served in many academic positions at the University of Tikrit, Dean of the college of engineering at the University of Tikrit 2014-2019, Deputy Dean of Scientific Affairs at the College of Engineering 2012-2014, Head of Computer Department 2007-2010, Manager of Computer and Information Center. Fayadh worked a general inspector in the ministry of water resources, also he worked a General Manager of Investment Commission in Salahaldeen Governorate. Dr. Fayadh, also holds a BA in Law from Tikrit university and English from Baghdad university in addition to a diploma in French from Baghdad university. He published more than sixty research papers, nine books in the field of mechanical engineering and review many other researchers as a reviewer and edit of many international professional journals and magazine. He is an Associate Editor of the Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences, College Of engineering, Tikrit University; Associate Editor OF Journal of Engineering and Sustainable Development, College of Engineering, Mustansiriy University, Baghdad, Iraq. His research interests include thermal engineering, renewable energy, fluid mechanics, energy and buildings, energy policy.

Israa Sami Farhan

Israa S. Farhan’sacademic journey has been marked by a dedication to advancing her expertise in Mechanical Engineering. Having obtained her Bachelor’s degree in 2015, Israa pursued a Master’s in Engineering Science from the University of Tikrit, Iraq, graduating in 2019. She is currently pursuing her PhD, showcasing her dedication to advancing her expertise in the field. Presently, Israa S. Farhan serves as a lecturer in the Mechanical Department within the College of Engineering at Tikrit University, Iraq. Despite her relatively early career stage, Israa has already made notable contributions to her field through the publication of three research papers. Her focus on thermal engineering and renewable energy underscores her commitment to addressing critical challenges in energy systems and sustainability.

Tadahmun Ahmed Yassen

Tadahmun Ahmed Yassen’s earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Al-Nahrain University, Iraq, in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree from the same institution in 2003. In 2016, he successfully obtained his PhD from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia, solidifying his expertise in the field. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, Tikrit University, Iraq, Dr. Yassen is actively engaged in both research and academia. His contributions to the field are notable, with over twenty published research papers and significant involvement in the review and editing processes of various international professional journals. Dr. Yassen’s research interests primarily revolve around solar energy applications, including solar drying, solar collectors, and solar chimneys. His dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions underscores his commitment to addressing contemporary environmental challenges.

Md Hasanuzzaman

Md. Hasanuzaman is currently working as Associate Professor at the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), University of Malaya, Malaysia. He was listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists for the year 2023, 2022, 2021 & 2020. He was Program Coordinator (Master of Renewable Energy, September 2012 to September 2020), Double Degree Programme with Master of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Japan. He is an Associate Editor of the Alexandria Engineering Journal, Elsevier; Associate Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Renewable Energy Resources; and has been a Guest Editor for Renewable Energy, Elsevier. His 2 books: (1) Technologies for Solar Thermal Energy, 2022 and (2) Energy for Sustainable Development, 2020 published by Elsevier. His research interests include thermal engineering, renewable energy, energy and buildings, energy policy, transport and electric vehicles. He has delivered many keynotes speech as a keynote speaker in many international conferences. He has also authored and co-authored more than 140 research papers and 50 conference proceedings. Dr. Hasan has more than 7250 citations with an h-index of 45 in the Scopus index and 10,000 citations with an h-index of 50 in the google scholar index. Dr. Hasan has supervised and supervising more than 50 postgraduate students. He has secured and managed more than 7 million Ringgit national and international research grants as a PI & co-PI. He received a University of Malaya Excellence Award 2012 for his outstanding achievement in PhD.

Mohammed Moinul Islam

Mohammed Moinul Islamholds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, and obtained his PhD in 2022 from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Presently, he is a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET), Gazipur, Bangladesh. Demonstrating a keen focus on thermal and energy engineering, he has authored multiple research papers and book chapters, in addition to actively participating in several international conferences.

Muna Sabah Kassim

Dr. Muna S. Kassim’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Baghdad University, Iraq, in 1994, followed by a Master’s degree in 1997 from the same institution. In 2007, she earned her PhD from the University of Technology, Iraq. Currently, Dr. Muna S. Kassim holds the position of Professor at the Mechanical Department within the College Of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Iraq. Alongside her mechanical engineering expertise, she pursued legal studies at Imam Alkadhim University, specializing in the College of Law. Throughout her career, Professor Muna has held various academic roles at Mustansiriyah University, including Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department since 2021, and Manager of the Quality Assurance Division. Additionally, she has contributed significantly to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, where she served as Head of the Follow-Up Department, Head of the Evaluation Performance Department at the General Inspector Office, and Manager of the Follow-Up Chamber of the Minister’s Office. Dr. Muna’s international engagements include a Fulbright Visiting Scholar position at CWRU, Ohio, USA, in 2012, and managerial duties for the Empowering Women program at the Higher Education Ministry, IREX-USA, in 2016. In her extensive academic career, Dr. Muna has authored over eighty research papers and four books in the field of mechanical engineering. She holds two patents and has served as a reviewer and editor for numerous international professional journals and magazines. Her research interests encompass a wide array of topics, including heat transfer, fluid mechanics, nanotechnology, turbo machines, renewable energy, and energy-efficient building design.