Parametric analysis of the thermal behavior of a single-channel solar chimney

•A 1.6 m2 single-channel solar chimney with a variable air gap was developed and assessed.•The amount of energy absorbed by the absorber and translucent plates was simulated.•The parametric study considered the effect of the inclination angle.•A maximum temperature difference of 16.7 °C was obtained at an inclination of 15°.•The solar chimney removed up to 5 times more air flow with an air change rate of 27.11 h−1. This work presents the design, construction, instrumentation and thermal evaluation of a single-channel solar chimney under a warm-humid climate. A solar chimney (0.8 m width and 2 m length) with a capacity for varying the air gap (0–0.28 m), the inclination angle (0 − 90°), and the amount of energy absorbed by the absorber plate. A parametric study was performed with a total of 60 tests under laboratory conditions. A maximum temperature difference of 16.7 °C was obtained for an angle of 15° and a 0.075 m air gap, and when the air gap was varied, the highest air speed was 0.38 m s−1. The results show that a solar chimney can be used as a passive ventilation system, where up to 5 times more air flow can be removed in an enclosure, with a maximum air change rate (ACH) of 27.11 h−1, and a maximum efficiency of 88.9%. The data obtained can be used not only to select the configuration of a chimney but also for other applications where heating or the removal of air is required, such as for drying or in ventilated roofs.