Analysis of Solar Chimneys in Different Climate Zones - Case of Social Housing in Ecuador

The aim of this research is to simulate the performance of a solar chimney located in
different macro-zones in Ecuador. The proposed solar chimney model was simulated using a
python script in order to predict the temperature distribution and the mass flow over time. The
results obtained were firstly compared with experimental data for dry-warm climate. Then, the
model was evaluated and tested in real weather conditions: dry-warm, moist-warm and rainycold. In addition, the assumed chimney dimensions were chosen according to the literature for
the studied conditions. In spite of evaluating the best nightly ventilation, different chimney wall
materials were tested: solid brick, common brick and reinforced concrete. The results showed
that concrete in a dry-warm climate, a metallic layer on the gap with solid brick in a moist–warm
climate and reinforced concrete in a rainy cold climate used for the absorbent wall improve the
thermal inertia of the social housing.