Design, development of a solar chimney with built-in latent heat storage material for natural ventilation

A prototype of a solar chimney with a built-in latent heat storage system for prolonging ventilation system operation until eveningInight or even 24 hours was designed and developed. Sodium Sulfate Decahydrate Na2SO4.OH2O (melting point 32 degrees C, latent heat offusion 126 kJ/kg) was used as a Phase Change Material (PCM) for latent heat storage. Experiments have been carried out with the air gap of 0.20 m and 45 degree inclination angle of solar chimney. Results showed that integration of PCM storage inside the solar chimney is positive and supplies a constant airflow rate of 155 m(3)/h in evening and night periods. Description of the fabricated prototype solar chimney with PCM storage, thermal analysis to predict the airflow rate, and temperatures of the component of the system with experimental results are presented.