Parametric analysis of solar chimneys aiming at performance optimization in typical climates of the Brazilian territory

Abstract Natural ventilation is one of the main strategies used for the passive cooling of buildings, powered by wind forces or by stack effect. The second choice is more effective in locations where obstacles induce low wind speed, as it is the case in urban environments, for example. This paper analyses the potential of solar chimneys to promote natural ventilation in low-rise buildings in typical climates of the Brazilian territory. For this purpose, this study analysed variations in geometric and constructive parameters in cities representing each of the Brazilian climate zones. Those parameters included air channel depth, chimney length, solar collector tilt and type of glass used in the solar collector. The study also included a comparative analysis of solar chimneys with and without a solar collector, both with the same geometric configuration. The results obtained show the potential of solar chimneys to promote natural ventilation in the cities analysed, and enabled the identification of the parameters and values that optimize the performance of the set in each case.