Tracer study of CO2 enrichment for shallot growth in mini plant factory with CFD approach

Abstract

Abstract It has been proven that the effect of CO2 enrichment leads to faster growth and higher yields. Using environmental parameters controlling based on needs, responses, and performance of crops, CO2 level from 800 to 1500 ppm were able to accelerate the growth of shallot in mini plan factory. Therefore, CFD simulation was conducted to simulate and trace the distribution of CO2 with varying airflow inlet. Airflow inlet is two wall air conditioners (ACs) with the 2 pk specification. Both of ACs was attached at opposite walls. There were two combinations of ACs position, which are top-top (both of ACs were positioned approximately 10 cm below the ceiling) and top-center (an AC positioned approximately 10 cm below the ceiling and another positioned 60 cm below the ceiling). In the simulation, CO2 gas was injected into the inlet from 0.5 l min−1 to 2 l min−1 . The simulation was used for tracing CO2 injection and position that has the highest uniformity coefficient at the CO2 levels of around 800 ppm. It is proven through a numerical approach, the best ACs position is a top-top combination, with CO2 injected, is 2 l min−1 .