Numerical Heat Flux Analysis of a Trombe Wall System in Turkey

Abstract

Trombe wall is an inexpensive passive heating design method used for storing and utilizing solar energy to increase indoor temperature without relying on any mechanical system that requires additional energy. Most recent studies concerning solar wall configuration and energy efficiency have been conducted by using computational fluid dynamics. One reason for this is because semi-transparent and opaque boundaries are provided in simulating wall and glazing surfaces around the fluid domain and solar heat flux energy are allowed in through semi-transparent boundaries. However, finite element method programs employ solid and shell elements as opaque walls that transmit the energy into the domain. In this study, numerical heat flux analysis of a Trombe wall system, which was built for a previous experimental study, has been performed and numerical and experimental analysis results have been verified. According to the simulation studies, heat transfer analysis results are obtained in a good agreement with real time measurements when additional solar load calculated due to transmissivity are defined at the surfaces which are expected to be sun exposed. Besides, numerically verified model of the Trombe wall system was used in evaluating energy saving potential of residential buildings for three cities with different climate regions in Turkey.