Fertilizer desiccant system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Closed-controlled plant environments face challenges in maintaining energy-efficient indoor humidity levels without ventilation, which can lead to plant damage, inadequate nutrient uptake, and increased water usage due to inefficiencies in existing desiccant systems.
Innovation Solution
A fertilizer-based liquid desiccant system that utilizes a concentrated fertilizer solution to create a vapor pressure gradient, driving vapor transport and enabling effective humidity control through a membrane dehumidification process, integrated with a heat exchanger for thermal management and an electronic control unit for optimized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional desiccant systems are used for humidity control in closed-CPEs, then water recovery is achieved, but energy consumption increases and water usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the plants' own transpiration vapor as the source for water recovery, eliminating the need for external water input and creating a self-sustaining water cycle where the output of plant metabolism becomes the input for water recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor during transpiration, vapor to liquid during condensation) to enable water recovery without requiring high-energy phase change processes, utilizing the natural phase changes already occurring in the closed environment
2Ease of operation
If ventilation is used to control humidity in closed-CPEs, then humidity levels are maintained, but water recovery is reduced and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical ventilation systems with a passive vapor pressure-driven water recovery system that uses the natural vapor pressure gradient between transpiration sources and the surrounding air to drive water vapor transport without requiring mechanical energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a membrane as an intermediary that facilitates selective water vapor transport while maintaining the closed environment, allowing humidity control through vapor pressure equilibrium rather than mechanical air exchange
3Ease of operation
If ventilation is used for humidity control, then indoor air quality is maintained, but water is lost to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of excessive humidity (which can lead to plant disease and poor flowering) into a beneficial resource by capturing the transpiration vapor and condensing it back into liquid water for reuse, turning a waste product into a valuable resource
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 system achieves significant water recovery, reduces energy consumption, and maintains healthy indoor conditions by nearly closing the water cycle, promoting efficient humidity and CO2 control, while minimizing pesticide use and enhancing crop yields.
Implementation Method 1
a concentrated fertilizer solution which can establish a vapor pressure gradient between the liquid and indoor ambient air which may drive vapor transport towards the liquid desiccant
Implementation Method 2
vapor transport towards the liquid desiccant
Implementation Method 3
effective humidity control through a membrane dehumidification process
Implementation Method 4
integrated with a heat exchanger for thermal management
Data Source
AI summary
A fertilizer desiccant system including a container for holding a fertilizer-based liquid desiccant, a pump or other supply providing means, a fluid conduit, and air mover. In embodiments, the fertilizer-based liquid desiccant comprises a concentrated fertilizer solution and/or a vapor pressure gradient between the liquid and indoor ambient air drives vapor transport towards the liquid desiccant.