Modelling of soil temperature by using Phase Change Material (PCM) to regulate the plant growing media temperature

Abstract

The temperature control of the agricultural greenhouse is important issue and to sudden temperature, changes during the growing plants are one of the problems that need to be controlled. Temperature control can be achieved in greenhouses established with the novel technological systems, but these systems are expensive systems that requires technical knowledge and infrastructure. In this study, a seasonal thermal energy storage using Phase Change Material (PCM) composite material investigated to regulate day time soil temperature in the greenhouse. The overall purpose of the research was to identify the mechanisms of heat transfer in soil covered by phase change materials. The PCM was encapsulated in to expanded perlite and soil temperature with and without using the PCM were compared. By using the experimental data, a mathematical model that can simulate the temperature of the soil in the greenhouse was developed According to the results, the research included experimental works as well as theoretical analysis.