Performance of vertical and through-curtain greenhouse fans in the presence of light abatement curtains.

Lead Applicant: William Lubitz

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems Projects

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2022/2023

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: New fan and ventilation technologies, mainly vertical and through-curtain fans, are being proposed to mitigate the challenges of consistent ventilation and growing conditions in large greenhouses. The goals of this project are to:
1. Evaluate the efficacy of through-curtain fans that exchange air between the attic and main room of greenhouses with light reducing ceiling curtains.
2. Determine the uniformity and distribution of air movement within greenhouse crop canopies.
3. Identify strategies for optimal use of such fans in different weather, seasonal and growing conditions.
The results will be the identification of operating protocols and best practices for this new class of fans.