Solar energy-assisted frost prevention in horticulture applications: integrated framework and parametric CFD modeling

Abstract

Prevention of frost in horticulture is important, but challenging, and its realization, especially using green-energy sources, will have a huge societal impact. In this paper, first we suggest an integrated solar photovoltaics (PV)-assisted framework where solar energy will be used as a secondary application for frost prevention (the primary application is electricity production for grid). Optimal design and operation of the suggested integrated system require detailed thermal modeling of air dynamics in the orchard, integrated system optimization and control tasks. Second, in this paper we address the first task above: development of a novel, sophisticated parametric computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for orchard air thermal dynamics for different orchard parameters (such as fruit type, climate, the number of trees, their sizes, distance between them, etc.) and boundary/initial conditions. Finally, the use of developed parametric CFD model is demonstrated through a case study to calculate the minimal thermal energy required to prevent frost under different frost levels in a test apricot orchard located in Malatya, Turkey, which is the world capital for dry apricot production.