Background
A solar chimney, or thermal chimney is a form of passive ventilation that can be applied to a structure. It uses the principles of heat transfer and fluid mechanics to naturally ventilate a structure without the need of an outside source of electricity. This makes the solar chimney a promising alternative to forced air in both the developed and the developing world.
Indoor air quality is a health issue that plagues the developing world. In many regions the ambient temperature of a household can far exceed a comfortable living temperature. In other families prepare their food and water indoors and the living space is laden with smoke [1]. The implementation of a solar chimney in an appropriate climate can help to increase the indoor air quality of a home and subsequently improve the health and living conditions of residents.
Principles
References
[1] Indoor air pollution in developing countries: a major environmental and public health challenge, Nigel Bruce, Rogelio Perez-Padilla and Rachel Albalak. http://www.who.int/docstore/bulletin/pdf/2000/issue9/bul0711.pdf