Simple analysis on thermal performance of solar chimney power generation systems

A simple analysis is made on the air flow through a solar chimney power generation system and a thermodynamic cycle of the system including the environment is established. Later, mathematical models for the ideal and actual cycle efficiencies are also established. The research results show that the ideal cycle efficiency and actual efficiency of standard Brayton cycle corresponding to medium scale solar chimney power generation system are 1.33 and 0.3% respectively, while the same parameters for large scale solar chimney power generation systems are 3.33 and 0.9% respectively. The results can give a theoretical guidance to the commercial application of solar chimney power generation systems in China.