Abstract
In order to examine the heat transfer characteristic of a soil warming system and effects of soil warming on the greenhouse heating load, control experiments were performed in two greenhouses covered with double polyethylene film. One treated the soil warming with an electric heat wire and the other treated a control. Inside and outside air temperature, soil temperature and heat flux, and heating energy consumption were measured under the set point of heating temperature of $5,\;10,\;15,\;and\;20^{\circ}C$, respectively. Soil temperatures in a soil warming treatment were observed $4.1\;to\;4.9^{\circ}C$ higher than a control. Heating energy consumptions decreased by 14.6 to 30.8% in a soil warming treatment. As the set point of heating temperature became lower, the rate of decrease in the heating energy consumptions increased. The percentage of soil heat flux in total heating load was -49.4 to 24.4% and as the set point of heating temperature became higher, the percentage increased. When the set point of heating temperature was low in a soil warming treatment, the soil heat flux load was minus value and it had an effect on reducing the heating load. Soil heat flux loads showed in proportion to the air temperature difference between the inside and outside of greenhouse but they showed big difference according to the soil warming treatment. So new model for estimation of the soil heat flux load should be introduced. Convective heat transfer coefficients were in proportion to the 1/3 power of temperature difference between the soil surface and the inside air. They were $3.41\;to\;12.42\;W/m^{2}^{\circ}C$ in their temperature difference of $0\;to\;10^{\circ}C$. Radiative heat loss from soil surface in greenhouse was about 66 to 130% of total heating load. To cut the radiation loss by the use of thermal curtains must be able to contribute for the energy saving in greenhouse.
