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Evaluation of heat-pipe solar collectors for heating a single-span greenhouse

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2018 ASABE Annual International Meeting  1800295.(doi:10.13031/aim.201800295)
Authors:   José Humberto López-Diaz, Efrén Fitz-Rodríguez, José Eduardo Rosales-Vicelis
Keywords:   Evacuated tube, sustainable energy, solar energy, radiant floor.

Abstract. Even though climate conditions in the central region of Mexico (temperate climate) are adequate for crop production in low-medium technology greenhouses, since daily-averages of air temperature are in the range of 11-18°C during all seasons, the minimum air temperatures could reach less than 5°C during winter and less than 10°C in summer. By improving night time condition, crops for year-round production could be established. To improve the climate conditions during night time in a 300 m2 single-span greenhouse located in the central part of Mexico, a solar heating system was established. This heating system consists of: 1) solar collectors with heat-pipe technology heating water during the day, 2) a 5000 L thermally insulated tank, 3) recirculating and distribution pumps and 4) a radiant floor consisting of hot water distribution polyethylene pipes buried at 10 cm depth. The result shows that the solar collector attains the maximum efficiency over 80% during 16:00 to 18:00h.

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