Design Proposal

When it comes to passive design techniques in tropical climates like El Salvador, lack of attention and knowledge on these techniques lead to homes to be overheated and due to economic reasons, air conditioning is not available in most areas. Through the use of psychometric data, natural ventilation plays a big role in helping achieve a cooler space in El Salvador along with dehumidification. In a way to promote natural ventilation, solar chimneys can be used as a way to mix hot air with cool air in order to cool a space through convective air flow. Through this method, the stacked vent that receives heat is used as a vacuum that sucks out the hot air within a space after it meets a cooler external air force. The goal for this project is to test ventilation methods through the use of solar chimneys and investigate what temperature range can be used to promote the highest amount of convective air flow within a naturally ventilated space. 

Research Question
What temperature range can be used on a stack vent to promote the highest amount of convective air flow in a naturally ventilated enclosure? 

Hypothesis 

Hotter temperatures will result in a greater convective air flow allowing to cool the enclosure a lot faster than through regular means of ventilation.  By doing so, hot air will exit the enclosure quickly.

Mockup

Materials 

Soup Cans (4) - $.50 - 1.00
Plexiglass or Acrylic Sheet - $7.38
2'x2' Board Insulation Sheathing - $6.25
2'x4' 3/4" Plywood - $24.94
Fog Machine - $35-40 
Fan - $10
Incandescent Light  $8.98
Temperature sensor

Method 

The purpose of this mockup is to understand how a thermal vacuum creates a pressure difference in order to provide air movement that will allow for a cooler enclosure. Soup cans will be heated and enclosed behind plexiglass in order to generate heat so it can suck the air out the room to create a cooler space. A fog machine will be used simulate air flow within the structure in order to visualize how the air travels when faced against means of ventilation.