Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the energy saving effects and characteristics of plant growth in a greenhouse with an aluminum multi-layer curtain compared to a greenhouse with non-woven fabric. Method: The dimensions of both greenhouses $43m{\times}3.6m{\times}8m(L{\times}H{\times}W)$, and both used hot air heater systems for maintaining a constant temperature $15^{\circ}C$. Heating characteristics such as solar intensity, inside and ambient temperatures, and fuel consumption were measured and analyzed. Results: The changes of average temperature of both greenhouses during a 15-days (December 06 - 20) showed approximately $26^{\circ}C$ at around 2 pm when the ambient temperature was highest. The greenhouses were set by the heater to keep a temperature of $15^{\circ}C$ from 4 pm to 8 am the following day. The average heat loss (for 15 days) from the greenhouse with an aluminum multi-layer curtain was $161.2-268.4kJ/m^2{\cdot}h$ during the daytime and $152.3-198.1kJ/m^2{\cdot}h$ during the nighttime. The average heat loss (for 15 days) from the greenhouse with non-woven fabric was $155.7-258.9kJ/m^2{\cdot}h$ during the daytime and $144.9-207.0kJ/m^2{\cdot}h$ during the nighttime. The total heat loss (for one day) from the non-woven fabric system was $7,960kJ/m^2$($2,876kJ/m^2$ during the daytime, $5,084kJ/m^2$ during the nighttime). The heat supply over 36 days for the non-woven fabric system was higher than the aluminum multi-layer curtain system by $616.3-65,079.4kJ/m^2$. Conclusions: These results suggest that a greenhouse with an aluminum multi-layer curtain could save energy usage by 35% over a greenhouse with non-woven fabric.
