The optimum design of the air-conditioning system of a plant factory with a high-efficient water use and the effect of its higher humidity condition on growth in plants

Abstract

The authors designed the optimal air-conditioning system of the greenhouse which minimizes the water and energy by computer simulation. In this design, a heat balance model and water balance model in the green house were constructed and they were considered to be constrained conditions. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the influence of the plant on this condition, the effect of higher relative humidity levels on the growth chambers of cucumber seedlings were also investigated. Three higher relative humidity conditions, RH74.5%, 86% and 97.8%, were taken into consideration in the experiment. Consequently, it was useful to introduce the fog cooling system, thermal storage mediums, ice from the desalination process and gas absorption refrigerator with dehumidification ability. It was suggested that the dry matter production was increased because of maximum photosynthetic rate and expansion of leaf areas by higher humidity.