ISHS Acta Horticulturae 115: Symposium on More Profitable Use of Energy in Protected Cultivation
FLOOR HEATING OF GREENHOUSES |
| Authors: | W.J. Roberts, D.R. Mears, M.F. James |
| Abstract:
The flooded floor system developed for solar heating of greenhouses has provided a convenient system for warming the soil for many greenhouse crops. An alternative system utilizing plastic pipes on 0.3 meter spacing covered with 7 cm of porous concrete has been developed and is being utilized commercially. This system transfers heat to the greenhouse aerial environment at about two-thirds the rate of the flooded floor system. When potted plants are set on the floor, there is a significant contribution to the greenhouse heat requirement. Warm water can be provided by fossil-fuel-fired boilers, solar collectors or waste heat sources. Research results on varied pipe spacings are presented and the performance of commercial installations is discussed. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
