A Feasibility Study of Glass Solar Chimney Wall for Tropical Area, Case Study: Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

This research will study the feasibility of glass solar chimney walls (GSCW) compared with one-layered glass walls (OLGW) for the tropical climate present in Bangkok, Thailand.  GSCW uses the concept of indoor natural ventilation operated by heat transfer to air gap of double-layers glass wall. The research methodology is constructed of 2 sample houses and data collection over 3 seasons, data comparison and regression model for forecasting indoor temperature. The result found that GSCW had a lower indoor temperature than OLGW as an average difference in temperature of 1.63-1.30 °C, 2.46-1.80 °C and 1.36-1.28 °C for rainy, winter and summer respectively. The comparisons of energy saving from air conditioning with OLGW were 6-12%, 9-14% and 5-11% for rainy, winter and summer respectively. The reliability of regression models were calculated by R² around 0.7 – 0.89 and satisfied when fitted with experimental data. The GSCW concept can be used in office buildings or mini buildings which stand alone outdoor and will be suitable for tropical areas in the world and can help to sustain energy and the environment.