Cold Climate Tomato Production Facility

• Main Authors: Abdullah, Suha H., El-Sherif, Omar M., Murayyan, Abdul I., Toupin, Justin D.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 2007
• Subjects: Nunavut; greenhouses; hydroponics; wind power; Arctic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10214/1606

Created in fulfillment of the course requirements for ENGG*3100 Engineering and Design III. This course combines the knowledge gained in the advanced engineering and basic science courses with the design skills taught in ENGG*1100 and ENGG*2100 in solving open-ended problems. These problems are related to the student's major. Additional design tools are presented, including model simulation, sensitivity analysis, linear programming, knowledge-based systems and computer programming. Complementing these tools are discussions on writing and public speaking techniques, codes, safety issues, environmental assessment and professional management. These topics are taught with the consideration of available resources and cost. In this paper, we present a method of producing tomatoes for profit in an isolated Arctic community using only renewable energy sources. A modified rockwool drip hydroponics system was employed, which uses electrodialysis to reclaim effluent nutrient solution. The facility proposed is a modified A-frame greenhouse with highly insulated exterior walls and a slanted roof made of transparent polycarbonate. The facility operates on passive solar radiation that is supplemented by wind power from a 10 kW turbine. A heat exchanging ventilation system is implemented to reduce the amount of heat lost in the winter. A control system is included to partially automate operation and to allow for remote system control and monitoring through the Internet.