Algorithm of heating temperature for Chongqing's winter greenhouses

Internal temperature is crucial to plant growth in the greenhouse. We investigated the patterns of constructing and managing greenhouses in Chongqing, and developed an algorithm of heating temperature for closed winter plastic greenhouses under the conditions of no man-made illumination, no ventilation and hot wind machine as the heating equipment, which are the most adopted pattern of greenhouses in Chongqing area. The algorithm includes two functions of temperature outside the greenhouse, which calculate the values of the warming estimation coefficient (WEC) and the gap between temperatures inside and outside the greenhouse with the measured data of outside temperature, and then give the value of internal temperature; the heat rating of heating facilities required by a greenhouse can be determined by this algorithm with given values of floor area and internal temperature, measured outside temperature and calculated WEC. Verification of the algorithm demonstrates a desirable accuracy of estimation. Algorithms of computing heating temperature for greenhouses of different constructing and managing patterns and in different geographic conditions can also be derived in a similar way. This research presents a paradigm for developing a feasible method to fit out greenhouses with appropriate heating facilities, aiming at energy efficient and cost efficient production.