Numerical simulation of cooling performance of wind tower (Baud-Geer) in hot and arid region

In the present study, an attempt is made to study the cooling performance of a wind tower in a hot and dry region, Yazd, in Iran. For the relevant experiments and numerical studies, at first, the temperature and wind velocity inside and outside of the wind tower measured. Based on four-day measurements during last summer, a computer program was designed with language C++ to solve the equations. Also in the study the effects of parameters including wind tower height, variety of the materials used in the wind tower walls, the amount of vaporized water, the temperature of input and output air, the wind velocity and the relative humidity were investigated. Furthermore, to develop, a natural flow of air, for days without blowing a wind the role of solar chimney was considered. Finally, to evaluate the method of integral view and take information about streamlines of airflow in wind tower (Baud-Geer), velocity, pressure, humidity, temperature and density profile of fluid, Fluent software is applied to analyze the air flow in the wind tower in differential view for three-dimensional and steady state conditions with water spraying at the top of wind tower. The results indicate that the evaporative cooling is very effective in a hot and dry region. The temperature decreases considerably, if the wind towers are equipped with the water vaporization system. This causes the air becomes heavier and a natural motion of air through downside of wind tower to be produced. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.