Numerical simulation of a solar wall system

A mathematical model for simulating airflow in solar channel of the insulated Trombe solar wall system is proposed. It is assumed that the glazing is isothermal and the solar heat absorbed by the wall is transferred to the air in the channel with a constant flux by natural convection. The mass, momentum and energy conservation equations are discretized and solved through the finite difference control volume method. An experimental study of solar chimney was used to validate the proposed mathematical model. A good agreement was found between the predicted results of airflow rate and those of measurement in the different conditions. Flow and temperature fields were produced and the results were presented in terms of temperature and velocity distribution in various parts of the system. The results show that the solar heat gain and channel width are two important parameters affecting the air flow pattern and heat transfer. Further experimental work is needed to refine the model.