Thermal modellina of a greenhouse having a north wall using periodic analysis and its experimental validation

SYNOPSIS A mathematical model based on solar fraction has been developed to study the periodic heat transfer through the north wall of an east-west oriented greenhouse. Using the model, the rate of heat transfer through the north wall has been determined considering three different materials (brick, concrete and mud) and four different thicknesses (8 cm, 11 cm, 23 cm and 45 cm) of the north wall. The same model has been used for the greenhouse without a north wall. Greenhouse air temperature has been predicted with and without a north wall. For a typical day in January for Delhi climatic conditions, there is difference of about 5°C in room temperature with and without a north wall. The effect of plant mass on room temperature has also been studied. The model has been validated with the experimental results.