Flow Field Analysis of Vertical Farm Unit
Client:
Vertical Farming Solutions Provider in Australia
Challenges:
- Developing precise CAD model and identify simulation domain
- Identifying suitable boundary conditions and selecting applicable turbulence model
The Objective:
To study the flow patterns of the air inside the ducts and installed trays in vertical farming system
Solution:
The vertical farm unit was successfully evaluated to identify the air flow across the vertical trays. It was observed that the flow remained almost uniform throughout the unit, except few bottom trays.
Software Used: ANSYS Fluent 14.5
Vertical farming is an innovative solution to cultivate plantation within a skyscraper greenhouse. However, in order to ensure sufficient air flow circulation along with artificial lighting, these units require effective placements of fans, air ducts and vents.
An Australian based vertical farming system provider needed simulation solution to predict the air flow pattern inside the ducts and trays, in order to measure the system’s effectiveness.
Solution:
A computational domain representing vertical farming unit was developed and suitable boundary conditions were applied. The simulation results showed that the air flow across the trays was uniform except three trays from the bottom.
Recirculation zones were also observed which prevented top 5 discharge vents of the duct.
Benefits:
- Identified effectiveness of the vertical farming equipment without physical testing
- Considerable reduction in cost associated with design modification
- Reduced number of prototyping tests required
About Hitech CFD
Hitech CFD is a division of Hitech Outsourcing Services, a pioneer engineering outsourcing company since 1992 based in India & USA. It provides expert Computer Aided Engineering – CAE consulting services for engineering / product design analysis by modeling & simulation.
The primary services extended include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), product design optimization and value engineering services to Automotive, Building / Construction, Process industry, Power Generation, Manufacturing & Heavy Engineering industries.
