Carbon neutral sustainable growing system with absorption and adsorption modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional farming systems face high energy and water consumption, large land requirements, high maintenance costs, and inefficiencies in cooling and dehumidification, leading to increased production costs and reduced competitiveness, especially in hot and arid regions.
Innovation Solution
A carbon neutral sustainable farming system incorporating absorption and adsorption modules, utilizing photovoltaic panels for energy input, an absorption chiller for cooling, and an adsorption module for dehumidification, with by-products recycled within the system to optimize atmosphere and reduce waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional greenhouses are used for agriculture, then cooling and growing can be achieved, but water consumption is excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical compression-based refrigeration systems with an absorption cooling system that uses thermal energy from PV panels to drive the cooling process. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power compressors and reduces water consumption in the cooling process while maintaining reliable temperature control in the greenhouse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the cooling process by using absorption technology with lithium bromide and water as refrigerant, operating at different temperature and pressure conditions compared to traditional vapor compression systems. This parameter change enables efficient cooling with reduced water consumption.
2Reliability
If traditional greenhouses are used, then agriculture can be practiced, but energy consumption is 32 times higher than net houses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy generation function (PV panels) directly with the energy consumption function (absorption cooling system) in a coupled configuration. The PV panels generate electrical energy that powers the absorption chiller, eliminating the need for separate grid electricity and reducing overall energy consumption by 32 times compared to traditional greenhouse systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by using the PV panels mounted on the greenhouse structure to generate the exact energy needed for the absorption cooling process. The system serves itself by producing its own cooling energy on-site, eliminating external energy dependencies and dramatically reducing energy consumption.
3Temperature
If HVAC systems are installed for farming, then temperature control can be achieved, but installation and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical HVAC systems with a simpler absorption cooling system that uses thermal-driven chemistry (lithium bromide absorption of water vapor) instead of mechanical compressors, condensers, and evaporators. This substitution dramatically reduces installation complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor to liquid) driven by thermal energy from PV panels to achieve cooling. This natural phase change process eliminates the need for complex mechanical temperature control systems, reducing both installation and maintenance costs while maintaining precise temperature control.
4Area of stationary object
If large areas of land are used for farming, then cultivation space is sufficient, but land requirement becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal land use to three-dimensional vertical farming structures. By stacking cultivation layers vertically and using PV panels on rooftops and vertical surfaces, the system achieves sufficient cultivation space without requiring large land areas, making the farming system adaptable to urban and limited-space environments.
5Productivity
If agrivoltaics systems are implemented, then land use efficiency improves, but the system fails due to rivalry between energy companies and farmers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges energy generation and agricultural production into a single integrated system where PV panels are strategically positioned to provide both electricity and shading for crops. This merging eliminates the rivalry between energy companies and farmers by making them partners in the same system, with the PV panels serving dual purposes of power generation and agricultural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The PV panels perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating electrical energy for the absorption cooling system, providing shading to reduce heat stress on crops, and serving as a structural element of the greenhouse. This multi-functionality increases land use efficiency while ensuring system compatibility and eliminating conflicts between energy production and agriculture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves energy and water efficiency, reduces resource waste, and supports premium crops year-round with minimal maintenance, while maintaining a carbon-neutral footprint.
Implementation Method 1
the absorption module is an absorption chiller wherein absorption cooling occurs in a single stage
Implementation Method 2
the adsorption module comprises a desiccant wheel/dehumidifier and a heat transfer wheel
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a sustainable growing system for plants, comprising an absorption module and an adsorption module for cooling and dehumidifying an atmosphere of the sustainable growing system respectively, wherein by-products or outputs of the absorption module and adsorption module are completely utilized, thereby enabling an optimized atmosphere inside the sustainable growing system. The sustainable growing system is carbon neutral and results in zero waste of resources.