A CLOSED SYSTEM GREENHOUSE WITH INTEGRATED SOLAR DESALINATION FOR ARID REGIONS

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 170: Greenhouse Construction and Covering Materials

A CLOSED SYSTEM GREENHOUSE WITH INTEGRATED SOLAR DESALINATION FOR ARID REGIONS

Author:

K.-H. Strauch

Abstract:
A greenhouse system insuring a watersaving performance and a low energy demand in arid regions is developed with reference to an adaption to remote areas. The system's characteristics are:

construction elements used in commercial greenhouse design
operation without active cooling devices
closed atmosphere without uncontrolled air exchange
water recollection by condensation on interior covers
integrated solar still for water purification with regard to utilization of water reservoirs at hand
selective elimination of near-infrared-radiation (NIR) in order to affect the system's energy balance
improved heat dissipation by forced convection at interior cover

Analysis of the system is carried out by application of a simulation model calibrated on the basis of experimental investigations of greenhousemodels. Several modifications which affect the closed system's energy balance are taken into account. The system's performance is transfered to arid conditions by means of the simulation model. The effect of NIR-absorption, NIR-reflection (cover materials), forced convection at interior greenhouse cover and uncontrolled air exchange is described. The water balance shows the important contribution of water recollection by condensation which appears in the range of 84 % of the water demand.

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