The humidification-dehumidification (HD) greenhouse is a relatively new technology. In addition to the humidification process and cultivation normally present in greenhouses in arid countries, the HD greenhouse also integrates a dehumidification process. In these greenhouses, saline or brackish water is evaporated in the ordinary evaporative cooling pads (i.e. 1st humidifier) before passing through the main crop growing section. The air is further loaded with more moisture by passing it through a 2nd humidifier. This humidification process is then followed by a dehumidification process to condense as much water vapour as possible. The main purpose of the HD greenhouses is to find a cheap means of desalinating saline water for the sake of using the condensate for irrigation. Most of previous attempts to improve the performance of the HD greenhouses have used a trial-and-error approach. An alternative approach is to use simulation models. Due to the absence of such models, this research study aims at developing a simulation model capable of simulating the significant processes of the HD greenhouses. The developed model is an integration of three sub-models each of which simulates one element of the HD greenhouse. The simulated elements are humidifiers, cultivation area (i.e. microclimate) and dehumidifiers. The integrated model can be used for design and optimisation purposes.

The humidification-dehumidification (HD) greenhouse is a relatively new technology. In addition to the humidification process and cultivation normally present in greenhouses in arid countries, the HD greenhouse also integrates a dehumidification process. In these greenhouses, saline or brackish w...