Optimization of Cooling Load for Different Greenhouse Models in Malaysia

Abstract

In this paper, the building energy analysis program (DOE-2.1E) is used to investigate the reduction in thermal gains and cooling load for agricultural greenhouse. The greenhouse  located in Kuala Lumpur (latitude =3.12^o and longitude = -101.60^o) and designed with a modified arch roof type with a length of  6 m, width of 3 m, gutter and gable heights of 2.4 m and 0.6 m, respectively. Three models such as:  (1) an internal, movable 50% shade screen mounted directly above the floor, with a span of 3 m from gutter to gutter; (2) a double envelope roof that is elevated 0.6 m from the ceiling; and (3) an internal, movable shade screen with a double envelope roof have been selected for comparison with the original greenhouse. The comparison is based on thermal gains and cooling load. The results showed that the internal, movable 50% shade screen was found to be the most effective in reducing maximum cooling load requirement (at 14.89%); the double envelope roof models with and without shading reduced maximum cooling load by 10.11 % and 9.39 %, respectively.