• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2015

This study calculated the overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of greenhouse covering materials with thermal screens using a simulation model and then estimated the validity of the calculated results by comparison with measured values. The U-value decreased gradually as the thickness of the air space between the double glazing increased, and then remained essentially constant at thicknesses exceeding 25 mm. The U-value also increased with the difference in temperature between the inside and outside of the hot box. The vigorous convective heat transfer between two plastic films caused unsteady heat flow and then created a nonlinear temperature distribution in the air space. The distance did not affect the U-value at distances of 50~200 mm between the plastic covering and thermal curtain. The numerical calculation results, with and without sky radiation, were in accord with the experimental results for a $30^{\circ}C$ temperature difference between the inside and outside of the hot box. In conclusion, a reliable U-value can be calculated for a temperature difference of $30^{\circ}C$ or more between the inside and outside of the hot box.