Analysis on the characteristics of temperature environment and optimal sensor placement in roof solar greenhouse using computational fluid dynamics simulation methods

With the shortage of land resources, global energy conservation and construction of Ecological City, the roof solar greenhouses have vast potential in development because they are ornamental and practical. However, there are no relevant reports on environment characteristics and sensors monitoring in greenhouse. In this paper, we used CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) method to examine the characteristics of temperature and optimal sensor placement model in roof solar greenhouse. Results showed that: the thermal environment CFD simulation model and solving method, which were based on CFD and heat transfer principle, could be used for optimal layout of temperature sensor in roof solar greenhouse. As for cooling with greenhouse screen-fan system, vortex existed both in horizontal (Y = 1.4 m) and vertical (Z = 4.5 m), it was more obvious when only open both ends of the fans, and local vortex would affect cooling effect. The effect of fans opened was not as effective as matching up with the shade net. Based on these, the CFD simulation was used to determine the number of sensors laid in greenhouse and their optimal locations.