Microclimate i simulation in a greenhouse used for roses production under conditions of intertropical climate

Abstract

In Colombia, roses (Rosa sp.) are mostly cultivated in naturally ventilated greenhouses. The objective of this work was to develop a characterization of the microclimate generated inside a greenhouse through the numerical modelling of air flows by using the CFD (Computational Fluids Dynamics) software of finite volumes. The CFD-3D model used was validated through experimental data collection and the results obtained from the comparison of experimental and simulated data, which showed a suitable degree of adjustment and the same tendency for the variables of temperature and relative humidity. The results obtained show that, for daytime conditions, the microclimate generated is in optimal ranges for the production of rose. For night-time climate conditions, presence of thermal inversion phenomenon in the indoor air of the greenhouse was observed, which generates suboptimal conditions for the growth and development of plants.