Evaluation of ventilation performance and energy efficiency of greenhouse fans
Keywords:
greenhouse, fan performance, airflow rate, power consumption, efficiency ratioAbstract
In order to investigate fan performance in fan-ventilated greenhouses (Urbana, USA), the effects of guard screen and loose belts on fan ventilation airflow and power consumption in greenhouse operations were examined with four belt-driven fans as trial subjects. The Fans Assessment Numeration System was used to measure the airflow rate. Temperature, relative humidity and power consumption were also monitored. Results show there were significant differences in the airflow rate between the fans with a cleaned and uncleaned guard screen [P is less than 0.05]. Power consumption also differed significantly even with the same cooling effect in greenhouse. When fan belts were adjusted to the proper tension, the fan speed and airflow rate were 13.1% and 30.1% higher than those of original belts, respectively. The daily average power consumption for the fan with the original loose belts was 20.4% higher than that with the adjusted belts when the pad was not working and 24.2% higher with pad working. The ventilation performance of fans with identical specifications showed a variation by up to 13.0% in terms of the ventilating efficiency ratio. These results demonstrated that fans should be cleaned routinely, and belt tension should be checked to ensure that fan performance meets specifications. This can reduce the power consumption in greenhouses for environmental control. Moreover, reordering fan staging, so that the most efficient fans are used in areas of greatest demand, can also reduce ventilation energy costs. DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20150801.014 Citation: Zhang Z, Gates R S, Zou Z R, Hu X H. Evaluation of ventilation performance and energy efficiency of greenhouse fans. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(1): 103-110.References
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[2] Yang S H, Rhee J Y. Utilization and performance evaluation of a surplus air heat pump system for greenhouse cooling and heating. Applied Energy, 2013; 105: 244–251.
[3] Lopez A, Valera D L, Molina-Aiz F D, Peña Araceli. Sonic anemometry to evaluate airflow characteristics and temperature distribution in empty Mediterranean greenhouses equipped with pad-fan and fog systems. Biosystems Engineering, 2012; 113(4): 334–350.
[4] Al-Helal I, Al-Abbadi N, Al-Ibrahim A. A study of fan-pad performance for a photovoltaic powered greenhouse in Saudi Arabian summer. International Agricultural Engineering Journal, 2004; 13(4): 113–124.
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[6] Zhao Y, Shen J Y, Teitel M. Experiment on microclimate in the greenhouses by fan and pad. Transactions of the CS AM, 2008; 39(8): 109–113. (in Chinese with English abstract).
[7] Person H L, Jacobson L D, Jordan K A. Effect of dirt, louvers and other attachments on fan performance. Transactions of the ASAE, 1979; 22(3): 612–616.
[8] Simmons J D, Hannigan T E, Lott B D. Reduction in poultry ventilation fan output due to shutters. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 1997; 13(5): 671–673.
[9] Janni K A, Jacobson L D, Nicolai R E, Hetchler B, Johnson V J. Airflow reduction of large belt-driven exhaust ventilation fans with shutters and loose belts. St. Joseph, Michigan: Proceedings of the 7th International Livestock Environment Symposium, 2005; 245–251.
[10] Bottcher R W, Baughman G R, Magura J T. Field measurements of fan speed and power use in poultry houses. The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 1996; 5(1): 56–62.
[11] Morello G M. Influence of fan operation on Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS) test results. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2011.
[12] Gates R S, Casey K D, Xin H, Wheeler E F, Simmons J D. Fan assessment numeration system (FANS) design and calibration specifications. Transactions of the ASAE, 2004; 47(5): 1709–1715.
[13] Calvet S, Cambra-Lo´pez M, Blanes-Vidal V, Estellés F, Torres A G. Ventilation rates in mechanically-ventilated commercial poultry buildings in Southern Europe: Measurement system development and uncertainty analysis. Biosystems Engineering, 2010; 106(4): 423–432.
[14] Hoff S J, Bundy D S, Nelson M A, Zelle B C, Jacobson L D, Heber A J, et al. Real-time airflow rate measurements from mechanically ventilated animal buildings. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2009; 59(6): 683–694.
[15] Sama M P, Gates R S, Adams W C, Day G B, King C L. Adams. Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS) Scaling and Upgrades, 2008 ASABE Annual Meeting, Paper Number 084723.
[16] Gates R S, Casey K D, Xin H, Burns R T. Building emissions uncertainty estimates. Transactions of the ASABE, 2009; 52(4): 1345–1351.
[17] Lopes I M. Evaluation of transitions for testing agricultural ventilation fans with the Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS). Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2012.
[18] Zhao Y, Teitel M. An Experimental Study on Energy Saving in the Greenhouse by VAV Based on VFD. Transactions of the CSAM, 2006; 37(5): 106–109. (in Chinese with English abstract).
[19] Czarick M. The Best Performing Tunnel Fans-2005. Poultry Housing Tip, 2006; 18(5): 1–4.
[2] Yang S H, Rhee J Y. Utilization and performance evaluation of a surplus air heat pump system for greenhouse cooling and heating. Applied Energy, 2013; 105: 244–251.
[3] Lopez A, Valera D L, Molina-Aiz F D, Peña Araceli. Sonic anemometry to evaluate airflow characteristics and temperature distribution in empty Mediterranean greenhouses equipped with pad-fan and fog systems. Biosystems Engineering, 2012; 113(4): 334–350.
[4] Al-Helal I, Al-Abbadi N, Al-Ibrahim A. A study of fan-pad performance for a photovoltaic powered greenhouse in Saudi Arabian summer. International Agricultural Engineering Journal, 2004; 13(4): 113–124.
[5] Kumar K S, Jha M K, Tiwari K N, Singh A. Modeling and evaluation of greenhouse for floriculture in subtropics. Energy and Buildings, 2010; 42(7): 1075–1083.
[6] Zhao Y, Shen J Y, Teitel M. Experiment on microclimate in the greenhouses by fan and pad. Transactions of the CS AM, 2008; 39(8): 109–113. (in Chinese with English abstract).
[7] Person H L, Jacobson L D, Jordan K A. Effect of dirt, louvers and other attachments on fan performance. Transactions of the ASAE, 1979; 22(3): 612–616.
[8] Simmons J D, Hannigan T E, Lott B D. Reduction in poultry ventilation fan output due to shutters. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 1997; 13(5): 671–673.
[9] Janni K A, Jacobson L D, Nicolai R E, Hetchler B, Johnson V J. Airflow reduction of large belt-driven exhaust ventilation fans with shutters and loose belts. St. Joseph, Michigan: Proceedings of the 7th International Livestock Environment Symposium, 2005; 245–251.
[10] Bottcher R W, Baughman G R, Magura J T. Field measurements of fan speed and power use in poultry houses. The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 1996; 5(1): 56–62.
[11] Morello G M. Influence of fan operation on Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS) test results. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2011.
[12] Gates R S, Casey K D, Xin H, Wheeler E F, Simmons J D. Fan assessment numeration system (FANS) design and calibration specifications. Transactions of the ASAE, 2004; 47(5): 1709–1715.
[13] Calvet S, Cambra-Lo´pez M, Blanes-Vidal V, Estellés F, Torres A G. Ventilation rates in mechanically-ventilated commercial poultry buildings in Southern Europe: Measurement system development and uncertainty analysis. Biosystems Engineering, 2010; 106(4): 423–432.
[14] Hoff S J, Bundy D S, Nelson M A, Zelle B C, Jacobson L D, Heber A J, et al. Real-time airflow rate measurements from mechanically ventilated animal buildings. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2009; 59(6): 683–694.
[15] Sama M P, Gates R S, Adams W C, Day G B, King C L. Adams. Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS) Scaling and Upgrades, 2008 ASABE Annual Meeting, Paper Number 084723.
[16] Gates R S, Casey K D, Xin H, Burns R T. Building emissions uncertainty estimates. Transactions of the ASABE, 2009; 52(4): 1345–1351.
[17] Lopes I M. Evaluation of transitions for testing agricultural ventilation fans with the Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS). Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2012.
[18] Zhao Y, Teitel M. An Experimental Study on Energy Saving in the Greenhouse by VAV Based on VFD. Transactions of the CSAM, 2006; 37(5): 106–109. (in Chinese with English abstract).
[19] Czarick M. The Best Performing Tunnel Fans-2005. Poultry Housing Tip, 2006; 18(5): 1–4.
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Published
2015-02-28
How to Cite
Zhi, Z., Gates, R. S., Zhirong, Z., & Xiaohui, H. (2015). Evaluation of ventilation performance and energy efficiency of greenhouse fans. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 8(1), 103–110. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/1406
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Structures and Bio-environmental Engineering
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