A comprehensive optimization of phase change material in hybrid application with solar chimney and photovoltaic panel for simultaneous power production and air ventilation

Ventilation process is a significant requirement of healthy life-style and its importance was further highlighted through the recent Covid-19 global outbreak. Solar chimney is a natural indoor air ventilator without the requirement of any electricity power consumption. Hybrid solar chimney, photovoltaic panel, and phase change material (SC-PV-PCM) is investigated in this study (see graphical abstract) as the most recent newly proposed technology which is able to provide simultaneous natural ventilation and electricity in an effective manner. The contribution of this research is to identify the most efficient characteristics of phase change material (PCM) for this unique application using a comprehensive 3D validated numerical simulation. It is note that, the desirable phase change material should be able to enhance the efficiency of the ventilation process and power generation simultaneously. Hence, in order to reach the aim of this research, the impact of many effective parameters of phase change material including conductivity, melting point, heat capacity, and its enthalpy on both ventilation features of the solar chimney and electrical efficiency of solar panel is investigated for the mentioned (SC-PVPCM) hybrid technology. Besides, the economic characteristics of the above system is evaluated as well. The simulation is performed under transient real weather conditions of Hong Kong (solar radiation intensity, ambient temperature, sky temperature, and wind speed) through the month of June from sunrise until sunset.