Analysis of the Performance of a Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling System Driven by Solar Chimneys in a Residential Building by Using an Experimentally Validated TRNSYS Model

Andrés Soto, Pedro Martínez, Victor M. Soto and Pedro J. Martínez
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Andrés Soto: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Miguel Hernández University, Avda. Universidad, s/n-Ed. Innova, 03202 Elche, Spain
Pedro Martínez: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Miguel Hernández University, Avda. Universidad, s/n-Ed. Innova, 03202 Elche, Spain
Victor M. Soto: Department of Applied Thermodynamics, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Pedro J. Martínez: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Miguel Hernández University, Avda. Universidad, s/n-Ed. Innova, 03202 Elche, Spain

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Natural ventilation, combined with a passive cooling system, can provide significant energy savings in the refrigeration of indoor spaces. The performance of these systems is highly dependent on outdoor climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to analyse the feasibility of a passive, downdraught, evaporative cooling system driven by solar chimneys in different climatic zones by using an experimentally validated simulation tool. This tool combined a ventilation model and a thermal model of the dwelling in which an empirical model of a direct evaporative system made of plastic mesh was implemented. For experimental validation of the combined model, sensors were installed in the dwelling and calibrated in the laboratory. The combined model was applied to Spanish and European cities with different climates. In the simulation, values of cooling energy per volume of air ranging between 0.53 Wh/m 3 and 0.79 Wh/m 3 were obtained for Alicante (hot climate with moderate humidity) and Madrid (hot and dry climate), respectively. In these locations, medium and high applicability was obtained, respectively, in comparison with Burgos (cold climate with moderate humidity) and Bilbao (cold and humid climate), which were low. The evaluation of the reference building in each location allowed establishing a classification in terms of performance, comfort and applicability for each climate.

Keywords: evaporative cooling; wind tower; solar chimneys; solar cooling; TRNSYS simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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