Increasing the height and multiplying the number of spans of greenhouse: how far can we go?

Research on the Microclimate of Protected Agriculture Structures Using Numerical Simulation Tools: A Technical and Bibliometric Analysis as a Contribution to the Sustainability of Under-Cover Cropping in Tropical and Subtropical Countries

“…In the case of the hinged opening, the best arrangement is on the windward side, since they allow generating a higher air renewal rate, but their cooling efficiency is also discussed, since it is a configuration that generates greater climatic heterogeneity [111]. However, it is also important to note that each greenhouse structure must be evaluated in order to determine the best configuration and arrangement of the rooftop ventilation areas since its efficiency will depend on multiple factors specific to the structure, the local climatic conditions, and the obstacles that may exist around the greenhouse [56,111,169].…”

“…Another research approach aimed to take advantage of the high capacity of CFD to analyze unconstructed scenarios, thus offering advantages in analyzing the spatial variability of the microclimate and energy efficiency in all types of protected agriculture structures, allowing users to obtain realistic and accurate results that facilitate the optimization of the technological systems involved in agricultural production under cover [53][54][55][56]. Finally, the results obtained through CFD are being used for farmers' education, through the combination of numerical results and technological developments that allow virtual reality representations.…”

Influence of the Height in a Colombian Multi-Tunnel Greenhouse on Natural Ventilation and Thermal Behavior: Modeling Approach

“…Recently Fatnassi et al [35] conducted a study in a tunnel type greenhouse with butterfly roof vents, where the thermal behavior of the greenhouse was evaluated numerically under four different gutter heights, 4, 5, 6 and 7 m, respectively. It was found that when the height is increased from 4 to 5 m, the temperature inside the greenhouse decreases by approximately 2 °C, while when it is increased from 6 to 7 m the temperature value only decreases by 0.2 °C.…”

“…Finally, through the ventilation area of span 3 an airflow enters and mixes with another airflow entering from the ventilation area of span 4, flows that move towards the leeward wall and exits through the ventilation areas of spans 4 and 5. It should also be noted that the confluence of flows over the central area of span 3 generates a small low velocity loop near the floor region, being this an inadequate movement pattern that may cause the generation of a heat spot over this region [29,33,35].…”

“…Recently Fatnassi et al [35] conducted a study in a tunnel type greenhouse with butterfly roof vents, where the thermal behavior of the greenhouse was evaluated numerically under four different gutter heights, 4, 5, 6 and 7 m, respectively. It was found that when the height is increased from 4 to 5 m, the temperature inside the greenhouse decreases by approximately 2 • C, while when it is increased from 6 to 7 m the temperature value only decreases by 0.2 • C. According to these results, the authors concluded that the effect of increasing greenhouse height on air temperature is clearly asymptotic, therefore, the increase in height should be analyzed as a climatic benefit versus economic cost ratio.…”