FTE-31306 Greenhouse Technology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

FTE-25303 Building Physics and Climate Engineering and BCT-22803 Physical Transport Phenomena.

Contents:

The content of the course focuses on engineering aspects of greenhouse horticulture systems in interaction with crop growth and development. In a general introduction an analysis of the sector will be presented, followed by the basics of crop growth and development and the physical principles of the greenhouse climate. The main in depth topics of the course are: physics of greenhouse climate, crop production (biological mechanisms, crop growth and development, crop responses to growth factors), management of the aerial environment (functions, manageable parameters and greenhouse climate engineering: radiation management, energy sources and distribution systems, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling systems, screens, CO2-sources and distribution), management of the root environment (factors, tools, control of water and mineral balance, water quality, salinity effects), and greenhouse systems (passive, climate controlled, (semi) closed greenhouse, greenhouse types, constructions, cover materials, and crop systems). The course puts emphasis on calculation and analysis. It aims to prepare for a major in greenhouse engineering.
As a student you will be confronted with systems, theoretical backgrounds and methods that are generally used in analysis of the topics mentioned. You will learn to understand and apply theory, and to analyse problems given to you during the course. Both in exercises (manual exercises and model based exercises) and in trainings on a deeper problem analysis by means of simulation, you will be trained in methods to analyse, predict and evaluate crop production, greenhouse climate, and performance of climate engineering solutions, including integration of these fields of knowledge. Focus is not only on the Dutch situation but also on the international protected cultivation. In an excursion near the end of the course you will visit several locations to see and understand implementations of the learned matter.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to:
- have sufficient knowledge of climate physics, crop science and engineering to solve climate and crop related exercises and problems in greenhouse cultivation that integrate these fields of knowledge;
- understand the physics of the greenhouse climate (energy and mass fluxes and steady state balances);
- know main biological mechanisms in crop growth and development and understand how biological mechanisms are affected by aerial and root zone environment - understand greenhouse design choices based on the needs and demand of the crop;
- understand how technology affects climate management, crop production, root zone management, and resource use efficiency;
- be able to apply this knowledge to protected cultivation design problems in 1) reasoning, 2) calculation and in 3) use of models;
- be able to work with the physics of the greenhouse climate quantitatively in manual calculation and in two simulation model environments;
- be able to analyse the greenhouse demand for resources (heat, electricity, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients) and the performance characteristics of supply equipment (in order to find effective solutions);
- be able to dimension and evaluate climate actuators (supplementary lighting, heating, cooling, humidity, carbon dioxide) in a larger time perspective by means of simulation models;
- be able to work with mechanisms of photosynthesis and of crop growth and development to predict crop dry matter production based on climate and irrigation regimes both for young and mature crops;
- have developed some skill in solving problems mathematically up to the level of sensitivity analysis and one parameter optimisation (for example: optimisation of CO2 enrichment and closed irrigation systems with suboptimal water quality);
- have developed attitude and skill to solve problems based on crop science, physics, and engineering by means of a mathematical approach of these problems.

Activities:

- lectures;
- exercises;
- practical training;
- excursion.

Examination:

- during course weekly electronic exams (calculated formulas as written exam with electronic answer; open book exam) (100% of final grade);
- individual training assignments (to be passed, not part of final grade). Rest of the year one electronic exam (calculated formulas as written exam with electronic answer; open book exam).