Experimental Investigation on Solar Air Heater Assisted Natural Ventilation in Single-Sided Ventilated Room

This paper presents an experimental study of solar air heater for natural ventilation in single-sided ventilated room (SSVR). This is a way to increment natural ventilation and as a consequence to improve indoor air quality. In the experiment, a flat plate collector with the length of 1.2 m, width 0.6 m and air gap 0.08 m is used. It is found that the temperature distribution of air and the induced natural air flow rate depend highly on heat input and the area of solar air heater. Experimental research indicates that the air change per hour (ACH) of room varies from 1 to 4 according to the solar incident radiation. The readings were compared with available published experimental and theoretical data. There was an acceptable trend match between experimental and published results. Instead of having a traditional solar chimney, the above approach of introducing a solar air heater method will give better solution for natural ventilation in multistory buildings.