Modeling thermal processes in a ceramic-based polyethylene film Trombe wall in COMSOL Multiphysics

The building sector is responsible for approximately 37% of global energy consumption, making energy savings and CO₂ emissions reduction in buildings critical for sustainable development. Passive solar technologies, such as Trombe wall systems, offer promising solutions by leveraging solar energy to decrease building heating loads. Trombe walls, in particular, are valued for their high efficiency, straightforward design, and zero operating costs. This study presents a numerical investigation of the thermal behavior of a ceramic-based polyethylene film Trombe wall and its interaction with the indoor environment, utilizing the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation platform. The results indicate that convective air movement is most pronounced within 0–30 cm above the floor, where maximum air velocities of up to 30 cm/s were observed on the wall opposite the Trombe wall, while velocities elsewhere in the room did not exceed 20 cm/s. Temperature analysis revealed that above 40 cm from the floor, air temperatures remained above 20°C throughout the simulation period. In contrast, below 40 cm, a wave-like temperature decrease of up to 10°C was recorded. These findings provide insights into the thermal dynamics induced by Trombe wall systems and inform strategies for optimizing passive solar heating in building design.