Experimental assessment of energy tower performance

Abstract Solar energy is one of the most feasible options to produce energy in countries where unexploited desert areas or solar radiation are abundant. An energy tower is an effective system for electrical power generation that can perform more efficiently along with solar radiation. in this study, the efficiency of the energy tower system is investigated experimentally by an indoor fully adjustable apparatus. In this regard, a comprehensive set of influencing parameters like air velocity, humidity, and temperature and the effects of tower height on the performance of the energy tower is individually assessed. Based on the obtained results, by increasing humidification, the temperature difference increased between the inlet and outlet of the energy tower. In addition, the more the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet, the higher the airflow velocity in the outlet. The kinetic energy increases in the direction of airflow from top to bottom, and as the height of the tower lengthens, the kinetic energy enhances and subsequently increases the overall efficiency of the tower. Although the energy tower performs efficiently in the nighttime, airflow velocity increases averagely about 8% during the daytime and at the peak of the solar radiation, the airflow velocity enhances by 58% compared to nighttime.