Performance Evaluation of Greenhouse having Passive or Active Heating in Different Climatic Zones of India

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the performance of different shapes of greenhouses having equal floor area as well as the central height. A numerical analysis has been carried out using Matlab and Borland C++ corresponding to the climatic conditions of five different climatic zones of India, represented by New Delhi (28.50 latitude), Kolkata (22.50 latitude), Jodhpur (26.30 latitude), Chennai (13.00 latitude) and Srinagar (34.50 latitude). The plant, room air and water temperature have been evaluated with solar collector. Numerical computations have been carried out for a typical winter day of different climatic zones of India. A total of three types of greenhouse (even span, uneven span and modified IARI) with the same cross-section (6 m×4 m×3 m), were selected and thermal load leveling for different climatic zones were calculated. Greenhouse with combination of phase change material (PCM) and insulation as a north wall is also evaluated for cold climatic zone of Srinagar for thermal heating. Based on the analysis it is inferred that uneven span greenhouse is most suitable from heating point of view.