Numerical evaluation and optimization of air distribution system in a small vertical farm with lateral air supply

Luyang Kang; Twan van Hooff

doi:10.1016/j.dibe.2023.100304

Numerical evaluation and optimization of air distribution system in a small vertical farm with lateral air supply

Luyang Kang (Corresponding author), Twan van Hooff

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

An appropriate design for air distribution systems is crucial for achieving optimal and uniform growth conditions while reducing energy costs in vertical farms. This study employs steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate the influence of several key design parameters of air distribution systems in a small generic vertical farm with a lateral air supply. The simulation results reveal that an air supply orifice of reduced dimensions, positioned proximally to the LED lamps, coupled with an exhaust mechanism integrated into the corridor ceiling, proves most effective in removing the excess heat generated by the LED lamps. Moreover, enhanced uniformity in air distribution is attained by positioning the air supply closer to the LED lamps, utilizing larger orifices, and eliminating the corridor space. In contrast, the vertical distance between the lateral air exhaust orifices and the cultivated regions is found to have a negligible effect.

Original language	English
Article number	100304
Number of pages	27
Journal	Developments in the Built Environment
Volume	17
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2023.100304
Publication status	Published - Mar 2024

Funding

Luyang Kang is currently a postdoctoral fellow funded by the Dutch Research Council ( NWO ) ( NWO project SKY HIGH: Vertical farming, a revolution in plant production; P18-07- Project C1). This research is part of the TTW Perspectief programme “Sky High”, which is supported by AMS Institute, Bayer , Bosman van Zaal, Certhon, Fresh Forward, Grodan, Growy, Own Greens/Vitroplus, Priva, Signify, Solynta, Unilever , van Bergen Kolpa Architects, and the Dutch Research Council ( NWO ). They are gratefully acknowledged for their financial support. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the partnership with ANSYS CFD. This work was carried out on the Dutch national e-infrastructure with the support of SURF Cooperative (Grant no. EINF-361, EINF- 2046 and NWO-2021.027).

Funders	Funder number
SURF	NWO-2021.027, EINF- 2046, EINF-361
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek	P18-07
Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS)

Keywords

Air distribution system
Air exhaust
Air supply
CFD simulation
Parametric study
Plant factory
Vertical farm

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10.1016/j.dibe.2023.100304

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abstract = "An appropriate design for air distribution systems is crucial for achieving optimal and uniform growth conditions while reducing energy costs in vertical farms. This study employs steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate the influence of several key design parameters of air distribution systems in a small generic vertical farm with a lateral air supply. The simulation results reveal that an air supply orifice of reduced dimensions, positioned proximally to the LED lamps, coupled with an exhaust mechanism integrated into the corridor ceiling, proves most effective in removing the excess heat generated by the LED lamps. Moreover, enhanced uniformity in air distribution is attained by positioning the air supply closer to the LED lamps, utilizing larger orifices, and eliminating the corridor space. In contrast, the vertical distance between the lateral air exhaust orifices and the cultivated regions is found to have a negligible effect.",

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Numerical evaluation and optimization of air distribution system in a small vertical farm with lateral air supply

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