Abstrae~A thorough literature investigation into the use of phase change materials
for energy saving and management in greenhouses was carried out. The related studies
were classified in three most-used phase change material groups based on salt hydrates,
paraffins and polyethylene glycol. Each of the literature cited was represented here
with a "dry matter" 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 change materials per square
meter of greenhouse ground area were dissimilar in all of the studies. © 1998 Elsevier
Science Ltd.