Solar Chimney Turbine Performance

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the performance of a solar chimney turbine is presented. The design features a single rotor and uses the chimney supports as inlet guide vanes (IGVs) to introduce pre-whirl. This reduces the turbine exit kinetic energy at the diffuser inlet and assists the flow turning in the IGV-to-rotor duct. The rotor configuration allows the supports to be placed directly under the chimney walls. Measurements from a scale model turbine are used to calculate the turbine performance and efficiency. Efficiencies over a wide operating range and detailed performance measurements at two operating points are presented. Total-to-total efficiencies of 85–90% and total-to-static of 77–80% over the design range are measured. The detailed measurements give insight into the turbine performance and possible design improvements. These results allow more accurate simulation of solar chimney power plants.