Computational fluid dynamics applied to indoor and outdoor environments for green and smart production processes.

This thesis explores the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to enhance green and smart production in various environmental conditions, demonstrating its versatility in microclimate management across indoor agricultural and outdoor urban area. This work is important for environmental management, urban planning, and agricultural sciences. The first study focuses on greenhouse microclimate control, crucial for optimizing crop growth and productivity. It employs a porous media model based on Darcy's law to examine thermal interactions within a greenhouse cultivating sweet peppers, integrating energy balance considerations, mass transfer and heat exchange. This approach significantly advances modeling and assessment of greenhouse climates, enhancing indoor agricultural environments. The second study investigates the aerodynamic properties of Basil and Mentuccia, using advanced image processing to quantify Leaf Area Density (LAD). These measurements allow for a precise differentiation between the leafy areas and the porous spaces within the crops, which is crucial for an accurate aerodynamic analysis. The insights extend beyond theoretical aerodynamics, offering practical applications in agricultural planning and plant-environment interactions. The final study applies CFD to urban settings, analyzing how trees and water bodies influence wind patterns and temperature in an urban park in Igualada, Barcelona. It integrates a porous media model with a water–air interface exchange model in three dimensional simulations. The model highlights significant temperature reductions at pedestrian levels, emphasizing the role of integrated green systems in reducing urban heat islands and enhancing urban comfort. Overall, this thesis underscores CFD's potential as a tool for sustainable development, with broad implications for improving indoor agricultural methods and urban green infrastructure planning, contributing to a more sustainable future.