Investigation and improvement for a solar greenhouse using sensible heat storage material

Abstract

Greenhouses need energy to create a suitable climate for crop production in winter period. Renewable energy seems to be the appropriate and sustainable energy source to heat greenhouses. The aim of this work is to investigate the possibilities of improving the inner greenhouse climate using sensible heat storage material. A comparative study was conducted upon experimental tests carried out between control and heated greenhouse in a semi-arid region. A new design of greenhouse was proposed that consists of an economical rock-bed with the sensible heat technique for heating system in an integrated H-shape channel. The excess diurnal heat captured by the greenhouse is stored into the system and then restored for nocturnal heating. The results obtained indicate that this thermal storage system is efficient and ameliorates the greenhouse climate. The night temperature was improved by 3.2 °C and the relative humidity was reduced by 9.6%, compared to a standard greenhouse.