PH-2172 -- Analysis Design and Performance Evaluation of Controlled-Environment Greenhouses ✓ Most Recent

The basic concept of combined power-water-food facilities already has proved to be feasible for arid coastal regions of the world. In addition to its pilot plant in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, the Environmental Research Laboratory of the University of Arizona is developing a large scale installation for Abu Dhabi, the aim of which is to produce fresh vegetables at low cost.

A desalination plant has been developed and tested since 1961 in Tucson, Ariz. and Puerto Penasco, Mexico, and thermal and economic analyses have been reported. Fig. 1 is a system diagram that indicates various components, namely, the power plant, desalination plant and the controlled-environment greenhouses.

The novel feature of the system is that it is selfsustaining of power and water. Therefore, the only input into the system would be fuel, seawater and the nutrients required for the plants. CO2 is obtaiI).ed from the engine exhaust and is used to enrich the atmosphere in order to promote photosynthesis.

The present analysis covers the heat and mass balance of the controlled environment. Other relevant studies are either available through publications or are still in progress.