Key Points

• Climate Change and Water Scarcity:
  • Climate change exacerbates water scarcity, particularly in regions lacking access to clean water for crop cultivation.
• Greenhouse Solution:
  • Introduction of greenhouses is proposed as a solution to water scarcity issues in agriculture.
• Optimal Air-Conditioning System Design:
  • The authors designed an optimal air-conditioning system for a water-saving greenhouse.
  • The system includes a heat balance model and a water balance model within the greenhouse.
  • An objective function was created, unifying electric power used in moisture loss and other constrained conditions.
• Plant Growth Experiment:
  • The study investigated the effects of higher relative humidity levels on the growth of cucumber seedlings.
  • Three humidity conditions were tested: RH74.5%, 86%, and 97.8%.
• Findings:
  • The designed air-conditioning system minimized energy consumption.
  • The introduction of a fog cooling system, thermal storage mediums, and a gas absorption refrigerator with dehumidification capability proved beneficial.
  • The highest crop growth was observed under high humidity conditions, suggesting the effectiveness of this design in water-saving greenhouses.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the optimal air-conditioning system for water-saving greenhouses not only conserves water but also promotes optimal plant growth under high humidity conditions, making it a viable solution for regions facing water scarcity.

For more detailed information, refer to the full study: Optimum Air-Conditioning System Design for Water-Saving Greenhouses and Its Effects on Plant Growth

Authors: S. Matsuo, Mami Suzuki, H. Umeda, et al.

Published: 2015

Fields: Environmental Science, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Engineering

Source : https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-optimum-air-conditioning-system-design-of-and-Matsuo-Suzuki/8efb2c414cebef0342f201267c34e870f7c540f2