Performance evaluation of hybrid solar chimneys for fresh water production

Abstract

The hybrid solar chimneys power plant can produce electric energy and fresh water simultaneously. The purpose of this research is to numerically analyze the hybrid solar power plant, using heat transfer mathematical models. In this study, performance of two different cases for power generation is investigated. First, combination of solar chimney and humidifier is investigated, and second, combination of the solar chimney, humidifier, and a condenser is investigated. The effect of solar radiation and water temperature used in the humidifier on the produced electric power and fresh water is investigated. Obtained results of the first case show that adding moisture in the collector entry, it can decrease air weight as much as the radiation of the sun. According to the results obtained, in the integrating solar chimney with the humidifier, generated power increases by higher solar radiation in all three modes, although the increased power of the first case with spraying water of 40, 20, and 10°C is almost 4 times, 2.7 times, and 1.3 times higher in comparison with the classical solar chimney. It is found for the second case that, for increased solar radiation in the above three cases, the humidifier output air temperature increases and the amount of produced water and relative humidity at the output of the humidifier decreases.