Experimental and simulation analysis of fluid flow pattern in fog sprayers for greenhouse cultivation

Controlling the humidity and temperature inside the greenhouse is an effective way of plant growth that could be done in different ways. The humidity and temperature of the greenhouse environment could be controlled by the fogging system. A uniform humidity in the greenhouse could be achieved by investigating the effect of various factors on the fluid flow behavior when leaves the spray nozzle. In this study, the effect of three types of BD power fuel injector nozzles (made in Taiwan) in various numbers of 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05 in three pressure levels of 20, 40, and 60 bar on the pattern of fog spray in the environment, spray angle, and spray uniformity was examined. Both methods of experimental and computational fluid dynamics modeling used in this study. For experimental examinations, the greenhouse of Yasuj Airport was used. For evaluation of experimental examinations, a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with 3 replications was used and to compare the means of treatments Duncan's test was used. To solve the governing equations of flow such as continuity and momentum in the modeling method, FLUENT software is used. The results from experimental study showed that there is a significant association between pressure and nozzle type on the spray angle (P<0.01). The highest fluid spraying was observed in the outlet center of the nozzle, and by moving away from the center of the nozzle the amount of fluid settling was reduced. In this type of sprayer, the best spraying quality was obtained at a pressure of 40 bar. The results from simulation of particle velocity showed that at the pressure of 20 bar, the trend of velocity changes is V-shaped. In the center of the nozzles the velocity of the particles was maximum and then decreased as the particles move towards the sides. Any increments in pressure led to spraying non-uniformity and phenomenon of elongation. However, both simulation and experimental results were matched appropriately.