CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A GREENHOUSE

摘要

A greenhouse environment control system generates a CO2-enriched air which is supplied to a greenhouse at a controlled temperature suitable for plant growth. An absorption chiller reduces temperature of a CO2-containing stream of processed gasses from an engine. A mixing and blending unit maintains CO2 at an acceptable concentration for enhanced plant growth and human occupation. An HVAC system modulates temperature and positively pressurizes the greenhouse with the CO2-enriched air to reduce risk of contaminant intrusion. Misting further controls temperature. Retractable shades regulate light supplied to plants and solar gain.

主权项

1. A greenhouse environment control system comprising
a greenhouse for growing plants, said greenhouse comprising a substantially enclosed structure comprised of a transmissive material that allows passage of sunlight, said substantially enclosed structure defining an interior in which plants may be grown; said environment control system comprising a plurality of subsystems, said plurality of subsystems including a generator subsystem, a gas cooling subsystem, a mixing subsystem, and an HVAC subsystem; said generator subsystem comprising a natural gas fueled engine producing a stream of exhaust gases and an exhaust gas treatment module converting the stream of exhaust gases to a gas stream comprised of nitrogen gas, water vapor and carbon dioxide; said gas cooling subsystem being in fluid communication with the generator subsystem and comprising a plurality of fluidly coupled heat transfer units, said plurality of fluidly coupled heat transfer units reducing the temperature of the gas stream to about 200° F. to 100° F.; said mixing subsystem comprising an inlet fluidly coupled to the gas cooling system, an outlet, a fresh air duct through which fresh air flows, a particle filter associated with the fresh air duct, the fresh air flowing through the fresh air duct being filtered by passing through the particle filter, a mixing chamber in which the gas stream is mixed with filtered fresh air to produce CO2-enriched air, said CO2 enriched air having a concentration of CO2 from about 800 ppm to 2000 ppm, said CO2 enriched air flowing out of the outlet; said HVAC subsystem comprising a plurality of fan coil units, each fan coil unit including a housing defining an interior compartment, a gas inlet being fluidly coupled to the outlet of the mixing subsystem and leading to the interior compartment, a gas outlet leading from the interior compartment, a coil contained in the interior compartment, said coil having an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid flowing through said coil, said fluid being at a temperature effective for cooling the CO2 enriched air, and said interior compartment defining a flow path from the gas inlet of the fan coil unit, over the coil, and out of the gas outlet, said gas outlet being in fluid communication with the interior of the greenhouse.