Numerical Investigation of the Impact of Crops on the Greenhouse Environment

The need to lower manufacturing expenses and reduce energy usage is becoming more important as the world’s population grows and finite resources become scarcer. In this context, greenhouses emerge as indispensable enclosed structures capable of providing an ideal climate for year-round agricultural production. This work presents an extensive investigation into the impact of crops on the greenhouse environment. To achieve this, we have implemented a comprehensive experimental setup, complemented by the development of multiple numerical models with ANSYS FLUENT 17.0. The outcomes derived from these numerical models confirm the direct influence that crops exert on indoor temperatures. Notably, below the crops, in the absence of crops, the temperature exhibits a significant elevation compared to scenarios where crops are present, with the temperature differential reaching approximately 5 K. This research emphasizes the crucial function of crops in regulating and optimizing greenhouse temperature conditions, a factor of utmost significance in the pursuit of sustainable and effective agricultural techniques.