Abstract
Dimensions, operation conditions and improvement items for round roof windows were investigated in arch shape single-span plastic greenhouse with roof vents, and natural ventilation performance was analyzed based on the ventilation theory. Diameter of round roof windows was mostly 60 cm, and chimney height projected on roof was average 30 cm. Installation space was mostly 5 to 6 m but farmhouse of 10 m and over was 16.7% also. A round roof window which has 60 cm diameter was installed to 6 m space generally and 80 cm diameter was installed to 10 m space, but correct standards did not exist. There were a lot of opinions that ventilation effect of round roof windows is fairly good and user satisfaction is generally excellent. It is problem that there is few effects in summer and that vinyl around each vent tears well and rainwater leaks, and improvement hope item required development of automatic control system. In the wind speed of 0.3 m/s, it was estimated that natural ventilation rates were 0.69, 0.55, 0.50 and 0.48 volumes per minute in case of 2, 4, 6 and 8 m installation space for round roof windows, respectively. It was analyzed that the ratio of ventilation due to buoyancy out of total ventilation were 65.2, 41.9, 29.9 and 22.8% in case of 2, 4, 6 and 8m installation space, respectively. By the round roof windows installed at space of 6 m, ventilation rate was estimated to 0.5 volumes per minute, and we can expect the increase in ventilation rate of 30%. In order to meet the recommended ventilation rate for summer season, we have to install the round roof windows at space of 1 to 2 m. However, it is difficult to apply those installation space because of falling productivity due to lower light transmittance as well as rising costs. It is estimated that the installation space of 6m is appropriate for spring or fall season. Therefore it is necessary to encourage installing the roof windows in single-span plastic greenhouses.
