스마트팜 적용 컨테이너 내 CO2 공급 및 환기팬 배치에 따른 유동 패턴 및 농도분포 CFD 해석

Abstract

The problem of climate change due to global warming is negatively affecting the production and quality of crops. Container farms can be an alternative to solving the problem of growing crops due to the climate change. Therefore, a numerical study was preformed for the vertical container farm as the carbon dioxide utilization (CCU) technology. CFD numerical analysis was performed on the internal fluid flow pattern and concentration distribution related to the supply of carbon dioxide and air ventilation to the inside of the container. In addition, a parametric study was conducted for each variable on the change in the concentration of the CO₂ injector and the velocity change of the air fan. The case of where the CO₂ injector is located at the upper inlet, the air fan is located at the bottom, and the exhaust fan is located at the upper part of the outlet, was best situation for the CO₂ distribution. In this case, the CO₂ concentration in the container was 500-800 ppm which is good condition for tomatoes, melons, and strawberries. In addition, when the CO₂ concentration of the CO₂ injector is reduced, the concentration in the container is lowered, so it is not suitable for growing crops that require a lot of high CO₂. When the velocity of the air fan was reduced, the CO₂ concentration was too high due to ventilation and mixing problems which is expected a problem in crop cultivation. The results should be well known that in order to maintain a uniform CO₂ concentration in a container, the container size and internal shelf arrangement, as well as the arrangement and conditions of the CO₂ injector, air fan, and exhaust fan, are very important factors.