Analysis of Heat and Mass Distribution in a Single- and Multi-Span Greenhouse Microclimate
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Date
2021-09-16
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Agriculture
Abstract
Recently, heat and mass distributions within a greenhouse were assumed to be homogeneous.
Heat is gained or lost in absolute terms, and crop contribution in a greenhouse or its effect
is not considered. In this study, statistical analyses were conducted to establish the significance of
heat and mass variation at sensor nodes in two single-span and multi-span greenhouses. Three
greenhouses were used in this study, 168 m2 floor area a single-layered (SLG), double-layered (DLG)
single-span gothic roof type greenhouses, and 7572.6 m2 floor area multi-span greenhouse (MSG).
The microclimatic parameters investigated were temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), solar
radiation (SR), carbon dioxide (CO2), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). To check their horizontal
distribution, all microclimate data collected from each sensor node in each greenhouse were subjected
to descriptive statistics and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test. The lowest minimum
temperatures of 2.93 C, 3.33 C and 10.50 C were recorded at sensor points in SLG, DLG, and MSG,
respectively, whereas the highest maximum temperatures of 29.17 C, 29.07 C and 27.20 C were
recorded at sensor point, in SLG, DLG, and MSG, respectively. The difference between the center
and the side into the single-span was approximately 0.88–1.0 C and in the MSG was approximately
1.03 C. Significant variation was observed in the horizontal distribution of T, RH, SR, and VPD
within SLG, DLG, and MSG. Also significant was CO2 in the MSG. Estimating the energy demand of
greenhouses should be done based on the distribution rather than assuming microclimatic parameters
homogeneity, especially for T, with VPD as a control parameter. Such estimation should also be done
using a crop model that considers instant changes in air and crop temperature.
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Keywords
energy estimation; heat; mass; distribution; greenhouse; microclimate