Analysis of influencing factors on the performance of wavy-shape solar trombe walls based on orthogonal experimental design and simulation methods

The potential energy-saving benefits of a novel wavy-shaped Trombe wall have been demonstrated in previous research. However, due to the complexity of the physical processes involved and the presence of multiple influencing factors, definitive trends have not been identified or elucidated on the underlying mechanisms of performance enhancement. This study bridges this gap and investigates the effects of four primary influencing factors on the performance of the wavy-shaped Trombe wall. The orthogonal design of experiments is utilized to enhance research efficiency, and a methodology that integrates experimental techniques with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is employed to obtain precise data. Subsequently, analysis of variance and direct analysis are performed based on the collected data. The findings indicate that the maximum heat flux is observed at an intersection angle (β) of 95°, indicating optimal heat supply performance. Moreover, heat flux levels are comparable at intersection angles of 95°, 115°, and 135°. Furthermore, selecting a larger β is recommended when prioritizing enhanced ventilation in the design. Additionally, the solar altitude angle (α_s), azimuth angle (γ_s), and solar radiation intensity (I) are all influential factors in the system's overall performance. Notably, γ_s emerges as the most impactful variable on system performance during operation.