INVESTIGATION OF THE DIFFERENT METHODS FOR HEAT STORAGE AS PART OF A NOVEL SUSTAINABLE GREENHOUSE APPROACH

Abstract

This thesis investigates two heat storage methods to be used as a part of a greenhouse system that aims to achieve water desalination and climate control inside the greenhouse enclosure. The first method tested is the utilization of the greenhouse ground as a heat storage medium, in the course of this work two typical Egyptian soils, clay and sand based, were investigated using different pipe materials as heat transfer mediums. While the second method is an experimental study to use a phase change material which is sodium carbonate hydrated salt after stabilization with charcoal particles to prevent salt precipitation. The obtained study results showed that although the sand based soil stored a larger amount of heat than the clay based soil, it was still not enough for the targeted greenhouse application. And the phase change material mixture showed signs of salt sedimentation with repeated heating and cooling.