USE OF A SMART AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT GREENHOUSE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BANANA AND ORCHID SEEDLINGS

Description

1 / 11 “USE OF A SMART AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT GREENHOUSE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BANANA AND ORCHID SEEDLINGS” FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[01] This application relates to the agrotechnology sector, more specifically to the sub-area of ​​developing advanced technologies for seedling production. According to this application, an intelligent and energy-efficient greenhouse, incorporating automation and precise environmental control, is used in a seedling production process for banana and orchid plants, which utilizes said greenhouse to optimize plant growth conditions. The present invention aims to improve sustainability, energy efficiency, and agronomic results in the production of these seedlings, providing both economic and environmental benefits. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] Producers of banana and orchid seedlings in the state of the art work with conventional greenhouses, that is, with little or no automation. They generally use a timed irrigation system or timed misting. On the other hand, smart greenhouses, for a wide variety of uses, have aroused the interest of the state of the art.

[03] Document EP3432469, for example, discloses a photovoltaic module unit for an ecological greenhouse, comprising: a support for mounting and moving within a support structure of a photovoltaic power station or a photovoltaic ecological greenhouse. In summary, a photovoltaic ecological greenhouse is disclosed, comprising: a support structure placed on the ground to form Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 16 / 44 2 / 11 a support and a plurality of photovoltaic module units placed on the support structure.

[04] Document CN209376306, in turn, discloses a photovoltaic solar system comprising an amorphous silicon thin-film battery pack and an energy storage module. The amorphous silicon thin-film battery pack comprises a solar cell panel and an amorphous silicon thin film. An ultraviolet-proof layer is disposed on the amorphous silicon film; and the amorphous silicon film is attached to the solar cell panel.

[05] Document CN21029874 discloses a greenhouse equipped with environmental monitoring and video monitoring equipment, a control center, a ventilation system, a shutter system, and an irrigation system. All of these are connected, and the control center is electrically connected to the monitor screen for real-time monitoring. Environmental information in the greenhouse and data are stored in the control center, and the monitored data is displayed on the outer wall of the greenhouse via the display screen, which is convenient to observe.

[06] Finally, document CN212910975 discloses a multifunctional smart greenhouse comprising graphene heating modules, wherein all graphene heating modules are electrically connected to the temperature control module. The system also comprises a water and fertilizer storage device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[07] Production process of banana and orchid seedlings using an intelligent and energy-efficient greenhouse. Intelligent, because it uses Fuzzy logic to control variables. Efficient, because the controls seek Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 17 / 44 3 / 11 utilizes the lowest possible electricity consumption. Furthermore, the entire process incorporates a photovoltaic system to reduce energy consumption. The result is the production of banana and orchid seedlings with higher quality and faster growth.

[08] The present application involves the use of a greenhouse that adjusts environmental conditions automatically, intelligently and in real time. This is achieved through sensors, actuators and control systems that adjust ambient temperature, relative humidity, light levels and other relevant parameters to optimize plant growth.

[09] The invention stands out for integrating automation and energy efficiency into a seedling production system, allowing for more precise and sustainable cultivation compared to the state of the art. The implementation of smart technologies and energy-efficient practices represents a significant advance over conventional methods, which typically require constant human intervention and consume more energy.

[010] The technical effects achieved can be summarized as follows: - Efficiency: Automation and precise control of environmental conditions allow for more efficient use of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. - Productivity: The process maximizes productivity by providing ideal growing conditions, resulting in a greater number of high-quality seedlings. - Cost: Optimizing resource use and reducing waste lowers operational costs in the long term; - Product Quality: The seedlings produced are of high morphological and physiological quality, due to optimized growing conditions; Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 18 / 44 4 / 11 - Waste Reduction: The system's efficiency and precision help minimize waste and promote the sustainable use of resources; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[011] Figure 1 shows the greenhouse design in perspective, with some key elements highlighted.

[012] Figure 3 shows an example of a fertigation tank and its control panels.

[013] Figure 13 illustrates the early flowering of Phalaenopsis acclimatized in the Smartgreenhouse.

[014] Figure 20 shows the final hardware model.

[015] Figure 21 shows the process model for the production of banana seedlings in Smartgreenhouse.

[016] Figure 22 shows the process model for the production of orchid seedlings in Smartgreenhouses.

[017] Figure 23 shows the operational process model for seedling production in Smartgreenhouses. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[018] According to the present application, banana and orchid seedlings are produced in a process that utilizes an intelligent and energy-efficient greenhouse. The present invention has sought to improve sustainability, energy efficiency, and agronomic results in the production of these seedlings, providing both economic and environmental benefits.

[019] Figure 1 shows the greenhouse design in perspective with some key elements highlighted: concrete wall, windows, curtains with Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 19 / 44 5 / 11 geared motor, wet wall made of cellulose evaporative panels and exhaust fans. It also has an automated ceiling to reduce air volume and an auxiliary ceiling made of thermoreflective aluminized material, popularly known as aluminet, to reduce solar radiation on extremely sunny days. The purpose of the registration is not to patent the greenhouse itself, but rather the production process based on this construction; however, it involves other aspects related to seedling production. Furthermore, Figure 1 represents a greenhouse of a specific size that can vary according to the producer's needs.

[020] The computer system is responsible for controlling the various sensors and actuators of the system. In general, Figure 2 shows the fuzzy logic and its relationships. As a general intelligent control, it commands the actuators based on the sensor readings. The actuators are: curtains, windows, damp wall, heaters, exhaust fans, ceiling, aluminet, irrigation, fertigation, CO2 injection, and photoperiod system. The sensors are: 9 temperature sensors, 9 relative humidity sensors, 4 light sensors, 8 banana substrate sensors, and 8 orchid substrate sensors. In addition, there are 6 limit switches for each curtain to allow stops at 4 positions: 0% (fully closed), 33% open, 66%, and 100% open. The windows have two limit switches that allow them to be fully open or fully closed.A weather station is integrated into the system primarily to provide data on outside temperature and wind speed. This data serves as input to the fuzzy logic that intelligently controls the aforementioned hardware to maintain the temperature setpoint. When more intensive cooling is required, a damp wall system with exhaust fans is activated. Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 20 / 44 6 / 11 To heat up, a system with electric heaters can also be activated. All of this equipment is also controlled by fuzzy logic.

[021] The computer system has a responsive web interface, which means it can be accessed from anywhere in the world and by any computing device.

[022] The irrigation system that couples two other systems, fertigation and CO2 enrichment, consists of a water inlet from the mains, a reservoir for fertigation, a CO2 cylinder and a motor pump to activate each of the reservoirs. These are connected to a 50 mm main pipe with a reduction to 32 mm, which runs longitudinally in front of all the benches. It has a 50 mm solenoid valve at the reservoir outlet and a 50 mm solenoid valve at the water inlet intended for irrigation and fertigation. Connected to the CO2 cylinder up to the solenoid valve used for CO2 enrichment, there will be a 10 mm PU pipe. Connected in parallel to the reducing pipe (32mm), there are 4 pipes of 25 mm and 10 m in length, with a 25 mm solenoid valve at the beginning of each one, which were used for irrigation, fertigation or CO2 enrichment via sprinkling and are located in the center of each of the 4 benches.There are 7 micro-sprinklers per bench with a flow rate of 105 L h-1, spaced 2 meters apart, totaling 28 micro-sprinklers. They are connected perpendicularly to the 50 mm tubing, which has a 32 mm solenoid for alternating between misting and spraying, and a misting system that will consist of 8 tubes of 25 mm.

[023] The fertigation system is coupled to the same irrigation system using the same motor pump, pipes and emitters. And the automatic coupling of the solenoid valves supplies the nutrient solution to the seedlings. The seedlings only receive the solution after the pre-acclimation period and the electrical conductivity. Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 21 / 44 7 / 11 gradually increases from 0.6 to 2.2 mS cm-1 in a well-defined process, increasing the nutrient level of the seedlings.

[024] The control of fertigation, irrigation, and misting is fully automated through the computer system (software) and the sensors and actuators (hardware). In the case of irrigation, substrate sensors act individually for the banana and orchid seedlings. They "sense" the need for water in the substrate, and the computer system activates the solenoid valves and pumps, irrigating the seedlings. Setpoint values ​​can be defined in the web system for each control.

[025] In the case of nebulization, relative air humidity sensors measure the current value and compare it with the setpoint, if necessary solenoid valves are activated together with the motor pump and nebulization occurs, increasing the relative air humidity.

[026] For fertigation, an automatically controlled water tank was developed. A 200 L drum was used as the tank. Figure 3 shows the drum and the control panels for the entire system. Three water detection sensors were installed in the drum. The computer system reads the three sensors in real time and, as needed, activates solenoid valves that automatically fill the tank. When this tank is full, the mixture mentioned in Table 1 needs to be placed in the drum. For this, the level control system for fertigation is stopped until the operator adds the mixture and presses a button on the panel so that fertigation becomes automatic again.

[027] There are three nutrient solutions, two concentrated, or stock, solutions, A and B, and the solution ready to be made available to the seedlings. Table 1 lists the main raw material that makes up the commercial fertilizers used, concentration in grams per liter to make solutions A and B. Table 1 Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 22 / 44 8 / 11 Concentrated solution g / 10L AB Fertilizers Calcium nitrate (calcinit) 1600 Potassium nitrate (Krista K) 1000 Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) 300 Monopotassium phosphate (Kista MKP) 360 Magnesium sulfate (Magnesium Ultra) 1200 Conmicros 75 Note: 1 L of solution A and 1 L of solution B in 200 L for EC: 2.2 mS cm-1

[028] To formulate the nutrient solution containing an electrical conductivity of 1.5 mS cm⁻¹ in 200 L of water (the capacity of the greenhouse reservoir), it is necessary to use 900 mL of concentrated solution A and 900 mL of concentrated solution B, while for 2.2 mS cm⁻¹ the volume is 1 L of each concentrated solution.

[029] The system's distinguishing feature is the enrichment with carbon dioxide, obtained through the injection of CO2 into the irrigation water. Since plants consume CO2 to perform photosynthesis, the more they receive, the greater their growth will be. Therefore, a CO2 cylinder and solenoid valve were implemented and integrated with the irrigation system. When solar intensity is high and the time is between 11 am and 1 pm, the system releases CO2 periodically. According to the literature, only under these conditions does the plant effectively absorb CO2.

[030] Architecture and bioclimatic strategies are the main way to guarantee, maintain and balance parameters of relative humidity, luminosity, ambient temperature and thermal comfort in greenhouses, ensuring a suitable environment for the cultivation and development of seedlings and plants. The architectural elements and bioclimatic strategies are responsible for ventilating, humidifying, heating, cooling and illuminating the environment, using passive and active means and devices. Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 23 / 44 9 / 11

[031] For passive strategies, architecture is shown as the main means of controlling environmental variables. Architectural elements assist in lighting, ventilation, humidification, and heating and cooling of the building. Heaters, exhaust fans, curtains, light fixtures, and sprinklers are considered active strategies for environmental control.

[032] During the design and development phase of the smart greenhouse, several bioclimatic strategies were implemented, such as: Natural and cross ventilation system; Shading materials and elements; Materials and elements for taking advantage of natural lighting; Evaporative cooling system for internal cooling and humidification; Curtain opening system according to internal and external ambient parameters; Movable ceiling system to reduce the space to be cooled / heated; Aluminet curtain system for shading.

[033] The structure of the greenhouses consists of a high ceiling of 4 meters, side curtains that move up and down, and 150-micron agricultural tarpaulin which, being a perforated material, allows air circulation and promotes heat exchange when desired. In addition, the greenhouses also have two upper windows located at the front and back that help maintain the internal temperature through heat exchange by convection and cross ventilation.

[034] The greenhouse enclosure has three distinct materials. The roof material is composed of a plastic film that allows the entry of natural light and solar radiation. In addition, as already mentioned, there is a movable shade cloth made of aluminet and a movable polymer lining. The sides are composed of 150-micron agricultural tarpaulin to aid in cross-ventilation and a movable plastic film curtain. The curtain and the movable lining move from Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 24 / 44 10 / 11 according to climatic conditions to control thermal exchanges between the internal and external environments, in order to guarantee the appropriate parameters inside the greenhouses. All these devices are controlled by an automatic system activated as needed, assessed by the computer intelligence system.

[035] The artificial lighting system developed consists of 20 LED luminaires, each with a power of 130 W, a luminous flux of 13,750 lumens, a beam angle of 120°, and a median lifespan of 100,000 hours. The luminaires have a power factor of 0.96, a color rendering index greater than 80, an IP67 waterproof rating, and a spectral range of 450 nm to 650 nm. The artificial lighting system is activated by a computer system whose decision-making is based on design premises and monitoring of the internal luminosity of the greenhouse.

[036] The seedling production process consists of a pre-acclimation stage in the greenhouse. This process lasts 15 days under special temperature and humidity conditions. Temperature at 28°C and high humidity, greater than 90%. The second stage is acclimation, in this stage the seedlings are already more resistant, so the temperature and humidity can be reduced, allowing for more flexible control.

[037] In general, the seedling production process developed at Smartgreenhouse reduced the pre-acclimation period from 15 to 10 days, produced banana seedlings in two months, half the time observed in commercial cultivation, with the possibility of year-round production, including the winter period, and delivers seedlings of high quality. The use of technology in orchid seedling production also increases quality, notably the early flowering where orchids began flowering after 8 months of acclimation. In Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 25 / 44 In conventional 11 / 11 protected cultivation, orchids are expected to produce their first flower buds in an average period of 2 to 3 years. The estimated reduction in the time to flower stem emergence in the Smartgreenhouse is 3 to 4.5 times.

[038] Architectural elements and bioclimatic strategies were studied, designed, and applied to greenhouses. The design of an automatic weather station was developed and applied to greenhouses. Energy systems, such as artificial lighting and artificial heating systems, were also studied, designed, developed, and applied to greenhouses. A grid-connected photovoltaic system within the scope of distributed generation was studied, modeled, and simulated in software, designed, and applied to greenhouses in the concept of an agrovoltaic system.

[039] In this regard, figures 21 to 23 illustrate the process model for the production of banana seedlings in Smartgreenhouse according to the present application.

[040] Although the present application has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that many variations, modifications, equivalent structural elements, combinations, sub-combinations and other applications of the present invention may be made and do not depart from the scope of protection of the present application. Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 26 / 44

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. Intelligent greenhouse (IGH) characterized by comprising temperature control through fuzzy logic, the assembly having automated control of relative air humidity, irrigation control, substrate moisture control, fertigation, CO2 injection, artificial lighting system by photoperiod, automated ceiling, shading through automated aluminized thermoreflective screen ceiling and photovoltaic system; all this integrated into a low-cost computer system that can be accessed via the web.

2. Use of a smart greenhouse (SGH) characterized by its use in the production of banana seedlings.

3. Use, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is in the production of banana seedlings.

4. Process for the production of banana seedlings characterized by comprising the following steps: - receiving the seedlings; - treating the seedlings; - in vitro transplanting of the seedlings into plastic tubes with substrate; - conditioning the seedlings on benches; - germination and development of the seedlings in an infrastructure as defined in claim 1; - control of relative humidity, ambient temperature and luminosity (light); - regular maintenance and care; - monitoring the quality of the seedlings; and - preparation of the seedlings, packaging and distribution thereof.

5. Use of a smart greenhouse (SGH) characterized by its use in the production of orchid seedlings. Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, page 14 / 44 2 / 2 6. Use according to claim 5, characterized by being in the production of Phalaenopsis orchid seedlings.

7. Process for the production of orchid seedlings characterized by comprising the following steps: - receiving inputs (seeds, substrate, fertilizers); - substrate preparation; - sowing orchids; - germination and development of seedlings in an infrastructure as defined in claim 1; - control of relative humidity, ambient temperature and luminosity (light); - transplanting to larger pots; - regular maintenance and care; - monitoring the quality of the seedlings; and - harvesting, packaging and distribution thereof. Petition 870240110492, dated 12 / 27 / 2024, p. 15 / 44

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