Computational Fluid Dynamics Achievements Applied to Optimal Crop Production in a Greenhouse

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics has been successfully used in protected agriculture to simulate greenhouse weather as physical processes. The variables involved are veloci‐ ty, wind direction related to either absolute or relative humidity, temperature as well as deficit vapor pressure, and carbon dioxide, among others. The research evolution is changing from the traditional validation of new designs and management to testing efficient production with less environmental pollution. This work points out this kind of assessment based on the physical principles of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Constitutive relationships like Darcy-Forchheimer porosity model in the momentum equation as well as the geometry and physical properties of the materials involved are needed to fulfill the particular solutions of temperature, wind, and hu‐ midity. This chapter is enhanced by the effect of solar radiation in more processes like crop transpiration with dynamical meshes and condensation.