Design
- The technical reasons to use Timfog’s buffer tanks (also known as thermal storage tanks) are centered on improving the energy efficiency, operational flexibility, and system longevity of a large-scale greenhouse heating plant.
The tank acts as a thermal battery, decoupling the heat production from the heat consumption.
Key Technical Function | Impact on Greenhouse Operation |
Enabling CO2 Enrichment | Maximizes Yield and Heat Use: Photosynthesis requires CO2 during the day, even when the greenhouse does not need heating. The buffer tank allows the boiler (the CO2 source) to fire efficiently during the day to generate CO2, storing the excess heat for later use (e.g., at night). |
Reducing Short Cycling (Boiler Protection) | The tank adds significant water volume (thermal mass) to the heating system. This prevents the high-capacity boilers (Crone/Erensan) and burners (Thermeta) from frequently turning on and off during low or fluctuating heat demand. |
Load Management and Stability | The stored hot water can be drawn upon instantly to meet sudden, high heat demands (e.g., rapid temperature drop at sunset). |
Optimizing Energy Source Use | It allows the greenhouse to generate heat when the energy source is cheapest or most available (e.g., firing a CHP unit or biomass boiler at full, continuous capacity) and then storing that heat until it is required. |
