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Multi-Span Greenhouse Energy Saving by External Insulation: System Design and Implementation

Author

Listed:
  • Wenfei Guan

    (School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
    Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Wenzhong Guo

    (School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
    Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Fan Chen

    (Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China)

  • Xiaobei Han

    (School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
    Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Haiguang Wang

    (Shouguang Agricultural Development Group Co., Ltd., Weifang 262700, China)

  • Weituo Sun

    (Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Qian Zhao

    (Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Dongdong Jia

    (Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Xiaoming Wei

    (Research Center of Intelligent Equipment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Qingzhen Zhu

    (School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

Abstract

To address the issues of excessive heat loss from the roofs of multi-span greenhouses and high energy consumption for heating during winter production, we propose an approach for the external insulation of the roof of multi-span glass greenhouses and have developed an external insulation system (EIS) to practice this approach. The system achieved full coverage of the greenhouse roof through mechanized unfurling and furling of external thermal blankets, thereby achieving energy-saving insulation. This paper describes the overall design and working method of the EIS, providing detailed design and structural parameters for critical components such as the traction rope transmission mechanism and the rail-type sealing structure. Through a system verification experiment, the specifications of the traction rope were determined and the rationality of the EIS’s thermal blanket unfurling and furling time was confirmed. An insulation performance experiment indicated that the average heat flux of the greenhouse roof covered with the external thermal blanket over 14 continuous nights was 54.2 W/m 2 , compared with 198.6 W/m 2 for a single-layer glass roof. Covering the roof with the external thermal blanket reduced heat loss from the glass roof by 72.7%. The average heat flux of the roof of the Venlo-type multi-span greenhouse with double-layer internal insulation was 99.9 W/m 2 during the same period, indicating that the heat loss from the roof using external insulation was only 50.3%. This study provides a novel thermal insulation approach and an energy-saving system for multi-span greenhouses.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenfei Guan & Wenzhong Guo & Fan Chen & Xiaobei Han & Haiguang Wang & Weituo Sun & Qian Zhao & Dongdong Jia & Xiaoming Wei & Qingzhen Zhu, 2024. "Multi-Span Greenhouse Energy Saving by External Insulation: System Design and Implementation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:2:p:281-:d:1336218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. van Beveren, P.J.M. & Bontsema, J. & van Straten, G. & van Henten, E.J., 2015. "Optimal control of greenhouse climate using minimal energy and grower defined bounds," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 509-519.
    2. Hyung-Kweon Kim & Geum-Choon Kang & Jong-Pil Moon & Tae-Seok Lee & Sung-Sik Oh, 2018. "Estimation of Thermal Performance and Heat Loss in Plastic Greenhouses with and without Thermal Curtains," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Anifantis, Alexandros Sotirios & Colantoni, Andrea & Pascuzzi, Simone, 2017. "Thermal energy assessment of a small scale photovoltaic, hydrogen and geothermal stand-alone system for greenhouse heating," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 115-127.
    4. Sun, Weituo & Wei, Xiaoming & Zhou, Baochang & Lu, Chungui & Guo, Wenzhong, 2022. "Greenhouse heating by energy transfer between greenhouses: System design and implementation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    5. Van Beveren, P.J.M. & Bontsema, J. & Van Straten, G. & Van Henten, E.J., 2015. "Minimal heating and cooling in a modern rose greenhouse," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 97-109.
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