Investigation on the effect of phase changing materials on the thermal performance of a greenhouse using the finite volume method

The canopy wall in the greenhouse is modelled as windows in the builidng simulation software, so as to avoid using the concept of overall heat transfer coefficient between inside greenhouse air and outside atmosphere air in the traditional greenhouse modelling.  In this greenhouse modelling software based on building simulation software, phase changing materials are considered as internal walls in the greenhouse, and the ground is modelled by 20 layers of soil.  In this preliminary study, sensitivity of the ground surface solar absorption coefficient, ventilation, and geometry of the phase changing materials to the thermal performance of the greenhouse are investigated.