Numerical simulation of detailed airflow distribution in newly developed photosynthesis chamber

Abstract

Predictive numerical simulation of airflow uniformity in canopy plants could provide a suitable environment for plant growth. A numerical investigation of airflow in a photosynthesis chamber was conducted using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. This research-validated the numerical model with measurements performed in a bare bottom open chamber. The chamber has bottom openings with three exhaust fans on the roof. After model validation, airflow patterns and their uniformity were evaluated in different fan arrangements and doubled air volume rates. The obtained results showed that a more uniform airflow distribution was observed with increasing the fan's air volume rate (0.0187, 0.0172, and 0.0177 m3s−1), particularly fan in the middle position and diagonally position inside the plant with coefficients of variation of 14.36%, 9.3% and 10%, respectively. Moreover, increasing the fan's air volume rate and moving the fan positions to the middle and diagonally can significantly help produce uniform air velocity distribution inside the plant.