Air Amplifiers for Perpendicular Canopy Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems face challenges in achieving uniform airflow and managing vapor pressure difference (VPD) effectively, leading to inefficient use of space and energy, as well as compromised air delivery due to large ductwork that interferes with plant growth.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a novel airflow system that directs air perpendicular to the plant canopy using strategically positioned air amplifiers and localized air-moving devices, such as muffin fans, to enhance air induction and entrainment, thereby optimizing VPD and conserving space and energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large ductwork is used to deliver air to the canopy, then sufficient air volume is provided, but space is wasted and plant growth is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air delivery function into multiple small distributed air movers positioned throughout the facility rather than using one or two large ducts. Each air mover serves a specific zone, delivering air directly to the canopy without requiring large centralized ductwork, thus maximizing space utilization while providing sufficient air volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Air movers act as intermediary devices between the air source and the canopy, using air amplifiers to multiply the airflow. This allows small air movers to deliver large volumes of air to the canopy through air induction and entrainment, eliminating the need for large ducts while maintaining sufficient air delivery.
2Reliability
If air velocity is increased to remove saturated vapor from the leaf boundary layer, then VPD management is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses air amplifiers that leverage the plant's own transpiration and heat to drive airflow. The air amplifiers are positioned to use the temperature difference between the warm air rising from the canopy and the cooler ambient air to induce and entrain large volumes of air, reducing the energy required by the air movers while maintaining effective VPD management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs air amplifiers that use pneumatic principles to multiply airflow. By creating a pressure differential and using air induction, the system can generate high air velocities at the canopy without requiring high-power air movers, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable VPD control.
3Device complexity
If air is delivered parallel to the canopy, then the airflow system is simple, but uniform air distribution and heat transfer are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of delivering air parallel to the canopy as in traditional systems, the invention inverts the approach by delivering air perpendicular to the canopy through distributed air movers. This perpendicular delivery, combined with air amplification, creates uniform air distribution and enhances heat transfer while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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
This approach ensures uniform air distribution and improved heat transfer, leading to enhanced plant growth by maintaining optimal VPD and reducing energy consumption while maximizing space utilization in multilayered CEA facilities.
Implementation Method 1
An efficient way to achieve sufficient air volume to the canopy is by using air amplifiers that use a primary airflow that locally induces another airflow
Implementation Method 2
Assuming an amplified air induction ration of 10:1, only 8 ft3/m/ft2 of primary air is needed to generate 80 ft3/m/ft2 of total
Implementation Method 3
many experts recommend an air velocity of 60 to 100 f/m (0.3-0.5 m/s) to remove the saturated vapor of the leaf boundary layer
Implementation Method 4
VPD is the force that moves water, with nutrients, through a plant. It is calculated by subtracting the room vapor pressure (VP) (VP of the air surrounding the plants) from the plant VP
Implementation Method 5
Wind removes a plant's waste products—oxygen and water vapor—cools the leaves' surface from the radiant heat delivered with sunlight
Implementation Method 6
Plants depend on 1) A suitable climate and water with nutrients, 2) Carbon dioxide (CO2), and 3) Photosynthesis for growth
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-efficient and space-saving apparatus, arrangement, and method for managing vapor pressure difference in multilayered controlled-environment agriculture cultivation facilities includes a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and dehumidification (HVACD) system. The HVACD system precisely controls temperature, humidity, and room vapor pressure of delivered air. The resulting air flow is also delivered locally, being directed downward and substantially perpendicular toward the canopy of the plants being cultivated. Speakers and/or vibration generators are also used to direct sounds and/or vibrations locally onto the canopy of the plants being cultivated, to break up the boundary layer on the surfaces of the leaves, to aid in the release of heat and humidity from the surfaces of the leaves into the surrounding air, for processing by the temperature and humidity control system.