• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2006

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical model has been developed to effectively study the ventilation efficiency of multi-span greenhouses with internal crops. As the first step of the study, the internal plants of the CFD model had to be designed as a porous media because of the complexity of its physical shapes. In this paper, the results of the wind tunnel tests were introduced to find the aerodynamic resistance of the plant canopy. The Seogun tomato was used for this study which made significant effects on thermal and mass exchanges with the adjacent air as well as internal airflow resistance. With the main factors of wind speed, static pressure, and density of plant canopy, the aerodynamic resistance factor was statically found. It was finally found to be 0.26 which will be used later as an input data of the CFD model. Moreover, the experimental procedure of how to find the aerodynamic resistance of various plants using, wind tunnel was established through this study.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.473-483
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• 2014

In this work, the effects of shade combination, shade height and wind regime on greenhouse climate were quantified. A two-dimensional (2-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed based on an 11-span plastic greenhouse in eastern China for wind almost normal to the greenhouse orientation. The model was first validated with air temperature profiles measured in a compartmentalized greenhouse cultivated with mature lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., 'Yang Shan'). Next, the model was employed to investigate the effect of shade combinations on greenhouse microclimate patterns. Simulations showed similar airflow patterns in the greenhouse under different shade combinations. The temperature pattern was a consequence of convection and radiation transfer and was not significantly influenced by shade combination. The use of shade screens reduced air velocity by $0.02-0.20m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, lowered air temperature by $0.2-0.8^{\circ}C$ and raised the humidity level by 0.9-2.0% in the greenhouse. Moreover, it improved the interior climate homogeneity. The assessment of shade performance revealed that the external shade had good cooling and homogeneity performance and thus can be recommended. Furthermore, the effects of external shade height and wind regime on greenhouse climate parameters showed that external shade screens are suitable for installation within 1 m above roof level. They also demonstrated that, under external shade conditions, greenhouse temperature was reduced relative to unshaded conditions by $1.3^{\circ}C$ under a wind speed of $0.5m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, whereas it was reduced by merely $0.5^{\circ}C$ under a wind speed of $2.0m{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Therefore, external shading is more useful during periods of low wind speed.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are broadly used for onshore and offshore fire accidents because of excellent performance and low cost. However, there is risk with carbon dioxide systems, which have caused many injuries and deaths by suffocation associated with industrial and marine fire protection applications. In this study, a numerical analysis was performed to predict the fire suppression characteristics of a carbon dioxide system in the compressor room of ships. A double protection safety system is suggested to prevent suffocation accidents from carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. Four scenarios were selected to study the variation of the heat release rate, maximum temperature, a $CO_2$ and $O_2$ mole fraction, and fire suppression characteristics with the carbon dioxide system. The importance of proper design is suggested for a ventilation system in the compressor room of ships.