Development of three-dimensional visualisation technology of the aerodynamic environment in a greenhouse using CFD and VR technology, part 1: Development of VR a database using CFD

Abstract

This study attempted to develop a virtual reality (VR) simulator to educate greenhouse farmers and consultants. In this first of two papers, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was used to analyse the aerodynamic environment inside the greenhouse for growing the tomato crop. Representative aerodynamic problems that can occur in winter and summer seasons inside greenhouses in Korea were derived through a field survey and literature review. The cases examined for CFD simulation were based on a high-rise three-span 1–2 W type greenhouse. Moreover, the CFD model was validated using the measured air temperature and wind speed in actual greenhouses. Then, the analysis of the aerodynamic environment inside a 1–2 W type greenhouse for growing the tomato crop was performed according to various environmental conditions using the validated CFD model. During the winter, the CFD-computed results revealed that the installation of a thermal curtain was essential to prevent heat loss. Heating efficiency was analysed when a duct was connected to the outlet of the heater. From the simulations, air temperature could be properly maintained when the interval between duct perforations was less than a ratio of 1.1 with a perforation angle of 45°. In the summer, both side and roof vents should be fully opened to maintain the maximum ventilation rate. Furthermore, the installation of a shading screen to prevent the increase of air temperature due to high solar radiation is recommended.