An Experimental Investigation of a Small-scale Solar Updraft Tower in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Solar updraft towers (SUT) continue to attract investigations as to their viability as a technology for energy generation. In this study, the experimental method is used to investigate the behavior of airflow in a small-scale solar updraft tower structure in the Sultanate of Oman. A prototype solar updraft tower with a collector diameter of 1.7 m and a chimney height of 2.14 m has been built. The chimney is a 0.023 m PVC pipe with a collector inlet height of 0.07 m. The temperature distribution in the SUT and the velocity of air at the chimney base are investigated. The impact of collector inlet opening on temperature and velocity was also explored. Results indicate that heating generally occurs as air flows through the collector and cooling happens as air exits the chimney. Also, a reduced collector inlet results in improved temperature difference and consequently an increase in air velocity.