Analysis of thermal flow in the high-ridge greenhouse according to external weather conditions

Dong hyeon Kang; Jinkyung Kwon; Ki Young Park; Seong heon Kim

doi:10.22765/pastj.20260003

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2026 Vol.8, Issue 1 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Analysis of thermal flow in the high-ridge greenhouse according to external weather conditions

31 March 2026. pp. 25-33

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Abstract

This study investigates the thermal flow characteristics and ventilation of the high-ridge greenhouse (52 m wide, 84 m long, 15.5 m high) designed to mitigate summer heat stress. Using three-dimensional Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the research employed the Realizable k-ε turbulence model, Solar Ray Tracing for radiation, and Porous Media models for crop resistance to analyze the interactions between external meteorological conditions and mechanical ventilation. Numerical results revealed that a southern wind direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal vents, achieved the highest ventilation rate and the shortest mean age of air, identifying it as the optimal orientation for natural cooling. The study also identified a critical performance threshold for mechanical ventilation relative to external wind speed. At low wind speeds (< 1.5 m/s), ceiling fans significantly enhanced air exchange, reducing internal temperatures by approximately 1.2°C by exhausting stagnant hot air. Conversely, at higher wind speeds (> 3.0 m/s), natural ventilation driven by pressure differentials was sufficient, and fan operation was found to interfere with natural flow paths, occasionally leading to localized temperature increases. These findings provide essential quantitative data for developing intelligent greenhouse control algorithms. The results suggest that a variable ventilation strategy, which modulates mechanical fan operation based on real-time external wind conditions, is critical for optimizing the microclimate and ensuring stable crop production during extreme summer temperatures.

Keywords

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

High-ridge greenhouse

Ventilation efficiency

Heat stress mitigation

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Information

Publisher :Korean Society of Precision Agriculture
Publisher(Ko) :한국정밀농업학회
Journal Title :Precision Agriculture Science and Technology
Journal Title(Ko) :정밀농업과학기술
Volume : 8
No :1
Pages :25-33
Received Date : 2026-03-06
Revised Date : 2026-03-10
Accepted Date : 2026-03-11
DOI :https://doi.org/10.22765/pastj.20260003

Precision Agriculture Science and Technology ISSN:2672-0086(Print) 2713-5632(Online) 정밀농업과학기술

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