Abstract

The influence of container size and styrene lining on substrate temperature, and their relationship to ambient air temperature were evaluated. Maximum substrate temperatures adjacent to the west sidewall averaged 8C (14.4F) and 7C (12.6F) less in 2.7 liter (#1) and 10.3 liter (#3) containers with 2.6 mm (0.1 in) thick styrene, respectively, than in unlined containers during the summer. Maximum summer substrate temperatures in lined and unlined 10.3 liter (#3) containers were 4C (7.2F) and 5C (9F) lower, respectively, than in lined and unlined 2.7 liter (#1) containers. During diurnal periods of rapidly fluctuating winter temperatures, minimum substrate temperatures in 2.7 liter (#1) styrene-lined containers averaged 3C (5.4F) higher than in ones without styrene; styrene lining also reduced diurnal fluctuations in substrate temperatures in 2.7 liter (#1) and 10.3 liter (#3) containers by 11C (19.8F) and 7.5C (13.5), respectively, when compared to those in unlined containers. When ambient air temperature lacked wide fluctuations during winter diurnal cycles, extreme variations in substrate temperatures were not present. However, minimum substrate temperatures in styrene-lined 2.7 liter (#1) and 10.3 liter (#3) containers averaged over 2C (3.6F) and 3C (5.4F), respectively, higher than those in unlined containers.