Reference number : GC-2017-Q2-00080, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Wang, Liangzhu (Concordia University)|Wang, Liangzhu (Université Concordia), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for Universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : NutraPonics Canada Corp., a Alberta-based company, develops an innovative Indoor Vertical Aquaponics_x000D_
Farming technology: the NutraPonics Growing System (NGS), a commercial plant and fish production system_x000D_
with proprietary growing methods based on the aquaponics for quality food crop production. However, due to_x000D_
large dimension and internal airflow resistance from the beds and plants, the NGS suffers from unbalanced_x000D_
distribution of airflow: 20 m/s at the 1st row of beds whereas reduced to zero m/s at the 2nd row, consequently_x000D_
affecting the desirable levels of temperature and humidity near the plants. Lack of airflow and/or high humidity_x000D_
are found to limit plant transpiration and lead to poor calcium intake for the plants, causing leaf tip burns and_x000D_
necrosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to optimize their NGS's airflow and thermal conditions for creating_x000D_
best growing conditions for the plants._x000D_
This project proposes solving the problem by numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics_x000D_
(CFD) techniques. However, in the case the NGS, the problem becomes complicated by the CFD simulation_x000D_
models based on the porous media models suitable for modeling different plants and for different growth_x000D_
stages. To keep a balance of simulation accuracy and time, therefore, this project takes a novel approach_x000D_
through "model verification and simulations" undertaken by four steps of combining "detailed but scaled_x000D_
simulations" and "simplified full-scale simulations". This project involves many time-consuming CFD_x000D_
simulations and associated analysis so two research assistants are assigned to undertake the tasks_x000D_
simultaneously including one postdoctoral fellow and one PhD student. Two site visits at NutraPonics are also_x000D_
planned: one for 1st month of the project to collect in-situ modeling information and one for the final_x000D_
presentation and future collaborations. This project will contribute significantly to the NGS innovations by_x000D_
tackling the urgent airflow and thermal management issues to ensure healthy and nutrient-rich growing_x000D_
environment for achieving high-quality plant crop production, right here home-grown and branded in Canada., program purpose french : NutraPonics Canada Corp., a Alberta-based company, develops an innovative Indoor Vertical Aquaponics_x000D_
Farming technology: the NutraPonics Growing System (NGS), a commercial plant and fish production system_x000D_
with proprietary growing methods based on the aquaponics for quality food crop production. However, due to_x000D_
large dimension and internal airflow resistance from the beds and plants, the NGS suffers from unbalanced_x000D_
distribution of airflow: 20 m/s at the 1st row of beds whereas reduced to zero m/s at the 2nd row, consequently_x000D_
affecting the desirable levels of temperature and humidity near the plants. Lack of airflow and/or high humidity_x000D_
are found to limit plant transpiration and lead to poor calcium intake for the plants, causing leaf tip burns and_x000D_
necrosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to optimize their NGS's airflow and thermal conditions for creating_x000D_
best growing conditions for the plants._x000D_
This project proposes solving the problem by numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics_x000D_
(CFD) techniques. However, in the case the NGS, the problem becomes complicated by the CFD simulation_x000D_
models based on the porous media models suitable for modeling different plants and for different growth_x000D_
stages. To keep a balance of simulation accuracy and time, therefore, this project takes a novel approach_x000D_
through "model verification and simulations" undertaken by four steps of combining "detailed but scaled_x000D_
simulations" and "simplified full-scale simulations". This project involves many time-consuming CFD_x000D_
simulations and associated analysis so two research assistants are assigned to undertake the tasks_x000D_
simultaneously including one postdoctoral fellow and one PhD student. Two site visits at NutraPonics are also_x000D_
planned: one for 1st month of the project to collect in-situ modeling information and one for the final_x000D_
presentation and future collaborations. This project will contribute significantly to the NGS innovations by_x000D_
tackling the urgent airflow and thermal management issues to ensure healthy and nutrient-rich growing_x000D_
environment for achieving high-quality plant crop production, right here home-grown and branded in Canada., agreement title english : Airflow and Thermal Management in NutraPonics Growing System for Quality Food Crop Production, agreement title french : Airflow and Thermal Management in NutraPonics Growing System for Quality Food Crop Production, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2017-07-12, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada