JP5193235B2 - Fully controlled plant factory system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fully-controlled plant factory system for growing plants in an artificial environment cut off from the outside.

  A plant factory is a new farming method that is produced in buildings throughout the year, regardless of the climate and season, rather than the traditional agriculture of growing crops suitable for the region in the open ground or in the greenhouse. There are several types of plant factories, for example, a sunlight utilization type, an artificial light utilization type, and a combination type of both.

In a fully-controlled plant factory, the outside air is completely blocked so that dust and insects do not enter, and the optimal amount of light, cultivation nutrient solution, and environment such as temperature, humidity, and CO ₂ concentration are artificially grown for growing the crops to be cultivated. Is built. Leafy vegetables can be harvested 8-9 times a year and are efficient. It can also be located in urban areas and has the advantage of not using insecticides and pesticides.

  Currently, the world food supply and demand is balanced except in some parts of Africa, but the inventory of grain exporting countries is decreasing year by year. Ten years later, in addition to population growth, global warming, extreme weather, and desertification are said to cause a shortage of world food.

  The plant cultivation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 circulates air between a plant cultivation space and a lighting fixture by a blower, and provides a humidifier at an upstream portion of the lighting fixture. Thereby, by evaporating the water from a humidifier with the heat | fever of a lighting fixture, while cooling a lighting fixture, the humidification of the circulating air is performed and the humidity of about 70% suitable for plant cultivation is maintained.

  At first, high pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, fluorescent lamps, and the like were used as artificial luminous flux sources to replace sunlight. However, in the fully-controlled organic plant plant described in Patent Document 2, A light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source in a building in which the light is completely blocked.

JP-A-6-245651 JP-A-10-178901

  Today, Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is 40%. Improving the self-sufficiency rate is an urgent issue for food defense in the future when food shortages are expected. A fully-controlled plant factory is one of the leading food production methods to improve the self-sufficiency rate, but the biggest problem is that the power consumption for adjusting the luminous flux source and temperature and humidity is large. In particular, much of the power is spent on electric air conditioners for cooling and dehumidification.

In temperature management, cooling is more problematic than heating. The heating required when the temperature is lower than the optimum temperature can be adequately handled even in cold regions by using a heat-generating light source (such as a fluorescent tube). In that case, the light source can be used together with heating. You can save money.
On the other hand, with regard to the cooling required when the temperature is higher than the optimum temperature, it is impossible to cope with the effects of an increase in the outside air temperature in summer, etc., by replacing the heat-generating light source with a non-heat-generating light source (LED). It is. Therefore, cooling is essential.

  Moreover, in humidity management, the humidity suitable for plant cultivation is about 70 to 76%. In plant factories, hydroponics or mist (water spray) cultivation is carried out, so that if the dehumidification is not performed, the humidity becomes excessive, and appropriate humidity cannot be maintained. Therefore, dehumidification is also essential.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a fully controlled plant factory system that performs cooling and dehumidification using only natural energy.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following configurations. Note that the numbers in parentheses are reference numerals in the drawings showing examples to be described later, and are attached for reference.
The fully controlled plant factory system according to the present invention is:
An outer wall (14) that blocks outside air;
A plant factory (11) provided with an exhaust duct (2) for sucking air and an intake duct (6) for supplying air and a plant growth shelf (11A);
A heat exchange chamber (12) provided with an outward duct (3) and a return duct (5) communicating with the exhaust duct (2) and the intake duct (6) of the plant factory (11), respectively;
An ice chamber (13) provided with an ice chamber duct (4) communicating with the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and containing snow ice (13A);
A blower (22,66) for sending air from the exhaust duct to the intake duct;
A drain (8) for discharging dew condensation water generated inside the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and the ice chamber duct (4) of the ice chamber (13),
The air sucked by the exhaust duct of the plant factory is cooled while passing through the forward duct of the heat exchange chamber and the ice chamber duct of the ice chamber, and then passes through the return duct of the heat exchange chamber. While being heated, the condensed water is generated and dehumidified during the passage, and is supplied by the intake duct of the plant factory.

  In a preferred example of the above system, a drain collecting tank (9) for collecting the dew condensation water discharged from the drain (8) is provided.

  In a preferred example of the above system, the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air taken in by the exhaust duct of the plant factory (11), or the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the inlet duct (6) Can be changed by the air volume of the blower (22, 62).

  In a preferred example of the above system, the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air taken in by the exhaust duct of the plant factory (11), or the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the inlet duct (6) Can be changed by the length of at least one of the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and the ice chamber duct (4) of the ice chamber (13).

  In a preferred example of the above system, at least one of the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and the ice chamber duct (4) of the ice chamber (13) protrudes from the outer periphery thereof. A plurality of fins (F) are provided.

  In a preferred example of the above system, the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air taken in by the exhaust duct of the plant factory (11), or the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the inlet duct (6) Can be changed by adjusting the number or size of the plurality of fins (F).

  The fully-controlled plant factory system according to the present invention is characterized in that air-conditioning, particularly cooling and dehumidification of a sealed plant factory that blocks outside air is performed using only the melting latent heat of snow and ice. The air in the plant factory is sucked in through the exhaust duct, circulated through the heat exchange chamber and the ice chamber, naturally dehumidified and dehumidified, and then sent to the plant factory and supplied by the inlet duct. The temperature and humidity of the air taken in from the exhaust duct are, for example, 26 ° C. and 76%, and these temperatures and humidity correspond to the optimum temperature and humidity of the plant factory. The temperature and humidity of the air supplied from the intake duct are, for example, 18 ° C. and 52%, and these temperatures and humidity are appropriate for maintaining the plant factory at the optimum temperature and humidity described above. Corresponds to temperature and humidity for adjustment.

  The temperature and humidity of the ice room are 0 ° C. and 100%, but by providing a heat exchange room between the ice room and the plant factory, an appropriate temperature and humidity are controlled to control the temperature and humidity of the plant factory. It can be converted into air. Moisture dehumidified from the air in this circulation process is discharged from the drain as condensed water.

  The system can continue to operate for a long period of time as long as enough ice is contained in the ice compartment. During the operation, a part of the air in the plant factory in which the temperature and humidity are in equilibrium is exhausted, and at the same time, fresh air dehumidified and dehumidified is supplied. As a result, the plant factory is circulated. The optimum temperature and humidity conditions can be maintained.

  The power required for cooling and dehumidification in this system is at most necessary for driving the blower, and power consumption can be significantly reduced compared to conventional systems using air conditioners with cooling and dehumidifying functions. Can do. In addition, by using snowfall and icing in winter as snow ice stored in the ice compartment, this system can be operated only with natural energy.

  By collecting the condensed water discharged from the drain in the drain collection tank, it can be reused as a cultivation nutrient solution.

  By providing a plurality of fins protruding from the outer periphery of each duct, the heat exchange efficiency between the air in the duct and the air in each room can be increased.

  The set values of the temperature and humidity of the air taken in from the exhaust duct or the set values of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied from the intake duct can be changed to be optimum as necessary. Specifically, it can be performed by adjusting the air volume of the blower, the length of each duct installed in the heat exchange chamber and the ice chamber, or the number of fins protruding from the outer periphery of each duct. Normally, if it is set at the initial stage, it can be operated without maintenance thereafter.

It is the partially cutaway perspective view which showed the principal part of the complete control type plant factory system by this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plant factory part in the fully controlled plant factory system shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the complete control type plant factory system shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the mode of recovery of dew condensation water by drain. It is a perspective view which shows the suitable example of the outward duct of a heat exchange room, a return duct, and the ice compartment duct of an ice compartment. It is a humid air line figure explaining the effect of the fully controlled type plant factory system of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main part of a fully controlled plant factory system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 is constructed inside a sealed outer wall 14 that blocks outside air. In the illustrated example, the outer wall 14 forms a building having a shape in which a semi-cylinder is placed horizontally, but is not limited to this shape. The outer wall 14 can be constructed from any material such as concrete, steel, plastic, etc., but in any case, a highly heat insulating structure may be used and a heat insulating material may be used as appropriate. The inside of the outer wall 14 is divided into three sections in the longitudinal direction, and each section is partitioned by heat insulating partition walls 15 and 16. The three sections are a plant factory 11, a heat exchange chamber 12, and an ice chamber 13.

  The first section is a plant factory 11 for growing plants. The plant factory 11 is the widest section in the present system. Although only a part of the plant factory 11 is shown in FIG. On the floor, plant growth shelves, cultivation nutrient solution supply facilities and the like (not shown) are appropriately installed. An exhaust duct 2 and an intake duct 6 extending horizontally in the axial direction are installed in the vicinity of the zenith. One end of the exhaust duct 2 and the intake duct 6 passes through a partition wall 15 with the heat exchange chamber 12 and communicates with the duct in the heat exchange chamber 12. The other ends of the exhaust duct 2 and the intake duct 6 are closed. The exhaust duct 2 is for sucking the air in the plant factory 11, and a plurality of suction ports 21 are provided downward at predetermined intervals on the lower surface of the duct. The air intake duct 6 is for supplying air into the plant factory 11, and a plurality of supply ports 51 are horizontally provided at predetermined intervals on both side surfaces of the duct.

  The second section is a heat exchange chamber 12 for performing heat exchange between the air sucked from the plant factory 11 and the air cooled in the ice chamber 13. An outward duct 3 and a return duct 5 are provided in the heat exchange chamber 12. Here, “outward trip” and “return trip” are names when the plant factory 11 is viewed as a starting point of air flow.

  One end of the forward duct 3 passes through the partition wall 15 with the plant factory 11 and communicates with the exhaust duct 2. In the heat exchange chamber 12, the end of the forward duct 3 is once lowered from the vicinity of the zenith to the vicinity of the floor, and again near the zenith. The other end passes through the partition wall 16 with the ice chamber 13 and communicates with the duct in the ice chamber 13.

  The return duct 5 includes two ducts, one end of which passes through the partition wall 16 with the ice chamber 13 and communicates with the duct in the ice chamber 13, and two in the heat exchange chamber 12. The duct is once lowered from the vicinity of the zenith portion to the vicinity of the floor and then again raised to the vicinity of the zenith portion. And communicates with the intake duct 6.

  The third section is an ice chamber 13 that contains snow and ice. Here, “snow and ice” includes any of the case of using only snow, the case of using only ice, or the case of using both. Further, the snow and ice may be natural snowfall or freezing, or artificial snow or ice, but from the viewpoint of energy saving, it is more preferable to use natural snow and ice.

  The ice chamber 13 is provided with an ice chamber duct 4. One end of the ice chamber duct 4 passes through the partition wall 16 with the heat exchange chamber 12 in the vicinity of the zenith portion, communicates with the forward duct 3 in the heat exchange chamber 12, and two ducts in the vicinity of the zenith portion. Branching into the vicinity of the floor and penetrating the partition wall 16 to communicate with the two forward ducts 5 in the heat exchange chamber 12.

  The exhaust duct 2, the forward duct 3, the ice compartment duct 4, the return duct 5, and the intake duct 6 are ducts for circulating air over three sections. In order to send air into these ducts, an appropriate blower is provided. For example, the in-line fans 22 and 66 provided in the exhaust duct 2 and the intake duct 6. In FIG. 1, the flow of air in each duct is indicated by arrows.

  The forward duct 3 and the return duct 5 of the heat exchange chamber 12 and the ice chamber duct 4 of the ice chamber 13 are each provided with a drain 8 at the lowest position of each duct in order to discharge condensed water generated in the pipe. Although not shown, the drain 8 and the drain collection tank 9 are connected by an appropriate means. The water collected in the drain collection tank 9 is used for cultivation nutrient solution.

  The air sucked by the exhaust duct 2 of the plant factory 11 is reduced in temperature while passing through the forward duct 3 of the heat exchange chamber 12 and further reduced in temperature while passing through the ice chamber duct 4 of the ice chamber 13. The heat is again heated while entering the heat exchange chamber 12 and passing through the return duct 5, and dewed water is generated and dehumidified while passing through the heat exchange chamber 12 and the ice chamber 13. In this way, the dehumidified and dehumidified air is supplied by the intake duct 6 of the plant factory 11.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the plant factory 11 in the fully controlled plant factory system 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the fully controlled plant factory system 1 shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 2, two rows of plant growth shelves 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B are arranged symmetrically, and an air flow is formed as indicated by arrows. The air blown left and right from the inlet 61 of the inlet duct 6 descends along the inner surface of the cylindrical outer wall 14, passes through the plant growth shelves 11A and 11B so as to make a circle by hitting the floor, and near the center. It rises again and is sucked into the exhaust port 21 of the exhaust duct 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ice chamber 13 is loaded with, for example, a stainless or plastic container, and ice and snow 13A are accommodated in each container.

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the state of collection of condensed water by the drain 8. The air flowing through the forward duct 3 and the return duct 5 of the heat exchange chamber and the ice chamber duct 5 of the ice chamber may cause dew condensation due to temperature changes. Accordingly, the drain 8 is attached to the lowest position BL of these ducts 3, 4, and 5, and the condensed water is guided to the drain collection tank 9 by an appropriate water supply pipe 91. By installing the water supply pipe 91 and the drain collecting tank 9 below the lowest position BL, condensed water can be stored without using a pump or the like.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a preferable example of the forward duct 3 and the return duct 5 of the heat exchange chamber and the ice chamber duct 5 of the ice chamber. A plurality of fins F protrude from the outer periphery of the cylindrical duct at a predetermined interval. The fin F has a flat plate shape. Thereby, the surface area of a duct can be increased and heat exchange efficiency can be improved. Heat exchange efficiency can be controlled by adjusting the number of fins F attached to a certain length of the duct. Therefore, the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air sucked by the exhaust duct of the plant factory 11 or the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the intake duct 6 is set to the number of fins F of any duct. It can be changed by adjusting. Alternatively, it can be changed by enlarging or reducing the size (surface area) of one fin F.

  Further, the heat exchange efficiency between the air in each duct and the air in the heat exchange chamber 12 or the ice chamber 13 can be controlled by the length of each duct or by the air volume of the blower. Therefore, the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air taken in by the exhaust duct of the plant factory 11 or the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the intake duct 6 is set to the length of any duct, or It can be changed according to the air volume of the blower.

  Set values of the optimum temperature and humidity of the plant factory 11 (that is, the temperature and humidity of the air sucked by the exhaust duct 2), or the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the inlet duct 6 (that is, the air for adjustment) The set values of temperature and humidity are usually set in the initial stage, and thereafter, can be used almost maintenance-free. What is necessary is just to adjust optimally every season, such as summer or winter, or when changing the kind of cultivated plant.

  FIG. 6 is a moist air diagram illustrating the effect of the fully controlled plant factory system 1 of the present invention. As an example, the optimum temperature and humidity of the plant factory 11 are 26 ° C. and 76% (point a). The air taken in by the exhaust duct 2 is reduced in temperature through the heat exchange chamber 12 and further reduced in the ice chamber 13. The ice chamber 13 is at 0 ° C. where ice and water coexist and has a relative humidity of 100% (point b). Then, it is sent again to the heat exchange chamber 12. In the heat exchange chamber 12, the temperature and humidity of the air are 18 ° C. and 52% (point c). This air is supplied to the plant factory 11 by the intake duct 6. In this way, the temperature and humidity of the plant factory 11 can be maintained in an optimal equilibrium state by constantly supplying cool air of low humidity.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fully controlled plant factory system 2 Exhaust duct 21 Exhaust port 22 Inline blower for exhaust 3 Outbound duct 4 Ice chamber duct 5 Return duct 6 Inlet duct 61 Inlet 62 Inline fan for inlet 8 Drain 9 Drain recovery tank 11 Plant factory 11A, 11B Plant growth shelf 12 Heat exchange chamber 13 Ice chamber 13A Ice and snow 15, 16 Bulkhead

Claims (6)

An outer wall (14) that blocks outside air;
A plant factory (11) provided with an exhaust duct (2) for sucking air and an intake duct (6) for supplying air and a plant growth shelf (11A);
A heat exchange chamber (12) provided with an outward duct (3) and a return duct (5) communicating with the exhaust duct (2) and the intake duct (6) of the plant factory (11), respectively;
An ice chamber (13) provided with an ice chamber duct (4) communicating with the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and containing snow ice (13A);
A blower (22,66) for sending air from the exhaust duct to the intake duct;
A drain (8) for discharging dew condensation water generated inside the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and the ice chamber duct (4) of the ice chamber (13),
The air sucked by the exhaust duct of the plant factory is cooled while passing through the forward duct of the heat exchange chamber and the ice chamber duct of the ice chamber, and then passes through the return duct of the heat exchange chamber. A fully-controlled plant factory system that is heated and dehydrated while passing therethrough and dehumidified and supplied by an intake duct of the plant factory.   The fully-controlled plant factory system according to claim 1, further comprising a drain collection tank (9) for collecting the dew condensation water discharged from the drain (8).   The set value of the temperature and humidity of the air sucked by the exhaust duct of the plant factory (11), or the set value of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the inlet duct (6), the blower (22, 62. The fully controlled plant factory system according to claim 1 or 2, which can be changed by the air volume of 62).   The set values of the temperature and humidity of the air taken in by the exhaust duct of the plant factory (11), or the set values of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the intake duct (6) are stored in the heat exchange chamber ( The forward duct (3) and the backward duct (5) of 12) and the ice chamber duct (4) of the ice chamber (13) can be changed according to the length of at least one duct. Fully controlled plant factory system as described in.   A plurality of fins (F) in which at least one of the forward duct (3) and the return duct (5) of the heat exchange chamber (12) and the ice chamber duct (4) of the ice chamber (13) protrude from the outer periphery thereof The fully-controlled plant factory system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:   The set values of the temperature and humidity of the air sucked by the exhaust duct of the plant factory (11), or the set values of the temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the inlet duct (6) are set to the plurality of fins ( 6. The fully-controlled plant factory system according to claim 5, which can be changed by adjusting the number or size of F).

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