Summer-performance of inclined roof solar chimney for natural ventilation

Effect of inclination of absorber on the airflow rate has been investigated in a solar induced ventilation system using Roof Solar Chimney (RSC) concept. During summer months, due to the higher altitude of sun, absorber at small inclination with the horizontal plane captures more solar radiation, but suffers with reduction in the stack height. Results of the developed solution show that optimum absorber inclination varies from 40 degrees to 60 degrees depending upon the latitude of place. At Jaipur (India) 45 degrees is found to be optimum for obtaining maximum rate of ventilation. At this inclination, the rate of ventilation is about 10% higher as compared to 60 degrees and 30 degrees inclinations. Experimental investigations show good agreement with the theoretical results. Roof Solar chimney of this size can easily be mounted on residential buildings for enhancing natural ventilation. (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.