A solar climate control system using a water film flow to conserve energy in greenhouses /

One of the greatest problems encountered in greenhouses and buildings with large glazing is control of the internal atmosphere. The inherent characteristic of these buildings to act as solar collectors is to be used effectively for collecting and storing the excess solar energy. A new type of glazed roof, a Solar Climate Control roof system, was designed as a means to cool the interior environment of the greenhouses during the daytime and to heat during the nighttime or on overcast days.A heat exchanger-storage system, using water as a thermal mass is included in the design of the Solar Climate Control system. A film of water flows on the inner surface of the roof and absorbs the direct solar heat radiation, acting then as a cooling agent. The energy absorbed may be reused for nighttime heating.An efficient water dispersion pipe for the Solar Climate Control system was developed. The use of a soap solution rather than water alone for the Solar Climate Control water film system permitted a significant reduction in pumping rate and improved uniformity of the film.A computer simulation model was run to determine the energy loads for both a conventional (double glazed roof) greenhouse and one equipped with the Solar Climate Control system. The Solar Climate Control system shows low operating cost and very good efficiency in heat removal