INFLUENCE OF THERMAL SCREEN OPTICAL PROPERTIES ON HEAT LOSSES AND MICROCLIMATE OF GREENHOUSES

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 174: Symposium Greenhouse Climate and its Control

INFLUENCE OF THERMAL SCREEN OPTICAL PROPERTIES ON HEAT LOSSES AND MICROCLIMATE OF GREENHOUSES

Authors:

A. Baille, F. Aries, M. Baille, J.C. Laury

Abstract:
A steady-state model for the nocturnal energy balance of a glasshouse equipped with thermal screens is presented. Results given by the model are compared with experimental measurements. The agreement is generally good, especially for global thermal losses. If higher accuracy is required, it seems necessary to take into account condensation phenomena and heating mode.

Simulations were performed with this model in order to study the influence of I.R. optical properties of the screen on heat losses and internal surface temperatures. Some results of practical importance have been obtained :

when a one-side aluminised screen is used, the highest loss reduction is obtained with the aluminised face directed upwards
canopy temperatures are higher under aluminised screens than under polypropylene or P.E. screen. For the last one, canopy temperatures are lower than without screen.

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