THERMAL PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A VENTILATED TROMBE WALL UNDER HOT ARID CLIMATE CONDITIONS (CASE OF OUARGLA, ALGERIA)

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal performance of a ventilated Trombe wall system as a passive solution for improving indoor thermal comfort in hot arid climates, with a focus on Ouargla, Algeria. A simplified transient thermal model based on energy balance equations was developed to describe heat transfer processes and buoyancy-driven airflow. The model was implemented numerically using Python. Simulations were conducted for representative summer and winter conditions using climatic data. The influence of ventilation, wall thickness, and glass properties was analyzed. The results show that ventilation reduces peak indoor temperature by up to 1.7°C in summer, while in winter the system maintains indoor temperatures above 21°C with a significant thermal time lag, ensuring nighttime comfort. The findings confirm that the ventilated Trombe wall is an effective passive strategy for enhancing thermal performance in Saharan climates.