A Numerical Study on an Integrated Solar Chimney with Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage in Various Arrangements

The paper presents a two-dimensional numerical investigation of a solar chimney combined with an absorbing capacity wall in a building’s south façade. The analysis was carried out in Aversa (Italy), in July and December, from sunrise to sunset. The chimney is made up of a converging channel, a vertical absorbing wall, and a two-degree angled glass plate. It is 5.0 m tall, while the height of the channel is 4.0 m, with an inlet of 0.34 m and an outlet portion of 0.20 m. A phase change material with metal foam makes up the thermal energy storage system. Four possible configurations are investigated to identify the ideal hybrid system arrangement in terms of thermal performance; the commercial code Ansys-Fluent is used to solve the problem. The results of the thermal energy storage system with metal foam and PCM are provided in terms of liquid fractions, stored energy, and stream function fields, while the ones of the wall temperature distributions in the channel are reported. Thermal and fluid dynamics behaviours are so evaluated to have some useful indications to improve the system.