Towards development of tropical solar architecture : the use of solar chimey as stack induced ventilation strategy

Abstract

The approaches in “Renewable Energy” are diversifying. We need to make shifts in our perceptions, our accepted models of thinking, making and doing, to “Renewable Energy” with our built environment in response to the tropical context. The climatic conditions of these regions are characterized by high air temperatures, high relative humidity’s and very low wind speeds, which make the environmental conditions uncomfortable. The use of solar chimneys in buildings is one way to increment natural ventilation and, as a consequence, to improve indoor air quality. In this context, this paper presents the first stage of full development on solar chimney as stack induced ventilation strategy. This research uses a cylindrical PVC pipe to a solar chimney in low cost residential building. The performance of the chimney was evaluated by predicting the temperatures along the pipe. The effects of air gap and solar radiation intensity on the performance of different chimneys were investigated. In order to verify the theoretical model, experiments were conducted on black and white pipe with each 13 feet heights. This black and white colored pipes were used to understand the effect of color on temperature difference along the pipes. The results indicated a temperature different of 5-6°C before top and bottom . This results encourage research to develop the solar chimney in tropical condition.