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.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
solar absorber-convertors, solar power stations, rotors, power measurement, flow measurement, loss measurement, pressure measurement, velocity measurement, solar heating, turbines
Topics:
Design, Diffusers, Rotors, Solar energy, Turbines, Flow (Dynamics), Inlet guide vanes
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 by ASME
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