An experimental investigation of green wall bio-filter towards air temperature and humidity variation

Green walls show promise in providing thermal comfort. Their benefits include the reduction of the temperature of air layers around them. They are classified as passive and active systems. Active systems are designed with ventilators that force air through the substrate and plant rooting system of the green wall. With a passive system, air is simply diffused through the green wall substrate and the plant foliage. The current work investigates the effect of green walls on the air temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity are measured at different locations inside an acrylic chamber where different modules with different plant species are placed. The effect of changing the surrounding ambient conditions is also investigated. Experiments lasted at least 24 h to cover day and night time conditions. For the active modules, lower temperatures in the range of 1-3 degrees C, along with increased humidity levels have been observed when modules are saturated wet. Passive modules have also provided lower temperatures in the range of 0.5-2 degrees C. None of the plant species studied showed any preference, indicating that the moisture content of the substrate plays the major role affecting the temperature and humidity variations.

Automated summary

Green walls have the potential to provide thermal comfort through passive and active systems. Active modules show a temperature decrease of 1-3 degrees Celsius when saturated wet, while passive modules provide a cooling effect of 0.5-2 degrees Celsius. The plant species studied did not show any preference, indicating that substrate moisture content plays the major role in affecting temperature and humidity variations.