ENERGY-STORAGE APPLICATIONS IN GREENHOUSES BY MEANS OF PHASE-CHANGE MATERIALS (PCMS) - A REVIEW

A thorough literature investigation into the use of phase change mater ials for energy saving and management in greenhouses was carried out. The related studies were classified in three most-used phase change ma terial groups based on salt hydrates, paraffins and polyethylene glyco l. Each of the literature cited was represented here with a ''dry matt er'' approach, in other words the most useful parts to the scientists working on the subject were summarised. Such an investigation revealed that the types of heat exchangers, stores and the amounts of phase ch ange materials per square meter of greenhouse ground area were dissimi lar in all of the studies. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.