Theoretical Analysis of Trombe Wall Performance: Evaluating Key Parameters for System Efficiency

Abstract

With rising energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂) optimizing fossil fuel use and improving passive heating/cooling systems in buildings has become crucial. Trombe walls, as a sustainable solar heating solution, can significantly reduce energy demand by storing and releasing heat effectively. This study investigates the influence of thermal storage wall materials on the performance of Trombe wall systems through numerical analysis. Different multi-layer wall configurations incorporating brick, adobe, stone, and plaster-concrete-insulation composites were evaluated under varying solar radiation conditions (100-620 W/m²) over an 8-hour period (9 AM-5 PM). Results demonstrate that brick-based walls achieved superior room temperature regulation (21.25 °C vs. 20.53 °C for adobe at 620 W/m²), with thermal resistance proving more critical than material thickness. Comparative analysis revealed that plaster-concrete-insulation walls outperformed traditional materials in heating efficiency. Additionally, the study examined modified heat transfer equations for air ducts, finding that existing theoretical models (15.12 °C prediction at 11 AM) aligned more closely with experimental data (17.5 °C) than the proposed modifications (14.06 °C). The study provides clear design principles for Trombe wall optimization: prioritizing thermal-resistant materials (e.g., brick, insulated composites) over thickness and using validated heat transfer models. These insights enable more effective passive heating systems that lower energy demands in buildings. By implementing these strategies, construction professionals can significantly improve thermal performance while contributing to climate change mitigation through reduced carbon footprints.