Rutgers system for solar heating of commercial greenhouses

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6551132

Mears, D R; Kendall, P W; Roberts, W J; Cipolletti, J P; Simpkins, J C; Janes, H W

Research on solar heating of greenhouses has focused on the development of low initial-cost systems utilizing materials and construction techniques currently available in the greenhouse industry. The system is based upon a flooded subfloor storage which is unobtrusive and enables the entire floor to serve as the primary heat exchange area. With a massive storage and large heat exchange capacity the solar system can operate effectively at relatively low temperatures enabling low-cost plastic film solar collectors to be effectively utilized. Also, warming the floor of a greenhouse has been found to have a beneficial effect on the plants and allows air temperatures to be significantly reduced for many important crops. Movable curtain insulation systems are used to reduce nighttime heat loss. A number of research greenhouses have been tested over the past 5 years and a 0.54 hectare commercial demonstration is in its third year of operation.

• Research Organization: Rutgers-the State Univ., New Brunswick, NJ
• OSTI ID: 6551132
• Report Number(s): CONF-800604-P2
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 3.1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
BUILDINGS
DESIGN
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLOORS
GLAZING MATERIALS
GREENHOUSES
HEAT STORAGE
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
MASS
MATERIALS
PERFORMANCE
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SPACE HEATING
STORAGE
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMAL MASS