ISHS Acta Horticulturae 148: III International Symposium on Energy in Protected Cultivation
CLOSED SYSTEM COOLING OF A GREENHOUSE IN AN ARID ZONE CLIMATE |
| Authors: | R.J. Fuller, C.P. Meyer |
| Abstract:
Climatic extremes often restrict field crop production in arid zone areas. Current practice is to transport produce such as tomatoes in from other regions, but transportation costs are often high and the quality of produce sometimes suffers. Year round on site production in greenhouses has been suggested as a possible alternative. For economic justification, yields must be maximised and enrichment of the greenhouse atmosphere with carbon dioxide offers one possibility for this. However, enrichment is not feasible if venting or evaporative cooling with outside air is employed. This is the traditional method of cooling a greenhouse where high radiation and temperature levels are experienced. This paper describes the closed cooling system on a sealed greenhouse in an inland area of Australia. Cooling has been achieved using a rotary heat and mass exchanger in conjunction with a water spray. Cooling ability, humidity levels, air exchange rates and energy use of the system are also reported. | |
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