Thermal Analysis and Experimental Validation of Environmental Condition Inside Greenhouse in Tropical Wet and Dry Climate

Abstract

A facility for controlled environment agriculture from an energy consumption point of view was investigated at the C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University (21.1667° N, 72.8333° E), Bardoli, Surat, Gujarat, India. It is a tropical wet and dry region of the state of Gujarat. The study was carried out for an even span type 2.45 m × 3.65 m greenhouse with an elevation of 34 m above the sea level under the environmental conditions. A thermal model is proposed to identify the suitable climate condition for the cultivation of different varieties of Banana (Musa) and Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Banana and Sugarcanes are the main crops in the Surat district, wherein around 12,400 hector and 94,500 hector cultivation are done, respectively. The experimental study was carried out during the period of December 2017 (winter) to February 2018 (winter and summer). The proposed thermal model is helpful to indicate the hourly energy balance and average temperature distribution inside the greenhouse. The greenhouse was studied for east–west orientation. The steady state analysis was utilized to find extra thermal energy other than solar radiation needed to keep the plant temperature desirable. Experimental validation of the model was carried out in even span greenhouse. At last, some important conclusions are drawn and suggestions made for further studies based on the main characteristics and results of the study. A higher air change rate seems desirable to bring down the temperature further. It was observed that the extra heating is required during the period of December to February, whereas from March onwards a storage unit is required to absorb the energy available and utilize it whenever necessary in the given climatic condition and crop.

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