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Thermal Performance of Trombe Walls with Inclined Glazing and Guided Vanes

Author

Listed:
  • Albert Jorddy Valenzuela Inga

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Continental, Huancayo 12001, Peru)

  • Patrick Cuyubamba

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Continental, Huancayo 12001, Peru)

  • Boris Senin Carhuallanqui Parian

    (Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISEEK), HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia)

  • Joel Contreras Núñez

    (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Continental, Huancayo 12001, Peru)

Abstract

The Trombe Wall (TW) has gained recognition for its simplicity, efficiency, and zero operational costs, making it a key contributor to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 11 by enhancing energy access and providing sustainable heating solutions. This passive solar technology is particularly beneficial in rural areas, offering cost-effective thermal comfort while minimizing environmental impact. This study evaluates the performance of three TW configurations attached to a room, designed with inclined glazing relative to the vertical air layer and stone layers at the bottom acting as thermal mass, commonly used in rural installations in Peru. Using 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics, the analysis compares an inclined heated wall with guided vanes featuring three or five blades to a configuration without vanes. Results show that the three-blade guided flow configuration achieves the highest temperature rise of 4 °C, with a reference temperature of 20 °C, under an absorber heat flux of 200–400 W/m 2 , albeit with a slightly lower flow rate of 0.17–0.23 kg/s compared to the configuration without guided flow. The maximum thermal efficiency of 57.90% was observed for the three-blade configuration, which is 2.26% higher than the efficiency of the configuration without guided flow, under an absorber heat flux of 400 W/m 2 . The obtained path-lines reveals that the three-blade configuration minimizes flow detachment, nearly eliminates recirculation near the bottom corner of the glazing, and reduces the separation bubble at the top corner of the massive wall near the outlet. These findings highlight the potential of guided vanes to enhance the performance of Trombe Walls in rural settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Albert Jorddy Valenzuela Inga & Patrick Cuyubamba & Boris Senin Carhuallanqui Parian & Joel Contreras Núñez, 2025. "Thermal Performance of Trombe Walls with Inclined Glazing and Guided Vanes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4775-:d:1662092
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    References listed on IDEAS

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