EFFECT OF NATURAL VENTILATION ON GREENHOUSE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE.

The paper presents the effect of natural ventilation on the interior air temperature of a vegetable greenhouse located in Muntenia, Romania. Energy balance equation is applied for the greenhouse in order to determine the interior air temperature without adding any exterior heating or cooling load. The solar irradiance received by the greenhouse is estimated based on isotropic sky analysis models in clear sky conditions. Interior air temperature profile is numerically simulated all along a day, in winter and in summer. In order to maintain a constant optimum interior air temperature during vegetation, heating and respectively cooling loads are consumed. In order to diminish the cooling load, natural ventilation is generally applied. Different dimensions of the ventilation window are considered. A daily profile for optimum opening is proposed in order to maintain the interior air temperature as close as possible to the set value and thus to minimize the cooling load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]