Floating Greenhouse Heat Exchangers for Low-Energy Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural systems are energy and resource intensive, and there is a need for agricultural systems that can provide favorable growing conditions independent of ambient environmental conditions to minimize food transportation and reduce global CO2 emissions.
Innovation Solution
A greenhouse system that floats on water and utilizes a primary and secondary heat exchanger at different depths to maintain psychrometric conditions and produce water for irrigation, using solar power for fan operation and pump control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional agricultural systems are used to provide favorable growing conditions, then food production can be maintained independent of ambient environmental conditions, but energy consumption and resource intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the greenhouse structure with a floating platform that utilizes body water as a thermal reservoir. The heat exchangers connect the air conditioning system directly to the body water, combining cooling, heating, and humidity control functions into a single integrated system that leverages the thermal mass of the water to reduce energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the body water's thermal properties to self-regulate temperature and humidity. The water naturally absorbs excess heat during the day and releases it during cooler periods, providing passive thermal management that reduces the energy required for active climate control.
2Reliability
If conventional agricultural systems are used to minimize food transportation, then food supply can be secured in regional areas, but resource intensity and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of hot ambient air into a beneficial cooling resource. By using heat exchangers that can operate in reverse, the system absorbs heat from the greenhouse air and transfers it to the body water, effectively using the ambient temperature difference to drive the cooling process and reduce energy consumption.
3Reliability
If psychrometric conditions are maintained using traditional air conditioning systems, then optimal growing conditions can be achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates thermal equipotentiality between the greenhouse air and body water through the heat exchanger network. By maintaining temperature and humidity at balanced levels that match the thermal capacity of the body water, the system minimizes the energy required for active climate control while保持稳定 growing conditions.
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
The system efficiently maintains optimal growing conditions and reduces energy consumption by utilizing solar power for air conditioning and irrigation, minimizing resource intensity and CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger at a first depth below water level; and a second heat exchanger at a second depth below water level
Implementation Method 2
The system efficiently maintains optimal growing conditions and reduces energy consumption by utilizing solar power for air conditioning and irrigation
Implementation Method 3
a solar panel configured to provide electricity to the greenhouse system
Implementation Method 4
a first fan of the plurality of fans is configured to pass air through the first heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A greenhouse system includes an enclosed platform for growing a plant, wherein the enclosed platform is configured to float at water level; a first heat exchanger at a first depth below water level; and a second heat exchanger at a second depth below water level.