Solar tower exploits water and sun

摘要

Based on data such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speeds, rainfall, and so on, Solar Wind Energy, Inc, USA, has developed a program to simulate the interactions that would occur inside a large tower built in an arid area with that particular weather regime. As a result, the company has developed the concept of a 'Solar Wind Downdraft Tower', a tall hollow cylinder with a water injection system near the top, with a proposed height of 650 m and a diameter of 400 m. Pumps would deliver water to the tower's injection system, producing a fine mist across the entire opening. Specific droplet sizes of water would be used determined by the needed outcome of downdraft. The water introduced by the injection system would evaporate and be absorbed by hot, dry air characteristic of an arid area. The air would be cooled, become denser and heavier than the outside warmer air and would fall through the cylinder. Calculations suggest this would reach speeds of 80 km/h or more.