Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a tool for the analysis of ventilation and indoor microclimate in agricultural buildings

The basic concepts of CFD are presented in relation to applications in modelling the ventilation process and the resulting indoor climate of agricultural buildings. The validity and the advantages of this numerical technique are presented using 3 examples. Firstly the pressure coefficients along the roof of a 7-span Venlo-type greenhouse were calculated and compared with the corresponding experimental values. Next, the ventilation process in a single-span greenhouse was investigated and the results were compared to laboratory experiments. Finally, the use of CFD as a design tool for more efficient ventilation systems was demonstrated for the case of a broiler house.