Analysis of seasonal variations and their impact on the microclimate of soilless glass greenhouses: Numerical and experimental investigations

This article presents a comprehensive examination of the interior environments in a soilless Greenhouse located in Tunis and their response to seasonal variations. The research employs a numerical model in conjunction with an experimental setup to achieve this objective. The model considers various elements, including glass, air, crops, and concrete in combination, to assess their impact on the indoor climate. Rigorous comparisons with experimental data collected from a greenhouse prototype, particularly regarding parameters like air velocity and temperature profiles, confirm the validity of the numerical findings. To closely replicate real conditions, the numerical model underwent optimization, incorporating turbulence and radiation models and undergoing a grid independence analysis. This article provides a thorough analysis of how seasonal fluctuations directly influence the microclimate within a soilless glass greenhouse, utilizing a combination of numerical and experimental data. Additionally, a series of numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the potential impact of crop quantity on static indoor temperature. The comparative analysis revealed that the temperature difference at the roof level between scenarios with tomato and basil cultivation and those without cultivation was narrowed down to 3.5 K. Consequently, this study sheds light on the implications of seasonal fluctuations on soilless greenhouse climates and emphasizes the importance of accurate modeling and control to optimize agricultural practices in the northern regions of Tunisia.