Passive solar heating of buildings using a fluidized bed plus Trombe wall system

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to mathematically model the behaviour of an airfluidized bed solar collector. A new model for an air-fluidized solar collector is developed which is based on ‘Trombe wall’ structure and theoretical and experimental studies on fluidized beds. Computer solutions are obtained for the temperature and velocity fields and for the power extracted from the system. Results obtained for the fluidized bed Trombe-wall system are compared with those for a conventional type Trombe-wall system. A finite-difference procedure was used to solve the governing equations using air as the fluid.