CFD Investigation on Key Design Parameters of a Hoop-Type Greenhouse

Authors

  • Larz Johnston School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Campus. Queensland 4670, Australia
  • Ramadas Narayanan School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Campus. Queensland 4670, Australia
  • Mohan Reddy Moola Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Sarawak, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37934/cfdl.15.1.5966

Keywords:

Greenhouse, CFD, Design, micro-climate

Abstract

Many blueberry farmers use an open-sided hoop-type greenhouse to enhance agricultural output. A common problem in multi-span greenhouses is the loss of ventilation that scales with the increase in span number. This paper examines the effects of reducing the greenhouse height and adding covers to the formerly open sides in a two-span greenhouse to understand better flow characteristics that may contribute to energy loss. It concludes that lowered height can create a more even temperature distribution, while side covers make the flow direction more predictable but decrease flow speed and increase internal temperature. This paper recommends adding side covers with controllable height to the greenhouse to increase the temperature during cooler periods of the day.

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Author Biographies

Larz Johnston, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Campus. Queensland 4670, Australia

larz.johnston@cqumail.com

Ramadas Narayanan, School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Campus. Queensland 4670, Australia

r.narayanan@cqu.edu.au

Mohan Reddy Moola, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Sarawak, Malaysia

mohan.m@curtin.edu.my

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Published

2023-01-13

How to Cite

Larz Johnston, Ramadas Narayanan, & Mohan Reddy Moola. (2023). CFD Investigation on Key Design Parameters of a Hoop-Type Greenhouse. CFD Letters, 15(1), 59–66. https://doi.org/10.37934/cfdl.15.1.5966

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Section

Articles