Numerical Simulation and Measurement of Air Temperature and Relative Humidity in an Olive Cuttings Tunnel Greenhouse

Abstract

Understanding the environment of olive tree cuttings is a key factor in improving these plants’ rooting rate and survival. This study aims to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for numerically assessing air temperature and relative humidity in an olive cuttings greenhouse under Mediterranean climatic conditions. The results are deduced from a steady-state simulation performed with recorded boundary conditions at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 02:00 pm, 04:00 pm, and 06:00 pm at different observation points. The calculations were validated using experimental data. The simulation errors of the air temperature were −0.8˚C to 4.55˚C, and errors of the leaf temperature were 0.07˚C to 2.42˚C, for the air relative humidity was −33.84% to −1.64%, and −10.1% to −13.54% for the relative humidity of the leaf air. Contour maps were obtained from the 3-D CFD simulations to evaluate the distribution of humidity and air temperature inside the greenhouse and the vicinity of the plant canopy. This study suggests that the developed 3-D CFD model can be a helpful tool to understand and optimize green- house operation for better crop quality.