Regulated transparent insulation for greenhouse covers through the use of tailor-made bimodal nanoparticle formations

Abstract

The controlled environment includes the greenhouse and its environmental control systems that are implemented to obtain the desired climate in order to produce a quality crop within a predictable and repeatable time schedule. Energy consumption for heating and cooling is the primary cost component in greenhouse operation. Heat losses due to both, conduction/convection through and radiation from the covers of the greenhouse represent the main causes of the unacceptably high energy consumption in today's greenhouses. The poor insulating properties of the materials presently used result in heat losses which may reach 50% of the overall energy consumption during the greenhouse operation. Also, most places have a summer climate that requires greenhouse cooling. Today, industry and environment requirements are always asking for better performing materials. For all the above reasons, a new polymer nanocomposite sheet cover has been developed through the use of uniform dispersions of highly porous granulated nanoparticles. In this work, the energy requirements of a greenhouse covered by a nanocomposite film were evaluated and the results revealed that it offers improved thermal and optic qualities.