EXPLORING APPROPRIATE FORM FOR PROTOTYPE HYDROPONIC VERTICAL FARM
By
SHEHRYAR KHAN CE-13-AR-21
Supervised by:
Dr. BHAI KHAN SHAR (Professor)
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ARTS AND DESIGN
MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO, SINDH, PAKISTAN
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Architecture
SEPTEMBER 2017 i
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ARTS AND DESIGN, MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO, SINDH, PAKISTAN
CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the work presented in this project report/thesis EXPLORING APPROPRAITE FORM FOR PROTOTYPE HYDROPONIC VERTICAL FARM has been entirely written by SHEHRYAR KHAN having Roll No. CE-13AR-21 himself under the supervision of Dr. BHAI KHAN SHAR
Project/Thesis Supervisor
External Examiner/Examination Committee ______________________
Dr. BHAI KHAN SHAR
______________________
Ar. Ata-ul-Munim Bullo Chairman Department of Architecture
Dated: _____________
ii
DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated to
MY FATHER, Who taught me that the best kind of knowledge to have is that is learned for its own sake, his trust and financial support without any interest And It is also dedicated to
MY MOTHER, Who taught me that even the largest task can be accomplished if it is done one step at a time And To my beloved and kind
BROTHERS, Who help me in my life and matters with where ever I stuck in.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Thanking Allah almighty for all his blessings who gave me courage and knowledge to complete my research. I would like to thank my PARENTS who ever helped me in my whole life and my BROTHER’S because of them I was free from worries. With this I am thankful to my advisor Dr. BHAI KHAN SHAR who was always there for me and gave me his precious time. I would also thank to my H.O.D AR. ATTA UL MONIM BULLO and respectful teachers. I am also thankful to AR. FAHAD SHAMS NIZAMANI whose true criticism built my confidence in research. I am heartily thankful to MR. SHUJAUDDIN AHMED junior Architect at NESPAK and DANISH ALI TARIQ Horticulture officer at CWO for kind suggestions about thesis research. I am grateful to my closest friends, seniors and class mates, who really helped me out and gives advices to do better and special thanks to beloved friends SUNDUS ASSA ANSARI, SIDRAT UL MUNTEHA and ZUBAIR SHAH who really supported me for the betterment of my flaws and filled five years with everlasting happiness and memories. I would also like to register my sincere thanks to my friends Mr. TARIQ KARIM, Mr. ZAHID ALI, Mr. FIYYAZ ZEHRI, MR. MUZZAFAR Ali, MR. HANZLA ALI and MR SHAHRYAR SAMOO.
Thank you all.
iv
ABSTRACT
Urbanization has become an increasingly critical issue as “50 percent of the world population lives in urban areas and is predicted to continue growing to 70 percent by 2050”. Said Dr. Dickson Despommier. “Almost 70% of the world’s fresh water reserves are used for agriculture. And, nearly 40% of the Earth’s total landmass is now being used to support soil-based farming, with over 80% of the world’s land available for agriculture now in use”, Said Kubala Washatko. So for this it is need to grow soilless and vertically. Vertical farms are multi-storey buildings with controlled environmental conditions and that houses year-round crop production by using hydroponics. The proposed vertical farm is to be powered by solar and wind energy to mitigate the required high-energy consumption of the controlled internal environment. With this, feasibility and form of the prototype vertical farm has been explored in this thesis which can penetrate maximum sun light in to it. The method that has been adopted for this thesis research included three case studies that are Pasona HQ, Japan. Agro-Housing, Wuhan, China. Hydroponic greenhouse USA. Surveys carried out in hydroponic farms focusing on different functions and areas for a deeper understanding of spaces. Interviews were conducted with the expert Agronomist and architects which facilitated in realizing feasibility of prototype at Tando jam and how the prototype hydroponic vertical farm will function. Internet research was conducted for the purpose of why as there a requirement of vertical farms, what type of spaces were essential, an understanding of type of function and physical parameters that will effect on farming. Online shadow calculator (Gaisma) had used for solar energy to calculate the behavior of proposed form in summer and winter solstices. Report of Pakistan Metrology Department has studied to find out wind potential at Tando jam. Literature were reviewed to understand the current situation of hydroponic farming in Pakistan and what work and techniques had been adopted internationally for vertical farming, SketchUp and other software’s were used to test render of form for the prototype vertical farm. By all these research it was found that it has potential in vertical farming by nearer future of Pakistan and some like hexagon form having inclined south facades at angle of 60 degree can penetrate maximum sun light in to it and is most appropriate proposed prototype form of vertical farm.
v
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK
This thesis book is about the study of prototype vertical farming. Vertical farming can involve animal
husbandry, aquaculture, agroforestry, urban
beekeeping,
and horticulture. The increasing demand of vertical farming in urban cities is also part of this study. In research also study about the techniques used for the vertical farming. It included both soilless and soil base farming. In soil less farming hydroponic and aeroponics are used. Data analysis and case studies on hydroponic vertical farming has done to find growing methods and benefits over various traditional techniques. The research is on natural resources of sunlight and wind that can make vertical farm more sustainable. The most focus of research is on form of the prototype hydroponic vertical farm at Tando jam Agriculture University which can penetrate maximum sunlight in to building and can provide sufficient solar and wind energy. Wavelength of lights that is need to grow and harvesting of vegetables are also studied in it. The thesis seeks a site which has the potential for several factors: site accessibility, renewable resources, solar exposure, wind energy and integration into the community. Furthermore the vegetable to grow will tomato and lettuce as it has vast research on these vegetables.
CHAPTER 01 In this chapter, feasibility, need, scope and methodology has been described. The purpose of the study, the goals, are discussed. With this evolution of farming has discussed. CHAPTER 02 The basic vertical farming techniques are discussed and advantages of Hydroponics vertical farming over Traditional horizontal farming are included to analyses the best suitable method for vertical farming. CHAPTER 03 In this chapter literature has reviewed to understand the national and international current situation of vertical farming. With this to get know about the association and institutions that are working on it. vi
CHAPTER 04 In this chapter analysis in term of various factors are done including suitable crops, seasons, economic viability, annual crop losses, and comparative yield to understand the demand of hydroponic vertical farm and the report of SMEDA on high tech farming is also part of this chapter. CHAPTER 05 Case studies on the building type related to vertical farming is included in to this chapter. With this a case study on the hydroponic farming also included in it to understand the process and mechanism. It also depict about the requirements of hydroponic farming CHAPTER 06 In this chapter World energy demand and
ranking
of
energy technologies
for
producing electricity has been discussed. With this light services in photosynthesis, effect of light on plant, natural and artificial lighting system in vertical farming are included.
CHAPTER 07 In this chapter site selection and comparative analysis of three sites are depicted. Furthermore available potential of generating electricity i-e wind, sunlight and water resources has been analyzed in it. CHAPTER 08 In this chapter form of the vertical farm has explored that can penetrate maximum sun light in to it by using Google Sketch Up. With this some test render during summer and winter solstices are also discussed in it. CHAPTER 09
vii
In this chapter requirement for vertical farm, architectural spaces, workforce space and infrastructure integration has discussed. Areas calculation and zoning are also part of this chapter. With this hydroponic system specifications and water requirement are calculated in it.
viii
TITLE……………………………………………………………………………….….i CERTIFICATE………………………………………………………………………..ii DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………….….iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………………iv ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………......….v INTRODUCTION TO BOOK………………………………………………………..vi TABLES OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………...01 LIST OF FIGURE……………………………………………………………………10 LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………13 LIST OF CHARTS…………………………………………………………………...14
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER NO 01……………………………………………………………………15 1
VERTICAL FARMING ...................................................................................... 15 1.1
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 15
1.2
CONCEPT..................................................................................................... 15
1.3
BACKGROUND ........................................................................................... 16
1.4
CHALLENGES ............................................................................................. 17
1.5
ENVIRONMENTAL HARM ....................................................................... 18
1.5.1
FOOD SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS ................................................ 18
1.5.2
RURAL DWELLERS RATIO .............................................................. 18
1.6
METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 19
1.7
PROBLEM .................................................................................................... 19
1.8
SCOPE .......................................................................................................... 20
1.9
NEED ............................................................................................................ 20
1.10
OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................ 21
1.11
ADVANTAGES ........................................................................................ 21 1
1.12
MOTIVATION .......................................................................................... 22
1.13
HYPOTHESIS ........................................................................................... 22
1.14
EVOLUTION ............................................................................................ 23
1.15
SUMMARY............................................................................................... 23
CHAPTER NO: 02 ...................................................................................................... 25 2
HYDROPONICS FARMING .............................................................................. 25 2.1
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 25
2.2
WHY MAKE THE INVESTMENT ............................................................. 26
2.3
TRADITIONAL METHODS ....................................................................... 26
2.4
SUSTAINABLE METHODS ....................................................................... 27
2.5
HYDROPONICS .......................................................................................... 27
2.6
APPARATUS ............................................................................................... 28
2.7
AEROPONICS .............................................................................................. 28
2.8
HYDROPONICS VS. TRADITIONAL HORIZONTAL FARMING ......... 29
2.8.1
PROCESS CONTROL .......................................................................... 30
2.8.2
PLANT GROWTH RATE ..................................................................... 30
2.8.3
LOCATION ........................................................................................... 30
2.8.4
COST ..................................................................................................... 30
2.8.5
SPACE ................................................................................................... 31
2.8.6
SOIL ....................................................................................................... 31
2.8.7
CONSERVATION ................................................................................ 31
2.8.8
SPEED AND CLIMATE ....................................................................... 31
2.8.9
EQUIPMENT, LABOUR AND TIME COSTS .................................... 32
2.9 2.10
DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS.................................................. 32 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................... 32
CHAPTER NO: 03 ...................................................................................................... 33 3
LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................... 33 2
3.1
BACKGROUND OF VERTICAL FARMING ............................................ 33
3.2
WORLD POPULATION .............................................................................. 33
3.3
LAND ERROSION ....................................................................................... 33
3.4
CAPITAL ...................................................................................................... 33
3.5
HYDROPONIC SYSTEM FOR VEGETABLE........................................... 34
3.6
CRITICISM ................................................................................................... 34
3.7
OPINIONS IN FAVOUR ............................................................................. 34
3.7.1
SUMMER DAY..................................................................................... 34
3.7.2
ILLUMINATION .................................................................................. 35
3.7.3
SKY IS THE LIMIT .............................................................................. 35
3.7.4
CARBON OFFSETS ............................................................................. 35
3.7.5
WATER USE EFFICIENCY ................................................................. 35
3.7.6
EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS .................................................................. 36
3.7.7
NUTRITION AND TASTE ................................................................... 36
3.8
AEROPONICS ............................................................................................ 37
3.9
HYDROPONIC FODDER............................................................................ 37
3.10
FARMERS MARKET IN PAKISTAN ..................................................... 38
3.11
HYDROPONIC FARMING HELPS ACHIEVE AGRI. TARGETS ....... 38
3.12
CONCEPT VIABILITY ............................................................................ 39
3.13
ASSOCIATIONS AND INSTITUTION................................................... 39
3.14
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................... 39
CHAPTER NO 04........................................................................................................ 41 4
DATA ANALYSIS OF PROTOTYPE VERTICAL FARMING ....................... 41 4.1
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 41
4.2
SEASONS OF CULTIVATION ................................................................... 41
4.3
MAJOR CROPS............................................................................................ 41
4.4
CROP DAMAGE .......................................................................................... 42 3
4.5
AGRO ECONOMY LOSSES ....................................................................... 42
4.6
FOSSIL FUELS, TRANSPORT AND WASTING ...................................... 42
4.7
ANNUALLY HARVESTED TOMATOES WASTES ................................ 43
4.8
CROPS SUITABLE FOR HYDROPONIC VERTICAL FARMING .......... 43
4.9
CONSUMPTION OF SOILLESS FARMING SYSTEM ............................ 44
4.10
THE VERTICAL FARMING ARCHITECTURE .................................... 44
4.10.1
WATER REQUIREMENT .................................................................... 45
4.10.2
LIGHT.................................................................................................... 45
4.10.3
VEGETABLES MINIMUM SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENT ............... 45
4.10.4
NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS .................................................................... 45
4.10.5
TECHNOLOGIES SELECTED FOR GROWING AND HARVESTING …………………………………………………………………………46
4.11
DESIGN POTENTIAL.............................................................................. 46
4.12
ECONOMIC VIABILITY ......................................................................... 46
4.13
A THEORETICAL CONSTRUCT OF A VERTICAL FARM ................ 47
4.13.1
FUELLING THE FARM AND WATER SUPPLY .............................. 47
4.13.2
CROPS GROWING FLOORS, FORM AND FUNCTION .................. 47
4.13.3
BUILDING DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM LIGHT EFFICIENCY .... 47
4.13.4
BOTTOM FLOOR................................................................................. 48
4.14
AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN PAKISTAN ..................................... 48
4.15
FAREED FARMHOUSE ANALYSIS ..................................................... 49
4.16
TESTING OF HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE...................................... 50
4.17
SMEDA REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF HYDROPONIC.................... 50
4.17.1
CAPITAL INVESTMENT .................................................................... 50
4.17.2
COMPARATIVE YIELDS ................................................................... 51
4.18
CONCLUSION ......................................................................................... 51
CHAPTER 05 .............................................................................................................. 52
4
5
CASESTUDY ...................................................................................................... 52 5.1
PASONA HQ, TOKYO. ............................................................................... 52
5.1.1
IMPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN ............................. 53
5.1.2
FAÇADE AND MATERIAL ................................................................ 54
5.1.3
INTERIOR CEILING HEIGHTS .......................................................... 54
5.1.4
FARMING TECHNIQUES ................................................................... 55
5.1.5
PLANNING AND SECTION................................................................ 56
5.1.6
REDUCE ABSENTEEISM AND STAFF TURNOVER COST .......... 60
5.2
AGRO-HOUSING: WUHAN CHINA ......................................................... 60
5.2.1
THE AGRO-HOUSING ASSEMBLAGE ............................................ 61
5.2.2
CONCEPT ............................................................................................. 62
5.2.3
GREENHOUSE COMPONENTS ......................................................... 62
5.2.4
AGRO-HOUSING AND SUSTAINABILITY ..................................... 63
5.2.5
NATURAL RESOURCES & CLIMATE CONTROL.......................... 64
5.2.6
WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE .......................................... 65
5.2.7
AXONOMETRIC PROGRAM OF AGRO-HOUSING ....................... 66
5.2.8
WINTER SUN AND AIR VENTILATION.......................................... 67
5.2.9
SUMMER SUN AND AIR VENTILATION ........................................ 68
5.2.10
PLANNING ........................................................................................... 69
5.2.11
ELEVATION ......................................................................................... 70
5.2.12
AGRO-HOUSING – CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS .................. 71
5.3
HYDROPONICS GREENHOUSE ............................................................... 72
5.3.1
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 72
5.3.2
BACKGROUND ................................................................................... 72
5.3.3
HEADHOUSE AND PLANT GROWTH ROOM ................................ 73
5.3.4
LETTUCE PRODUCTION ................................................................... 76
5.3.5
HARVESTED LETTUCE AND STORAGE ........................................ 78 5
CHAPTER 06 .............................................................................................................. 79 6
LIGHTING IN VERTICAL FARM .................................................................... 79 6.1
WORLD RENERGY DEMAND .................................................................. 79
6.2
COST TO PRODUCE FOOD ....................................................................... 80
6.3
RANKING
OF
ENERGY
TECHNOLOGIES
FOR
PRODUCING
ELECTRICITY ........................................................................................................ 80 6.4
LIGHT SERVICES IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS .............................................. 81
6.5
INTENSITY AND SPECTRUM .................................................................. 81
6.6
LIGHT EFFECT ON PLANT ....................................................................... 82
6.7
CHLOROPHYLL ACTIVITY...................................................................... 83
6.8
FOUR CHLOROPHYLL ABSORPTION PEAKS ...................................... 83
6.9
LIGHT SYSTEM .......................................................................................... 84
6.9.1
SUN LIGHT SYSTEM .......................................................................... 84
6.9.2
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SYSTEM............................................................ 84
6.10
LED FIXTURE.......................................................................................... 86
6.11
BUILDING FAÇADE ............................................................................... 87
6.12
ADVANTAGE OF GLASS PASSES SUN LIGHT ................................. 87
CHAPTER 07 .............................................................................................................. 88 7
SITE SELECTION .............................................................................................. 88 7.1
CRITERIA FOR SITE SELECTION ........................................................... 88
7.2
PROPOSED SITES ....................................................................................... 88
7.3
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE ...................................... 89
7.4
PROPOSAL NO 01 ....................................................................................... 89
7.4.1 7.5
PROPOSAL NO 02 ....................................................................................... 90
7.5.1 7.6
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE ............................... 89
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE ............................... 90
PROPOSAL NO 03 ....................................................................................... 91
6
7.6.1 7.7
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE ............................... 91
ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED SITES ............................................................ 92
7.7.1
ENVIRONMENT CONDITION FOR PROTOTYPE VERTICAL
FARM …………………………………………………………………………92 7.7.2
CONSUMERS DATA ........................................................................... 92
7.7.3
ENERGY AND FUNDING ................................................................... 93
7.7.4
FEASIBILITY OF RESEARCH ON HYDROPONIC ......................... 93
7.7.5
AGRICULTURAL FARMS ACCESS .................................................. 94
7.8
COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS CHART ........................................................ 94
7.9
COMPARITIVE ANAYSIS TABLE ........................................................... 95
7.9.2
ACCESSIBILITY .................................................................................. 95
7.9.3
AMENITIES .......................................................................................... 95
7.9.4
COST OF LAND ................................................................................... 95
7.9.5
TOPOGRAPHY ..................................................................................... 95
7.9.6
CONTEXT ............................................................................................. 95
7.9.7
ORIENTATION .................................................................................... 96
7.9.8
TOTAL .................................................................................................. 96
7.10
RESULT OF RESPONDENTS INTERVIEWS ....................................... 96
7.11
SHORT LISTED SITE (Sindh Agricultural University Tandojam) ......... 96
7.11.1
LOCATION OF THE SITE ................................................................... 96
7.11.2
ROAD AND SURROUNDING OF THE SITE .................................... 97
7.11.3
MASTER PLAN .................................................................................... 98
7.11.4
PROPOSED SITE .................................................................................. 99
7.11.5
SHADES AND LIGHT OF THE SITE ................................................. 99
7.12
POTENTIAL OF SUSTAINABLE MANNERS OF ENERGY IN TANDO
JAM
…………… ............................................................................................. 100
7.13
SOLAR ENERGY ................................................................................... 100
7
7.13.1
HYDERABAD PAKISTAN- SUNRISE, SUNSET, DAWN AND
DUSK TIMES GRAPH ..................................................................................... 100 7.13.2
SUN PATH DIAGRAM ...................................................................... 101
7.13.3
SOLAR ENERGY AND SURFACE METEOROLOGY ................... 101
7.14
AVERAGE WIND SPEED ..................................................................... 101
7.14.2
ANNUAL ELECTRIC ENERGY POTENTIAL ................................ 102
CHAPTER 08 ............................................................................................................ 104 8
FORM FOR VERTICAL FARM ...................................................................... 104 8.1
FORM OF BUILDING ............................................................................... 104
8.2
SHAPE TO BE EXAMINED ..................................................................... 104
8.3
FORM TO BE EXAMINED ....................................................................... 105
8.4
FORM TRANSFORMATION .................................................................... 105
8.5
SLAB FORM OF MODEL ......................................................................... 106
8.5.1
SUN PATH CHART PROGRAM ....................................................... 108
8.6
TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH FACE ................................................ 108
8.7
MODEL IN SUMMER AND WINTER SOLSTICES ............................... 110
8.8
FINAL FORM FOR THE VERTICAL FARM .......................................... 112
8.9
SUGGESTIVE FORM ................................................................................ 113
8.9.1
URBAN EPICENTER/NYC (NEW YORK, 2009) ............................ 113
8.9.2
PROGRAMMATIC SECTION ........................................................... 115
8.9.3
EVF EXPERIMENTAL VERTICAL FARM ..................................... 116
8.9.4
PROGRAMMATIC LAYOUT ........................................................... 117
CHAPTER NO 09...................................................................................................... 118 9
DESIGN BRIEF................................................................................................. 118 9.1
PERCENTAGES OF REQUIRED SPACE ................................................ 118
9.2
REQUIREMNENT FOR VERTICL FARM .............................................. 119
9.3
ARCHITECTURAL SPACES .................................................................... 121
8
One ......................................................................................................................... 121 9.4
FLOOR AREA DISTRIBUTION ............................................................... 122
9.5
PLANT PRODUCTION ............................................................................. 122
9.6
WORKFORCE SPACE .............................................................................. 123
9.7
SYSTEM MONITORING .......................................................................... 124
9.8
RESEARCH CENTER & MARKET ......................................................... 125
9.9
INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION ..................................................... 126 HYDROPONIC SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS ..................................... 127
9.11
WATER REQUIREMENT FOR 70,000 SQ.FT ..................................... 127
9.12
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION (LEAFY VEGETABLES) ........................... 128
9.13
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION (NON-LEAFY VEGETABLES) ................. 128
10
9.10
BIBLOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 130 10.1
REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 130
10.2
APPENDIX A.......................................................................................... 134
10.3
APPENDIX B .......................................................................................... 134
10.4
APPENDIX C .......................................................................................... 135
10.5
APPENDIX D.......................................................................................... 138
9
LIST OF FIGURES Figure: 1.1 the world could cut the environmental harm caused. ................................ 18 Figure: 1.2 Evolution of Farming through Ages .......................................................... 23 Figure: 2.1 urban farming system with lettuce growing behind walls. ........................ 25 Figure: 3.1 Aeroponics systems ................................................................................... 37 Figure: 3.2 Hydroponic fodder production .................................................................. 37 Figure 5.1 Day view of Pasona HQ ............................................................................. 52 Figure 5.2 Farmers recruitment and Food mileage ...................................................... 54 Figure 5.3 Façade and materials .................................................................................. 54 Figure 5.4 Interior lighting and ceiling height ............................................................. 55 Figure 5.5 Soil based farming ...................................................................................... 56 Figure 5.6 Ground floor plan ....................................................................................... 57 Figure 5.7 Upper floor plan ......................................................................................... 58 Figure 5.8 Section of balconies .................................................................................... 59 Figure 5.9 Agro-housing assemblage .......................................................................... 62 Figure 5.10 Day view of Pasona HQ ........................................................................... 64 Figure 5.11 Day view of Pasona HQ ........................................................................... 65 Figure 5.12 Day view of Pasona HQ ........................................................................... 66 Figure 5.13 Day view of Pasona HQ ........................................................................... 67 Figure 5.14 Day view of Pasona HQ ........................................................................... 68 Figure 5.15 Ground floor plan ..................................................................................... 69 Figure 5.16 3RD FLOOR PLAN ................................................................................... 69 Figure 5.17 Roof top plan ............................................................................................ 70 Figure 5.18 South Elevation ........................................................................................ 70 Figure 5.19 Floating hydroponic Greenhouse ............................................................. 72 Figure 5.20 Optimum lighting at plant level ................................................................ 75 Figure 5.21 Three pumper head and Flow meter ......................................................... 75 Figure 5.22 Rockwool slabs……………………………………………………….... 77 Figure 5.23 Plastic seedling trays…………………………………………………….78 Figure 5.24 Final plant spacing.................................................................................... 78 Figure 6.1: World energy demand ............................................................................... 79 Figure 6.2: World energy demand ............................................................................... 80 10
Figure 6.3: Potential of generating electricity.............................................................. 81 Figure 6.4: Intensity and spectrum of colors ............................................................... 82 Figure 6.5: Chlorophyll activity in different lights ...................................................... 83 Figure 6.6: Sunlight reflectors ..................................................................................... 84 Figure 6.7: Led lighting fixture.................................................................................... 86 Figure 6.8: Led lighting fixture.................................................................................... 87 Figure 7.1 Site proposal 01 .......................................................................................... 89 Figure 7.2 Site proposal 02 .......................................................................................... 90 Figure 7.3: Site proposal 03 ......................................................................................... 91 Figure 7.4: location ...................................................................................................... 97 Figure 7.5: Road Network............................................................................................ 98 Figure 7.6: Master plan of Bahria town ....................................................................... 98 Figure 7.7: proposed site .............................................................................................. 99 Figure 7.8: shades and light ......................................................................................... 99 Figure 7.9: Sun Path ................................................................................................... 101 Figure 8.1: Basic square shape................................................................................... 105 Figure 8.2: Basic square form .................................................................................... 105 Figure 8.3: Sun at 12:00 pm, June. ............................................................................ 106 Figure 8.4: Sun at 12:00 pm, Dec. ............................................................................. 106 Figure 8.5: Sun at 12:00 pm, Dec. (winter solstice) .................................................. 107 Figure 8.6: Sun at 12:00 pm, June. (Summer solstice) .............................................. 107 Figure 8.7: Dragged slab model at 12:00 pm, June. .................................................. 109 Figure 8.8: Dragged slab model at 12:00 pm, Dec. ................................................... 109 Figure 8.9: Form model at 12:00 pm, 22 June & 22 Sept.......................................... 110 Figure 8.10: Form model at 12:00 pm, 22 Dec & 22 March. .................................... 110 Figure 8.11: Form model at 09:00 am To 05:00 pm in summer solstice. .................. 111 Figure 8.12: Form model at 09:00 am To 05:00 pm in winter solstice. .................... 112 Figure 8.13: Top & Front view of Final form for prototype vertical farm. ............... 112 Figure 8.14: West & East view of Final form for prototype vertical farm. ............... 113 Figure 8.15: Suggestive form for vertical farm. ........................................................ 114 Figure 8.16: Suggestive form for vertical farm. ........................................................ 115 Figure 8.17: Suggestive form for vertical farm. ........................................................ 116 Figure 8.18: Suggestive form for vertical farm. ........................................................ 117 Figure: 9.1 Percentages of Required spaces .............................................................. 118 11
Figure: 9.2 Percentages of Required spaces .............................................................. 122 Figure: 9.3 Major Zoning ........................................................................................... 123 Figure: 9.4 Working Spaces ....................................................................................... 124 Figure: 9.5 Zoning of Market & Research Centre ..................................................... 125 Figure: 9.6 zoning of infrastructure ........................................................................... 126 Figure: 9.7 system description for leafy vegetable .................................................... 128 Figure: 9.8 system description for non-leafy vegetable ............................................. 129 Figure: 9.9 system description for non-leafy vegetable ............................................. 129
12
LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1 Percentage of water and fertilizer consumption saving……………………44 Table: 4.2 Agricultural Land Use in Pakistan………………………………………...49 Table 4.3 Capital Investment………………………….……………………………...50 Table 4.4 Comparative Yields Per acre in soil and hydroponics system……………..51 Table 7.1 shows the comparative analysis on the basis of surveys and questionnaire……………………………………………………………………........95 Table 7.2 Surface Metrology……………………….…………………………….....101 Table 9.1 Proposed covered areas. ……………………….…………………………119
13
LIST OF CHARTS Chart 7.1: Environment conditions for prototype vertical farm……………………….92 Chart 7.2: Consumer Data……………………….……………………………..................92 Chart 7.3: Energy & Funding……………….…….……………………….........93 Chart 7.4: feasibility of research on hydroponic.………………………………….........93 Chart 7.5: Agricultural Farms Access.……………………………........... .… …….......94 Chart 7.6: comparative analysis.…………….......... .……………………………...........94 Chart 7.7: Time graph.…………….…………………........... .…… ……………............100 Chart 7.8: Monthly Average Wind Speed.………………………….. .… …………..…101 Chart 7.9: Monthly Average wind generated electric energy.………….…….………101 Chart 7.10: Daily Average wind generated electric energy.…………………….……102 Chart 8.1 solar azimuth.…………… .… .…………..................……………….............102
14
CHAPTER NO: 01 1
VERTICAL FARMING
1.1 INTRODUCTION As the world’s population increases, it is estimate that about 50% of the entire earth’s population is living in cities. NASA estimates that for this 7 billion people in order to be fed (half urban half rural) would need to produce their food every year. By 2050 it is predicted that the world’s population will have grown to 9.5 billion people, necessitating the cultivation of another 2.1 billion acres of land. So developing farmable land will be a challenge in urban areas. Urban farming is growing crops on the ground in or around a community in vacant lots or green space in this scope. One option is to farm vertically instead of horizontally. Dense urban centres would have multi-storeys buildings with floor atop the floor of fruits and vegetables grown in highly environmentally efficient ways, such as hydroponic and Aeroponics in vertical farms, it is cultivating plant life within a skyscraper greenhouse or on vertically inclined surfaces. The modern idea of vertical farming uses techniques similar to glass houses, where natural sunlight can be augmented with artificial lighting.
1.2 CONCEPT Vertical farms are multi-storey buildings with controlled environmental conditions and access that house year-round crop production in artificial environments by using hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics. All food is grown organically without herbicides or pesticides, and black and greywater is collected and recycled. The vertical farm is powered by solar and wind energy to balance out the high-energy consumption the internal environment requires. “Basically, inside the system, every day is a summer day without a cloud in the sky,” -Says Vandecruys. Rooftop farming and urban gardening are two other practices that are often confused with vertical farming. Rooftop farming uses the roof footprint of a building to cultivate crops in raised beds that are open and exposed to weather elements or to cultivate crops 15
that are partially or fully enclosed in a greenhouse structure. Although both of these practices may utilize aeroponics or hydroponics and use container beds or vertical scaling of crops, they do not meet the actual concept of a vertical farm. An actual vertical farm requires a substantial investment in building or repurposing and outfitting a building to create the necessary indoor environment for year round maximum crop production that utilizes a small urban footprint and minimal water and energy resources. The concept of the vertical farm arose in 1999 as a theoretical construct as to how to deal with a wide variety of environmental issues. By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth's population will reside in urban centres.
Applying the most conservative
estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about 3 billion people during the interim. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done"? [1] -Dr. Dickson Despommier
1.3 BACKGROUND The idea for vertical farming was first envisioned by Nancy Jack Todd and John Todd in 1993 in their book “From Eco-Cities to Living Machines”. The concept was later expanded in 1999 by Dickson Despommier, a professor of environmental sciences and microbiology at Columbia University. In the last few years, mainstream and scientific articles have been written about the vertical farm concept. The first architectural designs that enrol in this vision of "green architecture" can be the Immeuble villas of Le Corbusier (1922), which provide “unité d'habitation” multilevel with garden terraces destined also to domestic crops. Urban population has grown in the past few decades and will increase considerably in the Following ones. The concept of vertical farming has gained importance because approximately 800 million hectares of land were used for food production – approximating an area equivalent to Brazil – in 2004. 16
“The decline in arable land, ongoing global climate change, water shortages and continued population could change our view of traditional farming from soil based operations to highly efficient greenhouses or urban farms”. [2] - Allen Washatko
1.4 CHALLENGES The requirement of vertical farming is increasingly day by day and its building will much important structure by nearer future Urbanization has become an increasingly critical issue as 50 percent of the world population lives in urban areas and is predicted to continue growing to 70 percent by 2050. [3] Urban migration and mounting population will create ever-increasing demands for housing, health and sanitation services, employment, and transportation. Along with these stresses, expanding urban populations also increase the need for stable, accessible, and nutritious food sources. Future mega cities will be more ethnically and culturally diverse, significantly larger, poorer, and less well-nourished than current urban populations. Almost 70% of the world’s fresh water reserves are used for agriculture (Cho, 2011) And, nearly 40% of the Earth’s total landmass is now being used to support soil-based agriculture (Lim & Liu, 2010), with over 80% of the world’s land available for agriculture now in use. [4] Production of food crops to feed a growing urban population without further damaging environment, and feeding up farmland and allowing it to return to its ecological setting. The world is less than 40 years away from a food shortage that will have serious implications for people and governments, according to a scientist. "For the first time in human history, food production will be limited on a global scale by the availability of land, water and energy," said a senior science advisor on food security. "Food issues could become as politically destabilizing by 2050 as energy issues are today."[5]
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1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL HARM By improving agricultural practices in just six countries and Europe, the world could cut the environmental harm caused by farming at the same time as boosting food security. Percentages can be seen in figure 1.1. That’s according to a team from the US and Germany who analysed the global production and impact of 16 major food crops and cotton. The six countries that could change the future of food production [6] - Jul, 2014
Fig: 1.1 the world could cut the environmental harm caused. Source: http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/news/57936
1.5.1 FOOD SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS “Meeting the food needs of people today and into the future while simultaneously decreasing the effects of agriculture on the environment is one of humanity’s grand challenges,” [7] -Paul West of the University of Minnesota, US
1.5.2 RURAL DWELLERS RATIO More middle-class families will also put much more pressure on farmers, [8]. Right now there are about four rural dwellers for every city dweller in Asia and Africa, but according to UN projections, by 2040 that ratio will only be 2:1. That means growers will need to feed twice as many city inhabitants by 2040.The biggest change will happen in China. Right now more than 40% of Chinese citizens live in rural areas, but
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in the next five years the country plans to move 100 million of those people into cities. By 2026, it wants to move 250 million.
1.6 METHODOLOGY The several method has been adopted for this thesis research: Case study survey carried out in hydroponic farms focusing on different functions and problem areas to facilitate a deeper understanding of spaces. Interviews conducted with the expert Agronomist and architects which would facilitate in realizing feasibility at Tandojam and the way of the prototype hydroponic vertical farm. Internet research was conducted for the purpose of why as there a requirement of form of prototype vertical farms, what type of spaces were essential, an understanding of type of function and physical parameters that will effect on farming. Online calculator (Gisma) for solar and wind potential and to calculate the solar-winter azimuth. Literature were reviewed to understand the current situation of hydroponic farming in Pakistan and what work and techniques had been adopted internationally for vertical farming SketchUp and other software’s were used to explore the form which can penetrate maximum sun light and to test render of form for the vertical farm
1.7 PROBLEM For the first time, we are seeing the emergence of a global agricultural market driven by the growing demand for grains and a scarcity of supply. Wheat inventories, for example, have reached a 30-year low. The fact is that arable land cannot be increased at will. Over the past three decades, the amount of arable land worldwide has stagnated at about 1.5 billion hectares (3.7 billion acres).While new agricultural lands are being added in Russia and South America , more and more land is lost to residential and industrial development in Asia and Europe . In China, eight million hectares (20 million acres) of land under cultivation have vanished within a decade. For comparison, just under 12 million hectares (30 million 19
acres) of land are currently used for agriculture in Germany. These spatial limitations would be tolerable if the world's population wasn't growing at such a breath taking pace. [9]
By: Joseph Dancy
1.8 SCOPE Vertical farming can involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agroforestry, urban beekeeping, and horticulture. Vertical farming included both soilless and soil base farming. In soil less farming hydroponic, aeroponics is used. In this study of research hydroponic vertical farming will be taken in concern and form of the hydroponic vertical farm will be explore at Tando jam Hyderabad . The most focus of the research will be on natural resources of sunlight. Form for Prototype hydroponic farm has to be explored, furthermore the vegetable to grow will tomato and lettuce as it has vast research on these vegetables.
1.9 NEED It is not necessarily true that to boost food security, it would be better to focus all efforts on producing meat alternatives, such as vegetables and herbs .[10] Even if it might result in higher production, compared to farming animals for food, we must not forget that all of us need a well-balanced diet. Vegetables, fruits, starchy foods, dairy products, meats, sugar and fats in moderate amounts. Focusing only on meat alternatives is unsustainable in the long run. To tackle food security, we should not be extreme in our approach by suggesting the removal of food options such as meat. We must put in effort to balance the production of all food sources. The imperative is the way we grow our food. Once we find the best way to do this, in a smart, efficient and sustainable way, we would be able to enhance food security. If we focus on Singapore, considering our physical constraints such as land scarcity, perhaps the best way is to grow food vertically using minimal space and hightech means to produce more food quickly. This is compared with conventional farming, which is highly reliant on space, seasons of the year and the weather. [11] In high-tech farming, the temperature and other growth factors are controlled, even to the extent that the management of food production can be controlled centrally. Ultimately, choosing to focus on alternatives to meat to achieve food security may not 20
be a wise decision. The only answer to the issue is through vertical high-tech farming, be it for meat or vegetable production.
1.10 OBJECTIVES
To design a vertical farm building that meets the vision of urban farming
To develop innovative and original solutions that incorporate environmentally, friendly and efficient features into the design.
To provide a cost
efficient system
that can
be easily adapted to
other locations in the country.
To present a solution that integrates all of the building’s systems into a fully functional vertical farm and harvesting space.
To optimize all major high building including energy
performance conservation,
attributes of the
safety, structural and
material
durability, accessibility, cost efficiency, growing productivity, sustainability and functionality.
1.11 ADVANTAGES Dickson Despommier has been spreading the seeds of his radical idea. [12] 1. Year-round crop production 2. No weather-related crop failures 3. Eliminates agricultural 4. No agricultural runoff 5. No us of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers 6. Use of 70-95 percent less water 7. Greatly reduced food miles 8. More control of food safety and security 9. New employment opportunities 10. Purification of grey water to drinking water To those brought to light by Despommier other more general benefits are: 1. Great reduction of use of fossil fuels (farm machines and transport of crops) 2. Possibility to use abandoned or unused properties 3. Reduction of carbon footprints. 21
4. Risk reduction of infection caused by green houses. 5. Returns farmland to nature and restore of ecosystem functions and services 6. Less use of agricultural soil - D. Despommier.
1.12 MOTIVATION Concerns about vertical farming will transfer farming into a factory. It will allow us for the first time to feed everyone on earth and still return land to its original ecological function and provide food to urban world.
1.13 HYPOTHESIS While the world's population could reach 8.5 billion people in the year 2030 and 11 billion at the end of this century, the availability and fertility of the soil for agricultural production will be alarmingly reduced. The fertile soil area available for global agricultural productivity is just 11%, a percentage that is rapidly decreasing because of climate change, desertification, and erosion (of soils and irrigation water). [13] -Rosanna Zari 1. These aspects affect agriculture in a way that it loses 10 million hectares of arable land each year, to which are added 20 million hectares abandoned because the quality of the soil is too degraded, largely because of intensive agricultural techniques and the consequent loss of organic substances necessary for physical, chemical and biological soil fertility 2.
Great part in the erosion of agricultural land is also the urban sprawl, the exponential growth of urbanization.
3.
A report of UN estimates that in 2014 metropolitan areas lived 54% of the world population (compared to 30% in 1950), with a growing trend. The dynamic that induce more and more people prefer to live in urban areas is also found in Italy, confirming the gradual decrease of the population living in rural areas in our country.
4.
To get an idea of soil consumption trends, just consider that while between 1950 and 1981 the total cultivable area increased from 587 million hectares to 732 million hectares, in 2000 the acreage has dropped to 656 million hectares, against a constant increase of the population (2.5 billion in 1950 to 6.1 billion today). Soil 22
consumption is accompanied by the reduction of fertility, the deterioration of biological, chemical and physical properties of agricultural land, which is manifested by reduced availability of nutrients and decreasing soil water retention capacity, resulting from the destruction of its structure, determined mainly by intensive.
[14]
In it we read also more than half of the world’s population will live in urban areas. While the number of large urban agglomerations is increasing, approximately half of all urban dwellers reside in smaller cities and towns.
1.14 EVOLUTION Farming is developing day by day since Neolithic age till now it has gone so far in today’s modern era it started for small stone tools and through time tools and techniques have upgraded and eventually the farming process as well from cow cart on horizontal land to the vertical farming and farms have gone to floors as in figure 1.2
Fig: 1.2 Evolution of Farming through Ages Source: Google Image
1.15
SUMMARY
Vertical cultivated farming will be a very important part of the community in the not too distant future, the earth is becoming in more need of resources to feed the billions of masses of people that are living on the planet. If cultivated land footprints are
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becoming smaller due to growth of cities, vertical farming has to be introduced to cover the needs of the population. Vertical farm has to be completely made with advanced technology such as artificial lighting system, hydroponic system and efficient farming management in the urban areas. By collecting of all these qualities the vertical farming may developed in the well-organized farm and it gains the high amount yielding in the agriculture. The architecture of vertical farming is concern with different sections that there are energy management, water management it also known as hydroponics, cropping method and harvesting manner etc. The vertical farming architecture is also depended on the construction oriented process, where it takes the complex situation some times that there enough sunlight radiation has to pass on all crops of the plants for the healthy growth. So the need of finding appropriate form for vertical farm is essential.
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CHAPTER NO: 02 2 HYDROPONICS FARMING
2.1 INTRODUCTION Many countries are running ecological deficit with ecological footprints far greater than their biological capacity. The consequences of ecological deficit, in various regions of the world, can be leading towards the resource loss, ecological collapse, environmental imbalance, poverty, debt, famine and sometimes, even, war. With the help of urban farming, one can produce even so much as 100 times more food than with regular farming (per square foot), most urban farms are designed vertically, that allows to grow produce in as many levels as possible on a square foot. So, 2 square feet of free space in apartment, instead of having a corner of soil with lettuce growing there and moulding your nicely-finished walls, ones can simply have a tasteful-looking urban farming system with lettuce growing in shelves or behind walls as in figure 2.1.
Fig: 2.1 urban farming system with lettuce growing behind walls. Source: Google image 25
Most urban gardening systems lead to considerable water, power and space savings. Urban farming systems, use about 90% less water and 4 times less space, if compared to traditional farming. Many point out that starting an urban farm might be costly. Urban farming force farmers to grow crop in an even more controlled and conscious manner, which leads to more possibilities to grow organic food.
2.2 WHY MAKE THE INVESTMENT The thing is that water, power and space savings aren't financially sustainable only. The more we switch our everyday food production to urban farms rather than regular farms, the more we decrease the development of drought, soil erosion and similar problems. Humanity is using nature’s resources faster than they can regenerate. In the world of current hour, when man is exceeding all the limited resource limitations of the planet, the ecological assets are becoming critically alarming. Each sate on the globe possesses its own ecological profile. Due to huge demand on water resources and subsequently food supply, many new trends in the farming innovative methods which include a complex agricultural production system have been evolved.
2.3 TRADITIONAL METHODS The traditional methods of growing a plant involve some basic steps i.e.
Sowing of seeds,
Irrigation
Provision of suitable conditions followed by harvesting and collection of crops/ plants.
Conventional agricultural practices can cause a wide range of negative impacts on the environment. “Conventional” or “modern industrial agriculture” has been historically defined as the practice of growing crops in soil, in the open air, with irrigation, and the active application of nutrients, pesticides, and herbicides. Some of the negative impacts of conventional agriculture include the high and inefficient use of water, large land requirements, high concentrations of nutrients and pesticides in runoff, and soil degradation accompanied by erosion. As the world population continues to grow at a rapid rate, so too must the food production. However, approximately 38.6% of the icefree land and 70% of withdrawn freshwater is already devoted to agriculture.
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2.4 SUSTAINABLE METHODS To sustainably feed the world’s growing population, methods for growing food have to evolve. In case evolution, different techniques have been studied to improve the traditional methods. Hydroponics and Aeroponics are two such techniques by which plants can be grown without soil.
Agriculture scientists said there are two main types of hydroponics culture, namely 1. Solution culture. 2. Medium culture
The solution culture excludes roots as source of nutrition, while the medium culture is based on roots as part of the process. The solution culture method is further divided into three types – 1. Static solution culture, 2. Continuous flow solution culture, 3. Aeroponics.
The medium culture, on the other hand, is based on medium through which the root is routed-sand culture, gravel culture or rock wool culture. These media of nutrition are again sub-divided into two categories – 1. Sub-irrigation. 2. Top irrigation.
2.5 HYDROPONICS Gerick defined hydroponics as “Plant growth in mineral nutrition solutions.” Hydroponics is the art of soilless agriculture in which growing of plants in a soil less medium, or an aquatic based environment.
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The word hydroponics has been derived from the Greek word ‘water working’. Hydro means ‘water’ and Ponic means ‘working’ and it is a technology of growing plants without soil, but in water or nutrient rich solution for a short duration. The advantages of using hydroponic over traditional methods are enormous:
It is easier to establish new plants.
It is easier to transplant seedlings.
Controlling the root chemistry is easy.
The nutrients will not be depleted as these ends up in the soil.
The plant growth is pest and disease free.
Weeds almost never grow.
Gardening practices can be reduced
Plants can be grown anywhere, from roof – top to dirt field.
Ensure higher mineral nutrition.
There is less water usage and water can be recycled/ reused.
2.6 APPARATUS The apparatus required for Hydroponics is quite cheap and easy to install. Following apparatus is required for hydroponics:
A rack with multiple shelves
Water conducting pipes
Water reservoirs
Light availability (photosynthesis)
Micro-technology (Utilization of technology at micro-level).
Some precautions must be taken to run Hydroponics. Irresponsible human interference may introduce pests to the plants. So, antiseptic techniques must be applied before entering in the sterile environment. It is also important to monitor all the changes regularly.
2.7 AEROPONICS Like hydroponics, is a technique for growing plants without the use of soil? In this system, nutrient levels of a plants water supply are artificially maintained and the water is directly applied to its root system. Plants are cultivated using a nutrient mist-spray. 28
The basic difference between the Hydroponics and Aeroponics is that, in the former nutrient-added water is used directly, while in the latter, nutrient mist-spray is used.
One of the most high tech growing systems
The growing medium is primarily air
The roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrients every few minutes
A timer must be used to control the nutrient pump to ensure the plants are properly misted with the nutrients
The advantages of using Aeroponics over traditional methods are enormous:
It is an advanced and a great way to grow plants effortlessly.
The roots are protected from pathogens and debris as air is used as a growing medium.
Plants grow faster in Aeroponics because there is an ample supply of oxygen for the plants.
Aeroponics is a user-friendly and safe growing technique to grow healthy and better crops
The system utilizes comparatively less quantity of water and energy.
The spray pulse used is sterilized, so the plants are protected from pests and diseases.
Aeroponics is the future of modern agriculture and can be practiced even in space. The techniques of Hydroponics and Aeroponics are being practiced in many countries of the world including Pakistan.
2.8 HYDROPONICS
VS.
TRADITIONAL
HORIZONTAL
FARMING A hydroponic growing system, in which plants are grown in an artificially controlled environment without soil, offers several distinct advantages over a soil-based growing environment. Hydroponic plants grow fast and abundantly, and hydroponic systems make efficient use of resources. Hydroponic systems require specialized skills and significant financial investment on the part of the grower.
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2.8.1 PROCESS CONTROL A hydroponic growing environment offers the grower a great degree of control over the process of cultivation as compared to a traditional soil environment. With hydroponics, the grower can control precisely the amount and composition of the nutrients to which plants have access; plants' access to soil nutrients is more difficult to regulate, and the exact makeup of soil nutrients can be difficult to determine. Hydroponics also allows the grower to shield plants from exposure to pests and pollutants and to control the pH level of the growing environment. Water can be used more efficiently in a hydroponic system, as well; irrigation water can be recycled.
2.8.2 PLANT GROWTH RATE Plants grown hydroponically tend to grow faster than soil-grown plants because oxygen and nutrients are delivered directly and intensively to their roots. The fast growth leads to shorter times until harvest, and more growth cycles can be fit into a given time period. Plants also generally have higher yields in hydroponic systems because the plants don't have to work as hard to find nutrients and can devote more resources to fruit and vegetative development.
2.8.3 LOCATION Because hydroponic systems don't depend on external conditions, they can be set up almost anywhere, even where the external environment is completely inhospitable to plants. Hydroponic systems also make more efficient use of space than soil growing environments. So they are especially well-suited to use in urban environments where space is tight and areas with cultivatable soil are limited. The use of artificial light in indoor environments can make hydroponic-growing viable in environments where access to sunlight is problematic, either because of seasonal conditions or the surroundings.
2.8.4 COST Cost is the one area in which hydroponics is at a significant disadvantage to soilgrowing. The initial cost to set up a hydroponic system is higher than the cost to set up a comparable soil-growing operation, and the operation of a hydroponic system is labour-intensive. So ongoing costs for a hydroponic system are relatively high, too. Although this may be a disadvantage if ones have fertile soil already, if soil conditions would require extensive amendment, hydroponics might be equally or even less 30
expensive. Some of the costs of a hydroponic system can be offset by the system's efficiency in the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides.
2.8.5 SPACE Hydroponic systems require much less space than normal gardens, which makes them ideal for urban dwellers or gardeners with limited yard space. The plant root systems in a hydroponic garden are much smaller than a normal garden, which means less space between plants. It's also easy to start a hydroponic system indoors with artificial lighting. You won't need to worry about crop rotation in later seasons, which can sometimes be a limiting factor in traditional gardens.
2.8.6 SOIL To grow hydroponic crops, ones don't have to fuss with soil improvement, weak soils or waiting for the right soil temperature. Hydroponic plants always have perfect conditions in which to grow. One disadvantage over growing plants in top grade soil is that hydroponic plants have a weaker root system. However, in anything less than perfect soil, hydroponics is still superior.
2.8.7 CONSERVATION In conventional farming, much of the water used to feed plants is lost in the ground or evaporates in the air long before it reaches the plants. Hydroponic plants always have perfect water conditions with zero loss from evaporation or drainage. There is a more efficient use of nutrients with hydroponics for the same reasons. Less nutrients are lost to airborne breezes or soil leeching, which means less fertilizer is needed.
2.8.8 SPEED AND CLIMATE Hydroponic plants grow faster than crops grown in soil, allowing more crops per year and faster profit. Conventional farming is limited to growing seasons, while hydroponic growing can be done indoors throughout the year regardless of outside temperatures. Ever heard of weather decreasing the yield in a certain year? Weather is actually a very, very minor factor for food production via urban farming, since it usually takes place indoors and relies on the water system installed, artificial lighting, and nutrients already worked-in in the soil.
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2.8.9 EQUIPMENT, LABOUR AND TIME COSTS Hydroponics cost more to set up than conventional farming techniques. It needs specialized equipment and the knowledge of how to use it. Although equipment and supply costs are initially high, hydroponics ultimately saves money over conventional farming in labour costs. Because more vegetables are produced at a faster rate, hydroponics saves money with less labour and time spent to bring the produce to market.
2.9 DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS
Initial setup cost is high, as the necessary equipment’s are expensive
Technical skill is required to maintain the equipment’s
If a disease appears all plants in the container will be affected.
2.10 CONCLUSION After doing a bit of research into the issue of hydroponic farming vs soil-grown farming, it has simply affirmed that hydroponic method of vertical farming is very much appropriate method of providing food to the world. So we need to go vertically and find the solution in vertical.
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CHAPTER NO: 03 3 LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1 BACKGROUND OF VERTICAL FARMING The agriculture - at least it has been practised by last twelve thousand years - is a round defeat, in accordance with the ecological visionary Dickson Despommier. The set of the company ' is not working and, probably, it has never worked. [15]
3.2 WORLD POPULATION While the world's population could reach 8.5 billion people in the year 2030 (UN estimates) and 11 billion at the end of this century, the availability and fertility of the soil for agricultural production will be alarmingly reduced. [16] (Vice president CONAF Rosanna Zari, opening The World Day of the Soil, Rome, 5 December 2015)
3.3 LAND ERROSION Great part in the erosion of agricultural land is also the urban sprawl, the exponential growth of urbanization. A report of UN estimates that in 2014 metropolitan areas lived 54% of the world population (compared to 30% in 1950), with a growing trend. [17] To get an idea of soil consumption trends, just consider that while between 1950 and 1981 the total cultivable area increased from 587 million hectares to 732 million hectares, in 2000 the acreage has dropped to 656 million hectares, against a constant increase of the population (2.5 billion in 1950 to 6.1 billion today). [18] -Lorenzo Franchini
For this estimated that in order to meet the food needs of the growing population, the Arable land should raise by about 10 billion hectares.
3.4 CAPITAL It is estimated that all the ecological service on earth may be worth as much as 560 trillion. [19]
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However, there are many financial analysts and management complaining insufficient financial and economic attention to the "natural capital",
3.5 HYDROPONIC SYSTEM FOR VEGETABLE Hydroponics is easy and simple way to grow plants, considered by many more advantageous than the cultivation in soil because it make possible to give plants maximum levels of the exact nutrients they need. Precise control of nutrient uptake allows reap higher yields faster. East Asia, Spain and Israel have increased the implementation of hydroponic farm, while NASA has developed a research program for a system hydroponic food production to be used in space missions. [19]
3.6 CRITICISM However this idea has been questioned by many critics, who have pointed out that “I kept asking, ‘how come’ – people said, ‘Oh, it would never make money, the sun is free, it’s expensive to add lights and everything else, it won’t happen’,” -Recalls Harwood. Michael Hamm, a professor of sustainable agriculture at Michigan State University, points out that vertical farms depend on constant supplies of electricity, much of which will come from fossil fuel sources. “Why waste that energy to produce a whole lettuce, when you can get light from the sun?” he says.
3.7 OPINIONS IN FAVOUR 3.7.1 SUMMER DAY “Basically, inside the system, every day is a summer day without a cloud in the sky,” says
-Vandecruys.
Vandecruys says it’s possible to grow practically anything inside – but that’s not always a good idea. He explains that it’s more cost-effective to stick to quicker-growing crops that yield a high market value. Herbs, baby greens for salad and edible flowers, for instance, fetch a lot more per kilogram than certain root vegetables, which are more likely to be grown outdoors the old-fashioned way for some time yet. [20]
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3.7.2 ILLUMINATION Form of the building and the transparency of the surface will provide sufficient sun light, Despommier also thinks of his form, which should preferably be curved to take full advantage of natural sunlight and to follow the progression of the sun across the horizon. In this way the indoor cultivation can reduce the lighting gap with respect to the outdoor one. [21]
3.7.3 SKY IS THE LIMIT “There are other challenges to overcome before the farms become a viable alternative food source. Scientists are determining the optimum light wavelength for growing each kind of plant.”-Choi said Team member Lee Hye-Jin said they need more time. “It might take at least five more years of research to make progress on these obstacles. Then vertical farms might be ready for commercial use,” she said. The South Korean scientists say that once these problems are resolved, vertical farms won't just have to stop at three-stories. The sky is the limit. [22]
3.7.4 CARBON OFFSETS A carbon footprint is an estimate of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a particular activity, Cost to Buy Carbon Offsets service, or product. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, each American resident is responsible for 23 tons of CO2e emissions every year “throughout the economy.” Experts say that between 25 and 30% of the world’s GHG emissions are the result of deforestation. For instance, there’s China’s Shanghai Tower, which finished construction in August of last year. This building is currently the tallest tower in China, is one-third green space and a transparent second skin that surrounds the city in a protective air envelope that controls its internal temperature. In addition, vertical-axis wind turbines located near the top of the tower and geothermal vents located at the bottom will generate 350,000 kWh of supplementary electricity per year. But will eating polluted food. [23]
3.7.5 WATER USE EFFICIENCY A hydroponic uses about 5 percent of the water and a fraction of the land needed to produce an equivalent amount of produce in traditional agriculture.
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In the San Joaquin Valley of California, the water use efficiency (WUE: kg tomato yield/ m3 water applied) for tomato production was shown to be,
10-12 kg m-3 for flood irrigation,
11-19 kg m-3 for sprinkler irrigation,
19-25 kg m-3 for drip irrigation
Many researchers have reported much higher WUE values for greenhouse tomato production. Open hydroponic irrigation systems in the Netherlands and France have been reported as 45 and 39 kg m-3, respectively. Closed irrigation systems WUE values of 66 kg m-3 in the Netherlands, and 25 and 30 kg m-3 in the warmer climates of Spain and Italy respectively. [24]
3.7.6 EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS Current state wide statistics show an unemployment rate of 78% among Wyoming’s employable developmentally disabled residents. With an estimated cost of $ 3,700.000, the farm should provide up to 100,000 lbs of produce each year, without using pesticide and a water consume about 90% less than conventional farming. -Vertical Harvest, Jackson, Wyoming (USA)
3.7.7 NUTRITION AND TASTE A study in 2000, published in the “Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses” compared hydroponics to conventionally produced vegetables and found that hydroponic produce can be superior in nutrition and taste – but this is dependent on the nutrient content of the hydroponic solutions. Stronger nutrient solutions can ensure a better product than conventionally produced vegetables. [25] “With the plants growing in the system, you know about the conditions they were raised in – that gives you control and knowledge,” Says Jobczyk. “But also it’s the freshness, one of the biggest problems with fresh veg – especially the greens – is the field to fork time, the time between harvest and consumption.” -Anna Okon
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3.8
AEROPONICS
Fig: 3.1 Aeroponics systems Source: Volume 27, ASRJETS (2017) Aeroponics systems can reduce water usage by 98 percent, fertilizer usage by 60 percent and pesticide usage by 100 percent, all while maximizing crop yields. Plants grown in the aeroponics systems have also been shown to uptake more minerals and vitamins, making the plants healthier and potentially more nutritious. [26] One of the biggest names in vertical farming, however, has a different business model. Aero Farms in New Jersey, USA, has opened what they say is the world’s largest indoor vertical farm – with a total of 7,000 sq. m (70,000 sq. ft.) floor space.
3.9 HYDROPONIC FODDER
Fig: 3.2 Hydroponic fodder production Source: foddermachine.com Hydroponic fodder production involves supplying cereal grain with necessary moisture and nutrients, to enable germination and plant growth in the absence of a solid growing 37
medium. The resulting green shoots and root mat are harvested and fed to livestock. The grain responds to the supply of moisture and nutrients by germinating, sprouting and then producing a 200 – 250mm long vegetative green shoot with interwoven roots within 7 to 8 days. [27] Dr. Meeta Punjabi Mehta, Dr. Ankaj Sharma, Creative Agrisolutions
3.10 FARMERS MARKET IN PAKISTAN Hydroponics is being used with the trademark Bio blitz. Bio blitz is working efficiently on hydroponics and mass-producing fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients and wholly organic. An example is that of „Farmers Market in Pakistan‟, they are the pioneering hydro-plants grower in Pakistan. The traditional farming can be replaced by innovative farming practices in the future, when Hydroponics and Aeroponics will be commonly seen all over Pakistan. Let’s hope for a green future! All plants are different with respect to nutritional requirements. Some require diverse growing conditions and some can be grown easily in manmade environments. Tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, some unique ornamental plants like “air grass” can be grown by either of the techniques. “Through this technique, farmers can get between 450 and 550 tons of vegetables per acre” Rana is a firm believer in the potential of hydroponic farming to transform Pakistani agriculture. “Every year, we import vegetables from India. If the government takes an interest in promoting these new technologies, we would not need to import from other countries. In fact, the country could earn a lot of foreign exchange by exporting to other countries.”[28]
3.11 HYDROPONIC
FARMING
HELPS
ACHIEVE
AGRI.
TARGETS Pakistan can enhance vegetable and fruit crops yield with hydroponic farming technology to overcome the food shortages and price hike tendency. This technology would not only raise yield but also enhance nutrition abilities of plants. Hydroponics can be a futuristic technology for Pakistan to ensure proper supply of vegetable and fruits crops as it uses 70 percent to 90 percent less water than irrigated soil based agriculture. No water was lost in the ground or absorbed by weeds or lost in evaporation, officials in Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) said [29]
38
3.12 CONCEPT VIABILITY Urban Crops says that vertical farming yields more crops per square metre than traditional farming or greenhouses do. Vertical farming also uses less water, grows plants faster, and can be used year-round – not just in certain seasons. The facilities also can, in theory, be built anywhere. At Urban Crops, eight layers of plants can be stacked in an area of just 30sq m (322 sq. ft.). It’s not a commercial-sized operation, but rather a proving ground intended to show that the concept is viable.[30] - Chris Baraniuk 6 April 2017
3.13 ASSOCIATIONS AND INSTITUTION There are a lot of centers (more than 150 for Christine Zimmermann-Loessl of the Association for Vertical Farming)[31] working on realization, realization and on their physical, economic and structural feasibility: ThanetEarth (UK); NewYork-Sunworks (USA); Omega-Garden (Canada); Levenston (Canada); PlantLab (Italy); VertiCrop (Canada); Plantagon International AB (Swedish), ENEA (Italy); Sky Greens (Singapore); The Plant (USA), Mirai Co. (Japan), Aerofarms INRA-AgroParisTech (French), German Aerospace Centre (Germany), Urban Pastoral Collective (USA), EcoGeek (USA), SOA (France); ODA architecture (USA), to name just a few. There are also numerous universities that foster research in this area: in addition to Columbia University (USA) in which D. Despommier, we mention a few other: Clemson University Institute of Applied Ecology (USA); Faculty of the Architecture Department in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Architecture Savannah College of Art and Design (USA), Politecnico di Torino (Italia), School of Architecture, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia (Canada), Università La Sapienza di Roma (Italy) and the Università di Perugia (Italy). [32]
3.14 CONCLUSIONS In the name of progress, man is turning the world into a fetid and poisonous place (and this is "anything but" a symbolic picture). It is polluting the air, water, soil, animals and himself, to the point that it is legitimate to ask whether, in a hundred years, you can still live on earth.
39
-Erich Fromm We already have the statistics for the future: the growth in percentages of pollution, overpopulation, and desertification. The future is already in place. -Gunter Grass By me the appropriate form for vertical farming can be good solution for these all reviews. For this as per technology and consideration small multi storey vertical farms are to be built with hydroponic method in urban areas.
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CHAPTER NO 04 4 DATA ANALYSIS OF PROTOTYPE VERTICAL FARMING
4.1 INTRODUCTION The course of the Indus River never stays the same and over thousands of years it has gradually shifted. Additionally, the Indus Delta has been continuously growing, thereby increasing the cultivable land. Currently, 40% of the land in Sindh is arable and 5% is rangeland. The total cultivated area of Sindh is 5.88 million hectares and the total cropped area is 3.10 million hectares. So for the hottest day of the year (June 22) and the coldest day of the year (Dec 22). According to the Association for Vertical Farming. “The vertical farming industry, which practices growing food inside buildings or greenhouses, is likely to triple in size by 2017�,
4.2 SEASONS OF CULTIVATION There are two seasons of cultivation. Kharif, or summer crops, are planted in June and harvested in October. Rabi, or winter crops, are planted in October and harvested in March.
4.3 MAJOR CROPS Sindh produces a variety of field and horticultural crops. Major Field crops are wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton; approximately 68% of the total cropped area is used for their production. Of the total output in Pakistan, Sindh produces 35% of the rice, 28% of sugarcane, 12% of wheat, and 20% of the cotton. Major horticulture crops are mangoes, bananas and chilies. Of the total output, Sindh produces 88% of chilies, 73% of bananas, and 34% of the mangoes. Sindh also has cultivable land under usage for fodder, pulses, condiments, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables. [33]
41
4.4 CROP DAMAGE According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock as of late August 2010, economic losses due to PKR 52
billion to over 80,000 hectares of sugarcane,
PKR 21.3
billion of rice,
PKR 22.4
billion of maize,
PKR 17.3
billion of wheat stock after damaging over 667,000 tonnes
PKR 45
billion to fruits, fodder and vegetables
Pakistan floods cause about PRs 200 billion loss to agriculture in august 2013
4.5 AGRO ECONOMY LOSSES The on-going devastating floods have affected standing crops on 1.05 million acres of land, which as per rough official estimates has caused about PRs 200 billion losses to the agro-economy, making it almost next to impossible for the country to meet the set growth target for the current year, officials said of Ministry of National Food Security and Research said.
4.6 FOSSIL FUELS, TRANSPORT AND WASTING Farming involves huge amounts of fossil fuels. It´s estimated that in America alone, 20% of fossil fuels is used in agriculture. Annually, every American consumes about four to eight barrels of oil used to produce the food they consume. In addition to all the environmental issues linked to fossil fuel consumption it greatly affects food prices as the price of food becomes linked to the price of oil. (Ellis, 2012, Despommier, 2009). Much of this fossil fuel consumption is due to transportation and storage but also machinery used in production. Transportation in agricultural industry operates mainly by fossil fuels and is a tremendous source of greenhouse gas emission and pollution (Sharanbir et al, 2011).
42
Vast quantities of fuel is also required in the production process. For instance, ploughing, seeding, harvesting, applying fertilizer etc., are all activities that require massive amounts of fossil fuels (Despommier, 2012). In a vertical farm, no heavy machinery will be needed in production as this process is largely automatized by robotics (Naoshi Kondo 2012). Transportation and storage is also a cause of food wasting and spoilage. Thirty percent of harvested crops is lost due to infestation and spoilage during storage and transport (Despommier, 2009).
4.7 ANNUALLY HARVESTED TOMATOES WASTES The Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Limited, has said every year, over 75 per cent of tomatoes harvested are wasted in the hands of farmers while Nigeria remains the largest importer of tomato paste in the world. He said, “It may interest you to know that Nigeria is the biggest importer of tomato paste in the world while over 75 per cent of fresh tomatoes harvested get wasted in the hands of our farmers yearly due to the fact that there is no means of making use of them industrially.” According to Umeofia, who is a major stakeholder in the tomato paste and food processing sector, unlike China where there is only one favourable planting and harvest season, Nigeria is blessed with two favourable planting and harvest seasons. [34]
4.8 CROPS
SUITABLE
FOR
HYDROPONIC
VERTICAL
FARMING Many crops can be used under vertical farm growing conditions. The following high value crops are selected for Hydroponic vertical farming. • Leafy greens: kales, specialty lettuces, mustards, and spinaches • Herbs: cilantro, basil, and Oregano. • Tomatoes: different varieties of tomatoes suitable for greenhouse environment will be used. 43
• Cucumbers: grafted cucumbers, rootstock to be determined. • Strawberries: suitable varieties. • Edible flowers: pansies, violas, nasturtiums. Other crops will be considered once we determine the environmental conditions.
4.9 CONSUMPTION OF SOILLESS FARMING SYSTEM Many studies describe the quantitatively the differences between the three most common soilless farming system as compared to the conventional farming system, in term of the irrigation water, fertilizer consumption, crop productivity and the productively of the unit of irrigation water. Table 4.1 shows the average values which have been collected from many of the research review which have been implemented in different locations. The results showed the highest water productivity could obtained under the Aeroponics farming system, also the closed system always showed a higher water productivity over the open system.[35]
Table 4.1 Percentage of water and fertilizer consumption saving Source: Google percentage of water and fertilizer consumption vegetable yield percentage and percentage of water productivity for different new farming systems as compared with conventional farming system.
4.10 THE VERTICAL FARMING ARCHITECTURE The vertical farming architecture is categorized into various sections that there are energy management, water management it also known as hydroponics, cropping method and harvesting manner etc. The vertical farming architecture is also depended on the construction oriented process, where it takes the complex situation some times 44
that there enough sunlight radiation has to pass on all crops of the plants for the healthy growth.
4.10.1 WATER REQUIREMENT For many years, it has been a common practice to water until water runs out of the bottom of the pots, and up to 50% of all the water may be lost this way. In addition to inefficient water use, excess watering results in leaching of fertilizer out of the pots. For soil-grown crop production, sensors will be used to water according to the needs of the plants, to minimize leaching while still achieving optimum growth. Hydroponic growing systems have potential to reduce water requirements by 70%. For this, since the water can be reused, water requirements will be significantly reduced.
4.10.2 LIGHT The most advanced cooling system available for hot weather production will be utilized. Depending on the types of crops to be grown in the vertical farm, natural and artificial lighting will be in high demand to ensure success. In addition, there will need to be additional lighting for daily activities. It will be important to select lighting that has low energy demand and long life.
4.10.3 VEGETABLES MINIMUM SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENT Fruiting Vegetables - 8 hours of sun, this includes tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and vine crops such as cucumbers, melons, and squash. Root Vegetables - 6 hours of sun Carrots, beets, etc. Leafy Vegetables - 4 hours of sun, these are your "greens" such as lettuce, spinach and collards.
4.10.4 NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS There are twenty mineral elements considered necessary or beneficial for plant growth. Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S) are required by plants in large amounts are supplied by air and water. The rest are required in trace amounts (micronutrients) as solution A. Essential trace elements include boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni).[36] 45
4.10.5 TECHNOLOGIES SELECTED FOR GROWING AND HARVESTING Energy requirements for the farm will also greatly depend on the types of systems employed to accomplish the growing and harvesting at the farm. The larger the system, the larger the energy demand. Additionally, the organize system is required for the operation.
4.11 DESIGN POTENTIAL The resources used in this prototype vertical farming system where the windmill is used to generate electricity for the water pumping system, also these windmills are kept at the top of the farm where together air source and other energy resources are added. Additionally such as solar energy for the purpose of generating the artificial light source to the crops for the high yielding. The vertical farming requires the water harvesting, hydroponics technique, fade type of glasses and suitable architecture structure to the vertical farming in the way of designing potentially. The reaping process also known as water management process, thus especially the water is going to be managed in the vertical farming structure. Where some of the method such as rain water harvesting method, this method explains that water which are collected for the rain are too passed through pipes to crops, so by getting of the rain water through indirect process will get an healthy and natural yielding, these activities are done through the hydroponic system it is stated as the nutrient content are going to be passed on the crops through the pipes, while flowing of water to the crops regularly the mineral is also to be added in the water.
4.12 ECONOMIC VIABILITY The conclusions of insights into the economic viability of a new CEA system producing hydroponic lettuce by gunes ilaslan, Gerald b. White, & Robert w. Langhans study indicated that southern and southwestern areas have a cost advantage in the production of controlled environment agriculture hydroponic lettuce. The cities of Miami, Raleigh, and St. Louis had the lowest per unit production costs because of higher natural light condition, relatively low heating requirements, and labour costs [37].
46
4.13 A THEORETICAL CONSTRUCT OF A VERTICAL FARM Theoretically describe the construction of hydroponic vertical farm
4.13.1 FUELLING THE FARM AND WATER SUPPLY Sticking with the theme of sustainability and avoiding linear use of resources, the farm would be for the most part powered by wind, wave, solar energy or another sustainable fuel. For example, left over plant mass from crop production or biomass from wastewater treatment vertical farms would be incinerated and converted to biofuel, and reused to help power our farm. Any water needed for our farm would come from recycled municipal waste water from a nearby standalone waste water treatment vertical farm. The water could then be recycled within our crop farm as transpired water could be recollected by placing dehumidification devices on each floor, recollecting the water and putting it back in to circulation. Additional water needed for the farm could possibly come from rain water collected from the roof top
4.13.2 CROPS GROWING FLOORS, FORM AND FUNCTION Technology within the vertical farm would be similar to the principles of Maximum yield and High rise crops. For example, an automated conveyor would be used to move the plants from one floor to the other while the plants grow from seedling to mature and reach the harvester at other. Along the way, water and lighting could be optimized for each growth stage. To add additional efficiency, plants could be stacked in layers on each floor, using existing hydroponic growing technology
(Despommier, 2009). 4.13.3 BUILDING
DESIGNED
FOR
MAXIMUM
LIGHT
EFFICIENCY The building architecture itself would be optimized for maximum light efficiency. Windows and rooftops could be designed to get the most out of the sun according to seasonal variation, summer, winter, spring and fall in temperate regions. However, additional lighting would be required, preferably some form of LED lighting as this technology is advancing rapidly. With superior lamp life and a strong declining cost function, LED lighting seems to be the most economically viable alternative. [38]
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4.13.4 BOTTOM FLOOR To take adhere fully to the principle of localized food production, the bottom floor of our vertical farm would include some form of grocery store or even a restaurant where crops and produce are sold. The freshness of the produce would be hard to match as it can be sold immediately after harvest, and the price could even be lower than "standard" as the expense of transportation and storage was removed (Ellis, 2012, Sharanbir et al, 2011).
4.14 AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN PAKISTAN Total area
2014
Density of population
2011
Total area per 1000 population 2011 2014
Land area
Land area per 1000 population 2011 Land area (percentage of total area)
2014
Water surface Water
surface
per
1000
population Water surface (percentage of total area) Agricultural land Agricultural land per 1000 population Agricultural land (percentage of total area)
2014
796 100 km2 235.3 persons per km2 4.2
km2 per
1000
population
770 880 km2 4.1
km2 per
1000
population
96.8 % of total area 25 220 km2 km2 per
1000
2011
0.1
2014
3.2 % of total area
population
2007
273 000 km2
2007
1.5
2007
km2 per
1000
population
34.3 % of total area
48
Agricultural land (percentage of land area)
2007
Arable land Arable
2007
land
per
1000
population Arable land (percentage of total area) Arable land (percentage of land area)
2007
215 000 km2 1.1
km2 per
1000
population
2007
27.0 % of total area
2007
27.9 % of land area
2007
78.8
Arable land (percentage of agricultural land) Permanent crops
35.4 % of land area
2007
Permanent crops per 1000 2007
population
% of agricultural area
8 000 km2 0.0
km2 per
1000
population
Permanent crops (percentage of 2007
1.0 % of total area
2007
1.0 % of land area
2007
2.9
total area) Permanent crops (percentage of land area) Permanent crops (percentage of agricultural land)
% of agricultural area
Table: 4.2 Agricultural Land Use in Pakistan Source: google
4.15 FAREED FARMHOUSE ANALYSIS The methods used by Fareed Farmhouse, however, do not come cheap. Hydroponic farming requires an investment of up to Rs1.5 million per acre, though it can yield net profits of up to Rs3 million per acre annually. Tahir Rana, however, is not content with just reaping the rewards of the existing techniques. He plans to spend up to Rs4 million in researching new methods and new variants of seeds. He is also planning on rapidly expanding his production base to up to 20 acres in the Faisalabad area. [39] 49
4.16 TESTING OF HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said use of modern technology in agriculture would strengthen economy and improve lives of farmers in the country. Speaking at a ceremony to launch “Testing of Indigenous Hydroponic Greenhouse for Vegetable Growing at various locations in Punjab” at the Governor’s House here, he said the government had been promoting the use of modern technology in farming so that agro-based industry could
flourish.
The hydroponic research had been promoted by the provincial Agriculture department in collaboration with the Pir Mehar Ali Shah Arid University, Rawalpindi and such units would be set up at various locations in the province. [40]
4.17 SMEDA REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF HYDROPONIC Agricultural development program funded about PRs. 4,767.36 million in which government share PRs. 3,475.00 million through kissan package and farmer’s contributed 1,292.36 million for promotion of high technology agricultural farming in Pakistan for (2016-17 to 2018-19). [41]
4.17.1 CAPITAL INVESTMENT SMEDA (Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority) reported that Capital Investment for 1 acre of solar high tech agricultural land costs PRs 27, 80,000. [42]
Sr.
No. Item/ Particular
Cost/ acre (PKR)
1
Drip Irrigation System
250,000
2
Solar System
200,000
3
High Tunnel
1,400,000
4
Water Storage Pond
100,000
5
Hydroponic System
800,000
6
Training per farmer
30,000
Total
2,780,000 Table 4.3 Capital Investment Source: SMEDA report 50
4.17.2
COMPARATIVE YIELDS
Comparative yield of per acre crop in soil and hydroponics system Crop
Soil System (lb)
Hydroponics system (lb)
Potatoes
16,000
1,40,000
Lettuce
9,000
21,000
Tomatoes
10,000-20,000
1,20,000-6,00,000
Cucumbers
7,000
28,000
Table 4.4 Comparative Yields Per acre in soil and hydroponics system Source: SMEDA report Note: Yield of tomato in hydroponic system is 10-30 times more than the conventional soil system.
4.18 CONCLUSION Data analysis suggested us about several parameters of hydroponic farming and give us way to do practice of hydroponic in vertical farming.
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Chapter 05 5 CASESTUDY In the past few decades, the conservation about urban agriculture and vertical farming has proliferated and many contemporary architects have started to join in. These precedents may involve agriculture in architecture at various levels from the scale of a city to a scale of a single institutional building. But however, an agricultural component is always included as the main conceptual consideration in the design. The following studies exhibit how urban agriculture has been explored and what kind of forms are using for vertical farming.
5.1
PASONA HQ, TOKYO.
Project type: Renovation and Refurbishing Building type: office. Architect: Kono architect, New York Year: 2010 Area: 215,000 Client: Pasona Location: japan Context: urban
Figure 5.1 Day view of Pasona HQ Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs 52
The project consists of a double-skin green facade, offices, an auditorium, cafeterias, a rooftop garden and most notably, urban farming facilities integrated within the building. The green space totals over 43,000 square feet with 200 species including fruits, vegetables and rice that are harvested, prepared and served at the cafeterias within the building. It is the largest and most direct farm-to-table of its kind ever realised inside an office building in Japan.
5.1.1 IMPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN Currently, Japan produces less than one-third of their grain locally and imports over 50 million tons of food annually, which on average is transported over 9,000 miles, the highest in the world. As the crops harvested in Pasona HQ are served within the building cafeterias, it highlights 'zero food mileage' concept of a more sustainable food distribution system that reduces energy and transportation cost.as in figure 5.2 Japan's reliance on imported food is due to its limited arable land. Merely 12% of its land is suitable for cultivation. Farmland in Pasona HQ is highly efficient urban arable land, stacked as a vertical farm with modern farming technology to maximise crop yields.
53
Figure 5.2 Farmers recruitment and Food mileage Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs
5.1.2 FAÇADE AND MATERIAL The double-skin green facade features seasonal flowers and orange trees planted within the 3' deep balconies. Partially relying on natural exterior climate, these plants create a living green wall and a dynamic identity to the public. The balconies also help shade and insulate the interiors while providing fresh air with operable windows, a practical feature not only rare for a midrise commercial building but also helps reduce heating and cooling loads of the building during moderate climate.it can be seen in figure 5.3. The entire facade is then wrapped with deep grid of fins, creating further depth, volume and orders to the organic green wall.
Figure 5.3 Façade and materials Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs
5.1.3 INTERIOR CEILING HEIGHTS Within the interior, the deep beams and large columns of the existing structure are arranged in a tight interval causing low interior ceiling of 7'-6". With building services passing below, some area was even lower at 6'-8". Instead, all ducts, pipes and their
54
vertical shafts were re-routed to the perimeter, allowing maximum height between the beams. As seen in figure 5.4 Lightings are then installed, hidden on the bottom vertical edge of the beams, turning the spaces between the beams into a large light cove without further lowering the ceiling. This lighting method, used throughout the workspace from second floor to 9th floor, achieved 30% less energy than the conventional ceiling mounted method.
Figure 5.4 Interior lighting and ceiling height Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs
5.1.4 FARMING TECHNIQUES Using both hydroponic and soil based farming, as seen in figure 5.5 in Pasona HQ, crops and office workers share a common space. For example, tomato vines are suspended above conference tables, lemon and passion fruit trees are used as partitions for meeting spaces, salad leaves are grown inside seminar rooms and bean sprouts are grown under benches.
55
Figure 5.5 Soil based farming Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs
5.1.5 PLANNING AND SECTION The main lobby also features a rice paddy and a broccoli field. These crops are equipped with metal halide, fluorescent and LED lamps and an automatic irrigation system. An intelligent climate control system monitors humidity, temperature and breeze to balance human comfort during office hours and optimise crop growth during afterhours. This maximises crop yield and annual harvests.
56
Figure 5.6 Ground floor plan Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs
57
Figure 5.7 Upper floor plan Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs
58
ï‚· SECTION
Figure 5.8 Section of balconies Source: Pasona Urban Farm by Kono Designs 59
5.1.6 REDUCE ABSENTEEISM AND STAFF TURNOVER COST Besides future sustainability of farmers, Pasona HQ's urban farm is beyond visual and aesthetic improvement. It exposes city workers to growing crops and interaction with farmland on a daily basis and provides improvement in mental health, productivity and relaxation in the workplace. Studies show that most people in urbanised societies spend over 80% of their time indoors. Plants are also known to improve the air quality we breathe by carbon sequestration and removing volatile organic compound. A sampling on the air at Pasona HQ have shown reduction of carbon dioxide where plants are abundant. Such improvement on the air quality can increase productivity at work by 12%, improves common symptoms of discomfort and ailments at work by 23%, reduce absenteeism and staff turnover cost. With this Pasona Urban Farm is a unique workplace environment that promotes higher work efficiency, social interaction, and future sustainability that engages the wider community of Tokyo by showcasing the benefits and technology of urban agriculture.
5.2
AGRO-HOUSING: WUHAN CHINA
Project type: Multi- family Residential Architect: Knfao Kilmore architects Area: 10,000 sq. m. Year of completion: 2015 Client: Living steel Location: Wuhan, China Climate: Warm, humid Context: Suburban The environmental situation in China worsens by the day, with billions being spent on infrastructure and development projects for rapidly urbanizing agricultural land, small scale towns and villages. The Chinese have no other choice but to urbanize these spaces order to accommodate the rapidly growing urban population. By 2025, the government of China passed a rule that involved mandatory displacement of 250 million farmers
60
and rural dwellers from the country side to the cities. This not only creates housing shortage but also causes forced lifestyle changes and culture shifts. The idea behind Agro-Housing is to create, a close to home space where families can produce their own food supply according to their abilities, tastes, and choices allowing citizens more independence, freedom, and an additional income.
5.2.1 THE AGRO-HOUSING ASSEMBLAGE Agro- housing is a significant study that addresses the juxtaposition of urban living with agriculture. In the design of the apartment, the spaces incorporate within them two basic elements- Apartment type housing towards the north, east and west and a multi-floor greenhouse- in the southern faรงade. The apartment contains a centrally placed core that divide the community from the cultivated spaces but at the same time grants equal access to the green space from all the apartments, for the unification of the community as seen in figure 5.9. The apartments promote the sense of individualism; while, the agricultural components are located at the interface between the apartments in order to act as spatial bridges for communal harmony in the common areas. Ultimately, the design implements vertical farming-to allow assimilation of the agricultural lifestyle and rural culture into urban living.
61
Figure 5.9 Agro-housing assemblage Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
5.2.2 CONCEPT The concept of Agro-Housing is a housing program that will allow the formation of a new social and urban order and that can be replicated as it represents basic human values lost in the process of modernization and progress. Agro-Housing will reduce the need for commuting and the extra development of the transportation system and it will replace the urban zoning strategy by more sustainable urban conception.
5.2.3 GREENHOUSE COMPONENTS IRRIGATION
Complete drip irrigation system.
Advanced fertilizer dosing system
Irrigation controller
Water disinfection system
Water recycling system
Water treatment solution
GROWING METHODS 62
Soil-less material: coco peat, rock wool, volcanic ash, perlite, etc.
Growing gutter system
Trellis system
CONTROL • Full range of climate and irrigation controllers, according to one’s needs. ACTIVE VENTILATION/COOLING •Circulation fans •Shading/thermal screens
HANGING SYSTEM •Versatile system fit for a variety of crops and treatments
5.2.4 AGRO-HOUSING AND SUSTAINABILITY The Agro-Housing is a combination of housing and urban agriculture. The building is composed of two parts: the apartment’s tower and the vertical greenhouse. The greenhouse is a multi-level structure for cultivation of agriculture crops such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and spices, equipped with a drip irrigation system and natural ventilation and heating system. The Agro-Housing project offers spaces for communal activities. The greenhouse can serve as a place of casual and professional meetings. The roof garden offers an open air green space for recreation and informal gatherings. The roof’s sky club is designed to host social gathering sand celebrations, and the kindergarten on ground floor welcomes children close to home and their parents. The Agro-Housing project provides a diversity of spaces for the benefit of its inhabitants. It can be seen from figure 5.10 to 5.14
63
5.2.5 NATURAL RESOURCES & CLIMATE CONTROL
Figure 5.10 Day view of Pasona HQ Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
64
5.2.6 WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE
Figure 5.11 Day view of Pasona HQ Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
65
5.2.7 AXONOMETRIC PROGRAM OF AGRO-HOUSING
Figure 5.12 Day view of Pasona HQ Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
66
5.2.8 WINTER SUN AND AIR VENTILATION
Figure 5.13 Day view of Pasona HQ Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
67
5.2.9 SUMMER SUN AND AIR VENTILATION
Figure 5.14 Day view of Pasona HQ Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
68
5.2.10 PLANNING
Figure 5.15 Ground floor plan Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
Figure 5.16 3RD FLOOR PLAN Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
69
Figure 5.17 Roof top plan Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
5.2.11 ELEVATION
Figure 5.18 South Elevation Source: scribd /34273490/Agro-Housing
70
5.2.12 AGRO-HOUSING – CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS The proposed structure of the building will be composed of metal columns and beams on a grid of 10m x 9m. On top of the corrugated steel sheets, a five centimetre concrete layer will be applied. These lightweight steel sheets will be prefabricated and installed onsite. Additionally, the concrete staircase will stabilize the building’s structure. This prefab steel system will create flexible spaces in the building and will contribute to the sustainability of the project. In the end the building’s life, it will be easily recycled. Facade - The exterior panels will be prefabricated using a modular grid. The glazed panels will have sliding shading in the same dimension. The other panels on the façade will be covered with terracotta tiles, a sustainable material. Materiality - The choice of materials in the building will consider thermal qualities and abilities to be recycled at the end of the building. Insulation – Using structurally insulated panels to determine the energy efficiency of the building and reduce future energy expenses. End of life - A majority of the suggested building materials: steel, aluminium, and terracotta tiles are recyclable.
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5.3 HYDROPONICS GREENHOUSE 5.3.1 INTRODUCTION A hydroponic lettuce greenhouse operation Address: 10 Pinckney Road Ithaca, NY 14850 U.S.A. Currently operated by Challenge Industries, Inc., Ithaca NYC.
Figure 5.19 Floating hydroponic Greenhouse Source: Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program Year-round and rapid production is made possible with accurate greenhouse climate control, including the integration of supplemental lighting and carbon dioxide enrichment of the greenhouse air. Construction was started in March, 1998, and completed in April, 1999. Two full-time and one part-time greenhouse grower operate the facility and produced 945 heads of lettuce each day, seven days per week. It took 36 days from seed to produce a target minimum fresh shoot mass of 150 g (5.3 ounces). But according to new research it takes 20 days from seed to produce a target minimum fresh shoot mass of 150 g (5.3 ounces).
5.3.2 BACKGROUND History of the project, included the design and construction of the
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750 m2 (8,064 ft2) greenhouse
360 m2 (3,840 ft2) head house.
Year-round and consistent production with a high turnover rate was thought key for the success of these capital-intensive production systems. Two hydroponic growing systems had been utilized:
The nutrient film technique (NFT)
Floating hydroponics (FH).
For lettuce production, FH system had clear advantages over the NFT system:
Cheaper to install,
Easy crop movement through the greenhouse,
Large buffer capacity for pH and nutrients in the nutrient solution volume, and large nutrient solution volume in direct contact with the plant roots
5.3.3 HEADHOUSE AND PLANT GROWTH ROOM 1. HEAD HOUSE A 29.3 m (96 feet) by 12.2 m (40 feet) post-frame head house was built along the entire North wall of the greenhouse. The head house contains a
general work area,
utility room,
plant growth room,
cold storage room (large enough to hold several days of harvested product),
restroom,
computer station
Loading dock.
The general work area houses the
73
fertilizer injection system,
washing station,
harvesting and packing station,
seeding station,
Liquid oxygen tanks.
A weather station (temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and light sensor) was attached to the roof of the head house. A refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide tank was located outside the facility.
2. GERMINATION ROOM The plant growth room (6.1 by 7.3 m, or 20 by 24 feet) is used for seedling production. Seed trays are kept on ebb and flow benches, which are sub irrigated three times a day for 15 minutes. The temperature (24 C continuously) inside the growth room is maintained by an offthe-shelf air conditioning unit. The recirculating chiller is located in the general work area outside the growth room. Warm air released from the chiller is exhausted outside the head house. Carbon dioxide enrichment of the growth room air will be used to further increase seedling growth and development.
3. GROWTH ROOM The growth room temperature is maintained at 24c continuously by a room air conditioning unit. The location of each supplemental lighting luminaire was carefully calculated with the help of a computer software program for optimum light uniformity at plant level as in figure 5.20 Each pond is equipped with a nutrient solution recirculation system (larger white PVC pipes)
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Figure 5.20 Optimum lighting at plant level Source: Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program Three pumper head are used to pump the A and B stock solutions and nitric acid into the main nutrient solution. A flow meter (bottom sensor) is installed to measure the flow rate of the nutrient solution flowing through the fertigation station. Each pond recirculation system is equipped with flow meter as in figure 5.21
Figure 5.21 Three pumper head and Flow meter Source: Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program
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5.3.4 LETTUCE PRODUCTION Each day, 1200 naked lettuce seeds are sown with a vacuum seeder in Rockwool slabs, placed in plastic trays, and moved into the growth room. For three days, the seedling trays are covered with transparent lids to maintain a high humidity around the germinating seeds. In addition, a shade screen is placed over the lids for the first 24 hours after seeding to reduce light levels during the germination process.
 TRANSPLANTATION After 12 days, the seedlings are transplanted into the greenhouse. In the greenhouse, the Rockwool slabs are separated into individual seedling cells, which are snugly fitted into large washer-like plastic holders which are floated on top of the nutrient solution. The plants are grown for 14 days at the final spacing.
 ROCKWOOL SLABS The Rockwool slabs (holding 7 by 14 plugs) are wetted with tap water. The slabs were placed in plastic trays for easy transportation. Using a small vacuum seeder, the (naked) lettuce seeds are sown in the Rockwool slabs as in figure 5.22 little suction holes in the seeder tray line up with small indentations on the rock wool slab.
Figure 5.22 Rockwool slabs Source: Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program
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PLASTIC TRAYS The plastic trays with rock wool slabs are placed on ebb and flood benches in the growth room. The plastic trays are covered with transparent covers for the first three days after sowing to maintain high humidity levels. The seedling trays are placed on an ebb and flood table in the growth room and bottom irrigated. The nutrient solution tank is located directly underneath the bench. Some of the seedling trays in this picture figure 5.23 are covered with transparent covers to maintain high humidity during germination.
Figure 5.23 Plastic seedling trays Source: Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program
STYROFOAM FLOATERS The Styrofoam floaters (2 by 4 feet and holding 60 [6 by 10] seedlings in a rectangular spacing pattern) are placed on top of the nutrient solution in one of the four ponds. After 10 days at the initial greenhouse spacing, the plants start to crowd each other and they have to be replaced. In this picture, a Styrofoam floater with 60 plants is taken out of one of the ponds.
FINAL PLANT SPACING 77
The final plant spacing is 21 (3 by 7) plants on a 2 by 4 feet Styrofoam floater in a rectangular spacing pattern. In figure 5.24, the plants are transferred from a floater with the initial spacing density (7.5 plants/square foot) to a floater with the final spacing density (2.63 plants/square foot).The plants remain at the final spacing for another 14 days. After a total of 36 days, the plants are ready to be harvested, the plants are ready to be harvested.
Figure 5.24 Final plant spacing Source: Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program
5.3.5 HARVESTED LETTUCE AND STORAGE The freshly harvested lettuce heads are placed in cardboard boxes (three layers of eight heads). The boxes are placed on pallets (42 boxes per pallet) and the pallets are placed in the cold storage room (at kept at 33-38F) for at least 24 hours to remove the so-called field heat.
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CHAPTER 06 6 LIGHTING IN VERTICAL FARM All daylighting strategies make use of the luminance distribution from the sun, sky, buildings, and ground. Daylight strategies depend on the availability of natural light, which is determined by the latitude of the building site and the conditions immediately surrounding the building, e.g., the presence of obstructions. Daylighting strategies are also affected by climate; thus, the identification of seasonal, prevailing climate conditions, particularly ambient temperatures and sunshine probability, is a basic step in daylight design. Studying both climate and daylight availability at a construction site is key to understanding the operating conditions of the building’s façade.
6.1 WORLD RENERGY DEMAND Relative increasing energy consumption in world from 1990- 2040 can be seen in figure 6.1. It can be configured that the need of energy will increase by 2025.
Figure 6.1: World energy demand Source: International Energy Outlook 2016
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6.2 COST TO PRODUCE FOOD It can be seen in the figure 6.2, that fuels has maximum cost to produce food, with this also transportation expenditure increases the cost of food. The maximum fuel use in the food production to generate electricty. Prics incides for seed, fertilizer, pesticides, fuels, wages, and crops, 1982-2010
Figure 6.2: World energy demand Source: USDA.NASS 2012.
6.3 RANKING
OF
ENERGY
TECHNOLOGIES
FOR
PRODUCING ELECTRICITY In vertical farm electricity costs huge, so for this if sustainable manner of generating electricity will use in the building its over all cost can be minimize. Solar energy is high in demand and contributed highly in electricity production as seen in figure 6.3 assuming equal weight to all criteria. Solar-PV has high potential of generating electricity, for this solar panel are used for vertical farming.
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Figure 6.3: Potential of generating electricity Source: Mixed use vertical farming complex Nov. 30, 2016
Ranking of energy technologies for electricity assuming equal weight to all criteria. Criteria: Financial-Technical=Environmental-Socio-Economic.
6.4 LIGHT SERVICES IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS Only 37 % of the energy in sunlight is within the wave length (colour) useful for photosynthesis, while 62 % is infrared (Thermal energy) and the remaining 0.6 % is ultraviolet. Photosynthesis in the plan t leaf is powered by 1% of the sunlight that falls on the plant, 10 % of the sunlight is elected and 10 % passes through the leaf. The leaf will retain 80% which is used for transportation. Some of the light is re-radiated, while the fraction that remains is used for building food from the, minerals and water.[45]
6.5 INTENSITY AND SPECTRUM The quality of light refers to the intensity and spectrum of colours contained within the light, as different colours of light affect the plant in different ways can be seen in figure6.4 Different plants require varied length of daylight hours, this duration of day light is called the photo period. Photo period affects flowering (reproduction), and in m any cases must be precise to induce the flowering of certain species. In addition, different plant types require different light intensities.
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Figure 6.4: Intensity and spectrum of colors Source: Stein_CEA_HydroponicsPrimer_2013
6.6 LIGHT EFFECT ON PLANT WHITE COLOUR It is actually a combination of all colours of light Red + Green +Blue (and all colours in between)
BLUE LIGHT Photosynthesis occurs, tips grow toward light, hormones trigger growth, and dormancy is inhibited. Metal Halide lamps are high in blue light making them good for leafy plants.
GREEN LIGHT Most of this colour light is reflected, that is why plants appear green, and however some green light is required for growth. Most HID lamps do not emit much green light.
RED LIGHT 82
Photo synthesis occurs, seed germination aided, pigments formed, flowering aided, dormancy included. High pressure sodium bulbs emit red light and are generally better for flowering and fruiting plants.
 FAR-RED LIGHT Speed up some full sun plants, reverses some red light effects. HID lighting usually doesn’t emit far-red except in the case of some High and low pressure sodium bulbs, more so in the form of heart rather than photosynthetic light.
6.7 CHLOROPHYLL ACTIVITY Chlorophyll activity in different type of lights are mentioned in the figure 6.5
Figure 6.5: Chlorophyll activity in different lights Source: How to Hydroponics by Keith Roberto
6.8 FOUR CHLOROPHYLL ABSORPTION PEAKS There are four chlorophyll absorption peaks and led grow lights use four different types of LEDs to hit all four peaks (two red and two blue). Early LED grow lamps used hundreds of 1 or 2 watt and were not effective replacements for hid lamps. Newer
83
advanced LED grow lamps use automotive grade 6 watt LEDs and have shown similar results to hid lamps.
6.9 LIGHT SYSTEM Light system in this building can be classified into two main categories-
6.9.1 SUN LIGHT SYSTEM A network of reflectors on every floor to utilize maximum sunlight during day time and also can be used for light during night by using led. Network of side reflector consist of reflecting panels placed around periphery of the building. At the ceiling of each floor a network of concave shaped reflectors are arranged so as to reflect the rays received by the side reflectors to the plants as in figure 6.6
Figure 6.6: Sunlight reflectors Source: Growing Power Vertical Farm. Impact – Building Systems Integration
6.9.2 ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SYSTEM Plants grow best when provided with the same spectrum of colours (violet to red) as natural sunlight. Although some artificial lights can come close to the quality of natural light, most produce either more or less of certain colours in the spectrum.
 GROW LIGHT It is an electric lamp designed to promote plant growth by emitting an electromagnetic spectrum appropriate for photosynthesis. The emitted light spectrum is similar to that from the sun, allowing indoor growth with outdoor conditions. Natural daylight has a 84
high color temperature (approx. 6000 k) and appears bluish. Through the use of the color rendering index, it is possible to compare how much the lamp matches the natural color of regular sunlight.
INCANDESCENT GROW LIGHTS Incandescent grow lights have a red-yellowish tone and low color temperature (approx. 2700 k). They are used to highlight indoor plant groupings and not as a true plant 'growing' light. Incandescent growing lamps have an average life span of 750 hours.
FLUORESCENT GROW LIGHTS Today, fluorescent lights are available in any desired color temperature in the range from 2700 k to 6500 k. standard fluorescents are usually used for growing vegetables (as leaf lettuce, spinach, and herbs) or for starting seedlings to get a jump start on spring plantings. Standard fluorescents produce twice as many lumens per watt of energy consumed as incandescent and have an average usable life span of up to 20,000 hours. This is 25 times as long as an incandescent. Cool white fluorescent lamps are sometimes used as grow lamps. These offers slightly lower performance, a white light, and lower purchase cost.
FLUORESCENT TUBE LIGHTS
These are available in either cool white colours (producing light in the blue range) or warm white colours (producing more light in the red range). Ideally, use one "cool" bulb and one "warm" bulb to provide the fullest, most natural spectrum of light. The fluorescent tubes are usually rated to last anywhere from 18 months up to 4 years but lose 85% of their intensity before they burn out. For plants that require a maximum amount of light intensity, replace bulbs about 70 percent of the way through their rated life. If you are using more than one light, you can alternate changing them out to maintain intensity.
LED GROW LAMPS Recent advancements in LED have allowed for the production of relatively cheap, bright, and long lasting grow lights that emit only the wavelengths of light corresponding to chlorophyll's absorption peaks. These lights are attractive to indoor growers since they do not consume as much power, do not require ballasts, and produce a fraction of the heat of hid lamps. Since there is a significant reduction in heat, time 85
can be extended between watering cycles because the plants transpire less under led grow lights. A caution is warned to those growing with leds not to over water the plants.
6.10 LED FIXTURE Lighting for Growing Areas In addition to maximizing the sunlight through the towers and the exterior glazing system, LED lighting system for the plants to increase the production of crops, especially during the winter season when the daylight hours are reduced. This system will be composed of a 105 W purple light LED fixture placed in between the crops. To minimize the energy consumption of the LED fixtures, the growing areas have lighting controlled by zones, each type of fruit, vegetable or herb that can be grown in these spaces has different requirements for the amount of light and time exposed to it. Therefore, each zone is controlled by a daylighting sensor that will adjust to the lighting required by each type of crop. Then this will be controlled by the customer, who will have a panel to regulate the zones depending on the type of plant growing in it.
Figure 6.7: Led lighting fixture Source: Growing Power Vertical Farm. Impact – Building Systems Integration
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6.11 BUILDING FAÇADE The building façade exterior panelling system, glazing represented a major aspect of the building’s façade design. All of the harvesting space, composing a majority of the building’s floor area, is covered by Glass a double-pane low emissivity coating glass. Low emissivity coating, has a very thin microscopically transparent layer of metallic particles that allow the glass to filter light wavelengths and heat. Also, due to its low emissivity properties, the glass reflects the heat back. Therefore, during the winter when the interior heat of the space tries to escape to the colder outside, the heat is reflected back to the inside and the heat loss reduced. Meanwhile in the summer, it reflects the solar heat, helping to keep the interior cooler.
6.12 ADVANTAGE OF GLASS PASSES SUN LIGHT Plant can perform photosynthesis behind a window as long as there is enough light that reaches the leaves of that plant. Only UV rays are decreased when passes through glass. UV rays are not required, but rather it is best avoided. Since UV rays come in a form of radiation and is harmful to organic tissues, causing an abnormal aging to human tissues, which would also be true to plant tissues.[46] This is the reason behind the construction of Greenhouses, which roofs are made of translucent to transparent materials, most polyethylene films, to block most of the UV rays while still letting light in and can be seen in figure 6.8
Figure 6.8: Led lighting fixture Source: History " Inuvik Community Greenhouse 87
CHAPTER 07 7 SITE SELECTION Sindh Agriculture University, is situated in Tando Jam town at 18 km from Hyderabad, on Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas highway and is about 200 km from Karachi airport linked with super highway to Hyderabad. Sindh Agriculture University is ranked 4th best university in Agriculture by HEC. The University is an academic complex of five faculties, two centres, one constituent college and Directorate of Advanced Studies and Research. The five faculties are Faculty of Crop Production, Faculty of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Social Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences. Three graduate degree programmes are offered in the five faculties majoring in almost 36 departments. These include the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Bachelor of Engineering in Agriculture (BE Agriculture) and Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) Honours. The university offers postgraduate programmes leading to the award of MSc, degree in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Agricultural Engineering and in all the above-mentioned disciplines of Agriculture.
7.1 CRITERIA FOR SITE SELECTION
There should not be high rise building structure around the site, so that no obstruction for solar radiation from East, West and South direction
Well connected with water transport and road ways, so that water can be easily available for various purposes
Within the city limit, so have sufficient density of users and fulfil the demands
Site should be respond able to sustainable design parameters like solar energy, wind energy and water bodies.
7.2 PROPOSED SITES 1. Sindh Agriculture University Tando jam 2. GTC Ground Hyderabad. 3. Korangi Road Karachi.
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7.3 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE 7.4 PROPOSAL NO 01 SINDH AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY
Figure 7.1 Site proposal 01 Source: image from google earth
7.4.1 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE
Area Location Accessibility orientation Topographical status Cost of the land
4.5 acre Sindh Agriculture University N 120 south oriented Plane Land Government
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7.5 PROPOSAL NO 02 GTC GROUND HYDERABAD
Figure 7.2 Site proposal 02 Source: image from google earth
7.5.1 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE Area Location Accessibility orientation Topographical status Cost of the land
2 acres GTC Ground Hyderabad Thandi sarak North East Oriented Plane land Average
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7.6 PROPOSAL NO 03 KORANGI ROAD KARACHI
Figure 7.3: Site proposal 03 Source: image from google earth
7.6.1 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE Area Location
2 acres Korangi road Karachi
Accessibility
Link shahra-e-faisal
orientation
South east oriented
Topographical status
Plane land
Cost of the land
Expensive
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7.7 ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED SITES 7.7.1 ENVIRONMENT
CONDITION
FOR
PROTOTYPE
VERTICAL FARM ENVIRONMENT CONDITION FOR PROTOYPE VERTCAL FARM
34%
39%
27%
SAU Tandojam
GTC GROUND HYDERABAD
KORANGI RD KARACHI
Chart 7.1: Environment conditions for prototype vertical farm Source: on basis of survey
7.7.2 CONSUMERS DATA CONSUMERS DATA 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 SAU Tandojam
GTC GROUND HYD. CONSUMERS NEED
KORANGI RD KHI CONSUMERS
AVAILABILTY
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Chart 7.2: Consumer Data Source: on basis of survey
7.7.3 ENERGY AND FUNDING ENERGY AND FUNDING 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 SAU Tandojam
GTC GROUND HYD
NATURAL LIGHT
KORANGI RD KHI
PURE WIND
ACESSIVE WATER
Chart 7.3: Energy & Funding Source: on basis of survey
7.7.4 FEASIBILITY OF RESEARCH ON HYDROPONIC FEASIBILITY OF RESEARCH ON HYDROPONIC
26% 42%
32%
SAU Tandojam
GTC GROUND HYD
KORANGI KHI
Chart 7.4: feasibility of research on hydroponic Source: on basis of survey
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Quality of life on the basis of living facilities. Electricity, road network and other utilities
7.7.5 AGRICULTURAL FARMS ACCESS AGRICULTURAL FARMS ACCESS 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 SAU Tandojam
GTC HYD KORANGI RD KHI FARMS
Chart 7.5: Agricultural Farms Access Source: on basis of survey
7.8 COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS CHART 12
COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS
10
8
6
4
2
0
ACCESSABILITY
TRAFFIC DISTURBANCE
CONSUMERS
NEED
NEAR BY FARMS
ECOLOGICAL VALUE
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Chart 7.6: comparative analysis Source: on basis of survey
7.9 COMPARITIVE ANAYSIS TABLE Table 7.1, shows the comparative analysis on the bas is of surveys and questionnaire
Site No
1
2
3
7.9.1 ACCESSIBILITY 9
8
7
Near city
8
10
7
Near highway
10
9
8
Main road
10
8
8
Link roads
7
5
8
Power supply
5
3
4
Water supply
5
4
3
Gas
5
4
4
Drainage
5
4
3
7.9.2 AMENITIES
7.9.3 COST OF LAND Expensive
0
Moderate
0 5
Cheap
7.9.4 TOPOGRAPHY Hilly Plain land
10
10
10
Water logging Agricultural
5
7.9.5 CONTEXT Developed
5
3
5
Undeveloped
95
Developing
5
2
Views and vistas
8
6
4
Noise pollution
5
4
3
Air pollution
5
4
3
Crowded area
5
4
3
Residential area
5
8
9
Commercial area
5
5
7
7.9.6 ORIENTATION North South
5
West
8
7.9.7 TOTAL
125
8 114
106
7.10 RESULT OF RESPONDENTS INTERVIEWS Respondent A, B, C and D suggested that the site at Sindh Agriculture University is much feasible for this prototype hydroponic vertical farm, as it is agricultural university and have study on hydroponic farming and farm structures. With this it was also discussed that this prototype hydroponic vertical farm will also help the researcher to find out the best ways of hydroponic farming. Workshops experimental land, researchers and users are also available to this site this will help both farm and users.
7.11 SHORT
LISTED
SITE
(Sindh
Agricultural
University
Tandojam) So from the result of comparative analysis and respondents interviews the proposal number 01 (Sindh Agricultural University Tando jam) is shortlisted for the project. After selecting one site, even more detail analysis will be done to get maximum knowledge about the site and its context. This will be done according to site selection criteria.
7.11.1 LOCATION OF THE SITE Hyderabad is the 2nd largest city in Sindh, 8th largest in Pakistan with respect to population. Its population estimates to 1,348,288. Two of Pakistan's largest highways, 96
the Indus Highway and the National Highway join at Hyderabad. Site is in Sindh Agricultural University Tando jam, located on national highway N-120 connecting Mirpurkhas to Hyderabad. Site can be easily approachable from very far areas. Surrounding of the site have residential areas which can use production from prototype vertical farm further extra production can export to Hyderabad which is only 14 km from this site.
Figure 7.4: location Source: image from google earth
7.11.2 ROAD AND SURROUNDING OF THE SITE Tando Jam is a town and Union Council of Hyderabad District in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is located at 25°25'60N 68°31'60E and lies about 20 km away from Hyderabad city Pakistan, along Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas Road.
97
Figure 7.5: Road Network Source: image from google
7.11.3 MASTER PLAN
Figure 7.6: Master plan of Bahria town Source: Image from google
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7.11.4 PROPOSED SITE
Figure 7.7: proposed site Source: self-analysis
7.11.5 SHADES AND LIGHT OF THE SITE Figure 7.8 has shown that sun direction is from east to west and wind direction is from south west to north east during summer.
Figure 7.8: shades and light Source: self-analysis 99
7.12 POTENTIAL OF SUSTAINABLE MANNERS OF ENERGY AT TANDO JAM
Solar energy
Wind energy
7.13 SOLAR ENERGY As solar energy is high in demand and contributed highly in electricity production, for this analysis of the solar energy parameters are observed. For solar energy (can be seen in from Chart 7.7 & figure 7.12) online GAiSMA calculator is used and data were obtained from the NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center; New et al. 2002.
7.13.1 HYDERABAD PAKISTAN- SUNRISE, SUNSET, DAWN AND DUSK TIMES GRAPH
Chart 7.7: Time graph Source: Gaisma online calculator
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7.13.2 SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Figure 7.9: Sun Path Source: Gaisma calculator (www.gisma.com)
7.13.3 SOLAR ENERGY AND SURFACE METEOROLOGY
Table 7.2: Surface Metrology Source: Gaisma calculator (www.gisma.com)
7.14 AVERAGE WIND SPEED
Over the course of the year typical wind speeds vary from 0 m/s to 7.0 m/s (strong breeze)
The highest average wind speed is 4.5 m/s throughout. (Moderate breeze)
The lowest average wind speed is 2 m/s around November 21. (Light breeze) 101

With this monthly average wind speed at 50 m/s has been given in Chart 7.8 in graphical as well as tabular form
Chart 7.8: Monthly Average Wind Speed Source: Pakistan Metrology Department
7.14.1 ANNUAL ELECTRIC ENERGY POTENTIAL Chart 7.9 shows the monthly average diurnal variation of wind generated electric energy output. Chart 7.10 shows the daily wind generated electric power output. It depicts that at Tando jam the winds have more potential in summer season as compared to that in winter season.
Chart 7.9: Monthly Average wind generated electric energy Source: Pakistan Metrology Department
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Chart 7.10: Daily Average wind generated electric energy Source: Pakistan Metrology Department
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CHAPTER 08 8 FORM FOR VERTICAL FARM In a world newly concerned about carbon emissions, global warming, and sustainable design, the planned use of natural light in non-residential buildings has become an important strategy to improve energy efficiency by minimizing lighting, heating, and cooling loads. The introduction of innovative, advanced daylighting strategies and systems can considerably reduce a building’s electricity consumption and also significantly improve the quality of light in an indoor environment. “We must try to design a thing in order to find out what the thing is” [1] Form Follows Function: A Solution for Future Urban Farming -Published on Aug 14, 2012. As per considering vertical farm the form of the building will determine by its function and sun light strategies, so as we can say that it will work on the concept of “form follow function”.
8.1 FORM OF BUILDING The shape of the building should be such as to receive maximum sunlight penetration, so shape that could receive maximum sunlight were studied by using software sketch up it could show us path of sun throughout the day.
Also the form of the building should be sensible so that it would be easy to plan design and follow the functions.
8.2 SHAPE TO BE EXAMINED Square is basic shape so took to determine the appropriate shape for the vertical farm. It was notice that according to site square can be stretched in East-West direction.
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Figure 8.1: Basic square shape
8.3 FORM TO BE EXAMINED After extruding these shapes and come up with different forms, as in figure 8.2 it was experienced that it has one south face allowing minimum surface to in contact with sunlight for this made chamfer on corners, through chamfer some hexagon like form come in to existence.
Figure 8.2: Basic square form Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
8.4 FORM TRANSFORMATION In figure 8.3 & 8.4, it can be seen that hexagon has 3 faces toward south and allow maximum surfaces for sunlight. This form was then monitored at 12:00 pm, June and at 12:00 pm, Dec to examine the maximum sun. Hexagon was decided after using software called sketchUp by google.
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Figure 8.3: Sun at 12:00 pm, June. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
Figure 8.4: Sun at 12:00 pm, Dec. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
8.5 SLAB FORM OF MODEL As hexagon has maximum faces toward sun light so this was selected to insure more about sunlight penetration in building form. The slab model of hexagon shape was then examined during summer and winter solstices.as seen in figure 8.5 & 8.6
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Figure 8.5: Sun at 12:00 pm, Dec. (winter solstice) Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
Figure 8.6: Sun at 12:00 pm, June. (Summer solstice) Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up Its effects on sunlight penetration was recorded. Considering sun path i.e. east to west, results concluded that this shape is best suitable for maximum sunlight penetration. Hexagon shape also has six sides which will ease building design and construction challenges.
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8.5.1 SUN PATH CHART PROGRAM Sun path chart program was taken through Calculator of university of Oregon SRML, http://solardat.uoregon.edu/SunChartProgram.php is used for finding this solar azimuth. After doing finding was that angle of highest summer and winter solstices angles for are 84 degree and 36 degree respectively as seen in Chart 8.1
Chart 8.1 solar azimuth Source: Calculator of university of Oregon SRML
8.6 TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH FACE
For this if maximum sun light is need to penetrate in building each roof slab should drag toward North Pole while moving upward, so that the south faces of the building can allow maximum light in the building. The slab model of this shape was created in such a way that south faces may have angle of 60 degree as can be somehow perpendicular to sunlight in both solstices. This was also then tested through sketchUp by google f confirmation of changes. It can be seen in Figure: 8.7 & 8.8 108
Figure 8.7: Dragged slab model at 12:00 pm, June. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
Figure 8.8: Dragged slab model at 12:00 pm, Dec. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
It was observed that this dragged slab of hexagon may penetrate good light in it. Building form was then created, by making north side straight for other functions of the building and for generating a building structural form. Response of sunlight throughout the day was read at @12:00 pm in all four seasons (In Dec, June, March and sept) as in figure 8.9 & 8.10.
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Figure 8.9: Form model at 12:00 pm, 22 June & 22 Sept. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
Figure 8.10: Form model at 12:00 pm, 22 Dec & 22 March. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
8.7 MODEL IN SUMMER AND WINTER SOLSTICES For further inquiry model was observed at @ 09:00 am @ 12:00 pm @ 03:00 pm @ 05:00 pm During summer solstice when sun was at its high peak in figure 8.11
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Figure 8.11: Form model at 09:00 am To 05:00 pm in summer solstice. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up And at @ 09:00 am @ 12:00 pm @ 03:00 pm @ 05:00 pm During winter solstice when sun was at its high peak in figure 8.12
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Figure 8.12: Form model at 09:00 am To 05:00 pm in winter solstice. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
Results concluded that this form is very much appropriate for vertical farming.so as solar panel also catch maximum energy through sun light.
8.8 FINAL FORM FOR THE VERTICAL FARM
Figure 8.13: Top & Front view of Final form for prototype vertical farm. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
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Figure 8.14: West & East view of Final form for prototype vertical farm. Source: Test render in Google Sketch Up
8.9 SUGGESTIVE FORM Several are the propose protype suggestive farms for vertical farming
8.9.1 URBAN EPICENTER/NYC (NEW YORK, 2009) Title: Urban Farm, Urban Epi centre Location: Located in the Meat Packing district in lower Manhattan. Author: Student Project Source: verticalfarm.com Year: 2009 Project at Graduate School of Design, Harvard University Project Advisor by the architect Jungmin Nam. The prototype provides a high building, whose twist is aimed at maximizing the solar light, which is not only for the food production but also for the productive urban living, as it works as a tool for social change; a sustainable way of consuming, food distribution, job creation, healthy food source and civic space for local community. It will reshape urban life style as being manifestation on how the urban life can be in the future from a day-to-day impact on our cities.
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Figure 8.15: Suggestive form for vertical farm. Source: Foleyl_Urban Farm-Thesis Program_2010.
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8.9.2
PROGRAMMATIC SECTION
Figure 8.16: Suggestive form for vertical farm. Source: Foleyl_Urban Farm-Thesis Program_2010.
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8.9.3 EVF EXPERIMENTAL VERTICAL FARM
Building type: EVF Prototype Building, Design: Claudio Palavecino Llanos, professor at the Universidad de Chile, School of Architecture and Urbanism, Location: Santiago Del Cile Year: 2011
It provides 4 high cylindrical tower with a sloping roof, conceived as an artificial ecosystem food producer with minimum energy and resources consumption, which comprises full agricultural production process, from plantation, harvest, process, packing until dispatch for public consumption. The main design fact is integrated to urban flows (energy, matters, and transportation) and landscape. These actions have sense into an integral sustainable development framework (social, economic and environmental), based on a management plan what put in context this project as a possible action in current urban and market requirements, in this case, based on Chilean current situation.
Figure 8.17: Suggestive form for vertical farm. Source: Foleyl_Urban Farm-Thesis Program_2010
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8.9.4 PROGRAMMATIC LAYOUT
Figure 8.18: Suggestive form for vertical farm. Source: Foleyl_Urban Farm-Thesis Program_2010
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CHAPTER NO 09 9 DESIGN BRIEF It is a building specially designed and planned for experimental prototype cultivation of crops vertically i.e. at each floor. This will design so increases the possibility of multiple farming on a single land and utilizes optimum resources and energy for crop production. While planning the prototype vertical farm, concept form follows function comes up in mind, since the vertical will be built to satisfy the needs of the crops and its users. It will also help researchers of institute for hydroponic techniques. The goal being to maximize the farm’s yield of quality crops. Selection of lettuce and tomato was done on the capability to grow with hydroponics, maximum value, popular consumption, and market value. Form of the building has been already discussed in the chapter number 08.
9.1 PERCENTAGES OF REQUIRED SPACE
PERCENTAGES OF SPACE 4% 6% 3% 4% 5% 14% 4%
32%
6%
22%
Administration
Market
Lab & Reseach
Area for growin
Seedling and germination
Staff
Services
Storage
Recycling
Other equipment
Figure: 9.1 Percentages of Required spaces Source: By Shehryar khan
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9.2 REQUIREMNENT FOR VERTICL FARM Major requirements and there proposed covered areas are shown in Table 9.1. Table 9.1 Proposed covered areas.
DESCRIPTION OF SPACE
Total Covred Area
NO OF HEADS
AREA
----
200,000 Sq. Ft.
ADMINISTRATION Administrative branch
01
Finance branch
01
Maintenance branch
01
Marketing branch
01
Engineer
03
Agronomist
05
Waiting hall
01
Store Room
01
Conference hall
01
kitchen
01
12,000 Sq. FT.
EDUCATION CENTRE Exhibition space
01
Research lab
01
Seminar Room
01
Library
01
10,000 Sq. Ft.
RETAIL UNIT Market
01
Store
02
Restaurant
01
12,000 Sq. Ft.
AFTER HARVESTING Processing Storage
01 119
Packing & Labelling
01
Seed Store
01
Loading Dock
01
Records
01
18,000 Sq. Ft.
GEN. LAB SECTION Lab coordination office
01
Quality control lab
02
Nutrient storage
01
Cold storage
01
Nutrient Processing
01
Nutrient tank
02
10,000 Sq. Ft.
UTILITIES HVAC
01
Water tank
02
Water recycle unit
01
Generator
01
Solar converter
01
Wind convertor
01
Vertical transport
02
12,000 Sq. Ft.
SEED GERMINATION Processing Room
01
Tray processing
01
Germination room
01
Transplanting section
01
Control room
01
30,000 Sq. Ft.
HARVESTING AREA NFT hydroponic pipes
--
Nutrient Tank
02
Control room
01
70,000 Sq. Ft.
120
Collecting unit
01 OTHER SERVICES /FUTURE
25,000 Sq. Ft.
EXTENTION
9.3 ARCHITECTURAL SPACES One of the most important project requirements is to keep total growing spaces bigger than the ground one. A vertical farm is a building type for which there are very few real world examples of floor plans. In vertical design spaces will be in such a way that providing less and less public access in the building as it approached the top, as well as of placing complementary spaces adjacent to one another on the same floor. This method provides occupants with an easy to follow path from activity to activity. Major distribution of spaces will to constrain the original six to eight floors. On the top six to eight floors it will have vegetable growing area and ground or plus one may have market and serves as the business floor for the Growing Power offices, which includes general office spaces, a staff lounge, a director’s office, a meeting room and a central reception area. One floor may serve as research and education centre. Basement may will have storages, parking, and water treatment, solar & wind energy operator Rooms etc. With this north spaces of the building may will have technical and other services.
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9.4 FLOOR AREA DISTRIBUTION
Figure: 9.2 Percentages of Required spaces Source: By Shehryar khan
Its main purpose remains to produce plants for human consumption, and all other spaces are to support this effort. Unlike the typical high-rise or perhaps architecture as a wholethe “human user” is not the vertical farm’s primary concern. Instead, “the plant” becomes the user informing the design. The program has therefore been compiled from the research of industrial agricultural processes, hydroponic farming, energy and resource flows, ecological cycles, local context, and educational opportunities.
9.5 PLANT PRODUCTION At its core, the vertical farm is a plant producing factory. Its multi-story structure consists of successive floor plates filled with hydroponic plants. These “growing floor” include various types of hydroponic technologies and account for the vast majority of program space. At the start of the growing process a plant nursery is used for the selection and germination of seeds. Following this the plant will visit several different 122
growing zones. Once fully grown and ripe, the plants will be harvested and stored or transported. Post-Harvest includes cooling, cleaning, sorting and packing. This process largely determines the final quality of the crop and thus care and concern must be given to the design of this aspect of the program. Major zoning can be seen in figure 9.3
Figure: 9.3 Major Zoning Source: By Shehryar khan
9.6 WORKFORCE SPACE Like the traditional farm, although more diverse, a workforce of varying skills will support the daily operations of the vertical farm. Position include: managers, engineers, agronomists, accountants, sales people, waste-to-energy personnel, laboratory personnel, and unskilled labour force. Necessary spaces related to the business aspects of the farm include offices and conference rooms, a breakroom, locker-room, bathrooms, a private entry, and storages. These spaces should be design out of necessity but integrated with the rest of the program as to support the production of plants. Relation of various spaces can be seen in figure 9.4
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Figure: 9.4 Working Spaces Source: By Shehryar khan
9.7 SYSTEM MONITORING One of the major benefits of the vertical farm is the ability to grow crops year- round. This is in part due to the ability to control the indoor climate, including light, and temperature. A climate monitoring Center will control and balance these systems according to the growing needs of each crop type. A research lab will allow scientist to study and improve the existing processes and design new growing technologies. The quality control lab will examine vegetables throughout their growth and before shipment or sale to monitor quality and integrity. Improving efficiencies will streamline the production of the vertical farm, further increasing its market viability.
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9.8 RESEARCH CENTER & MARKET As a prototype this vertical farm is envisioned to be replicable throughout the Tando jam and hyderabad to provide vegetables (initially lettuce & Tomato) for all its inhabitant. However, as a first of its kind, this site will include an educational component. Its zoning diagram can be seen in figure 9.5. A main lobby will welcome guests to the farm and orient them to the various opportunities within. An exhibition space will teach visitors the principals of sustainable food production and consumption.
Figure: 9.5 Zoning of Market & Research Centre Source: By Shehryar khan
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9.9 INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION The urban farm will be fully integrated into the cities infrastructure, taking in waste and producing food, energy and clean water. Infrastructure component will includes the following: waste management, wastewater treatment, electric generators, mechanical spaces, energy storage, photovoltaic solar collection, and wind energy collection. The basement houses most of the building’s storage space, which is ideally placed for easy transportation of goods back and forth from the market, shipping and processing area on the first floor. The first floor houses a market at the building’s main entrance and will welcome the pedestrian traffic on a daily basis. Food processing and shipping areas are also located on the first floor creating an easy flow for the shipped products to go through processing to the market. The second floor contains the research and educational area and a demo kitchen, with the primary feature being the movable partitions between all the classrooms, providing the flexibility to create one large room. The fourth floor serves as the business floor for the Growing Power offices, which includes general office spaces, a staff lounge, a director’s office, a meeting room and a central reception area. Finally the fifth floor is solely designated as a growing area.
Figure: 9.6 zoning of infrastructure Source: By Shehryar khan
126
9.10 HYDROPONIC SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS The following specifications are recommended for a typical, start up 6,700 sq.Ft To accommodate 4,800 plants Water supply specifications
Fresh water supply pump 25 ft3/h = 1
Solenoid valves = 8
Drip irrigation line 16 mm, 100 ft. long = 40
PC fully compensate non leak drippers with hydroponic stake, 2 litres/hr
Irrigation tank
3,000 gals vertical tank PVC Insulated = 2
Screen filter 2 inch on the fresh water line = 1
Solution tanks A, B = 400 litre
Acid & base tanks = 200 litre
Drain water collection installation
500 Gals drain tank horizontal = 2
Growing bags, coco peat or rock wool 100 x 20 x 16 = 1,200
Growing rock wool cubes = 4, 800
Drainage tank 500 gallon = 1
As per specification of hydroponics production facility in UAE.
9.11 WATER REQUIREMENT FOR 70,000 SQ.FT From this water requirement for 70,000 Sq.Ft harvesting area can be calculated as: Irrigation tank For irrigation 66,000 litres water is required
3,000 gals vertical tank PVC Insulated = 20
Screen filter 2 inch on the fresh water line = 10
Solution tanks A, B = 4000 litres
Acid & base tanks = 2000 liters 127
Drain water collection installation
500 Gals drain tank horizontal = 10
Drainage tank 100 gallon = 2
9.12 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION (LEAFY VEGETABLES) For Leafy vegetables included spinach/lettuce/ broccoli/ sweet basil etc. NFT system is depicted in figure 9.7 and its technical specification are in Appendix A
Figure: 9.7 system description for leafy vegetable Source: SIKCO Hydroponics-2012
9.13 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION (NON-LEAFY VEGETABLES) For Non-leafy vegetables included cucumber / strawberry/ tomato etc. NFT system is depicted in figure 9.8 and its technical specification are in Appendix B
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Figure: 9.8 system description for non-leafy vegetable Source: SIKCO Hydroponics-2012
Figure: 9.9 system description for non-leafy vegetable Source: SIKCO Hydroponics-2012
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10 BIBLOGRAPHY
10.1 REFERENCES 1. D. Despommier, The Vertical Farm, Feading the World in the 21st Century, Picador, New York 2010, p. 140 2. The Challenge”. AEI Student Design Competition. The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. 2014 3. The Jakarta post: 70% of world population to be in cities by 2050: UN study. Jakarta | Mon, October 19, 2015 | 09:30 am 4. Allen Washatko, TKWA. “The Challenge”. AEI Student Design Competition. The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. 2014. 5. Texas A&M Agri Life Communications Date: April 17, 2014 6. The six countries that could change the future of food production- Jul, 2014. www.environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/news/57936 7. “Environmental research web”. 8. World Institute of Development Economic Research. 9. Global
Food
Shortages
Could
‘Continue
for
Decades'- Agricultural
Commodities Feb, 2008 - By: Joseph Dancy 10. Focus on alternatives to meat for better food security; June 11. Chief executive officer of Argive International Limited, an agriculture portfolio company headquartered in Singapore 12. D. Despommier-The Vertical Farm, Feading the World in the 21st Century -, cit. pp. 154-146. 13. Vice president CONAF Rosanna Zari, opening The World Day of the Soil, Rome, 5 December 2015 14. Lorenzo Franchini-Vertical Farm: Perspective Of Development 15. Book “The vertical Farm: To feed to
the world in the 21st century.” 2010
16. Event organized by the Consiglio dell’Ordine dei dottori agronomi e dei dottori forestali (CNAF), AISSA, ISPRA, European Commission (JRC), Slow Food e Legambiente 17. http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/trends/Co ncise%20Report%20on%20the%20Worl 130
18. (Lorenzo Franchini, vertical farm: perspective Of development p.5) 19. D. Despommier, The Vertical Farm, Feading the World in the 21 st Century, Picador, New York 2010, p. 140 20. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170405-how-vertical-farming-reinventsagriculture 21. Lorenzo Franchini, vertical farm: perspective Of development p.22 22. Jason Strother April 04, 2012 8:00 PM South Korea Researches Vertical Farming for Food Security 23. http://www.whatitcosts.com/carbon-offsets-cost-prices/ 24. Ali AlShrouf (ASRJETS) (2017) American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences Volume 27, No 1, pp 247-255 25. May 22 1015. Nutritional quality of hydroponics vs. soil grown veggies and fruit 26. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences Volume 27, ASRJETS (2017) No 1, pp 247-255. 27. http://foddermachine.com/the-technology-hydroponic-fodder-growing-system/ 28. Imran Rana-Published: March 23, 2012. High-tech agriculture: The extraordinary profits of hydroponic vegetable farming By 29. http://nation.com.pk/business/31-Jul-2010/Hydroponic-farming-to-helpachieve-agri-targets 30. Lorenzo Franchini, vertical farm: perspective Of development p.34 31. https://vertical-farming.net/. 32. Lorenzo Franchini, vertical farm: perspective Of development p.61 33. http://humshehri.org/place/sindh-agriculture 34. 75% of harvested tomatoes wasted annually — Industrialist) Published July 24, 2016. 35. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2017) Volume 27, No 1, pp 247-25 .pg252 36. VERTICAL FARM: PERSPECTIVE OF DEVELOPMENT. Lorenzo Franchini.pg27 37. Department of Applied Economics and Management Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-7801 USA 38. Germer et al, 2011, verticalfarm.com, Despommier, 2010. 131
39. Imran Rana High-tech agriculture: The extraordinary profits of hydroponic vegetable farming Express tribune Published: March 23, 2012 40. Growing tomatoes: some truths- From the DAWN Newspaper June 13, 2013 41. Promotion of high value agriculture through provision of climate smart technology package -Nov 2016 42. PC - I FORM (Revised 2005) PRODUCTION SECTORS (Agriculture Production) 43. https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/12/pasona-urban-farm-by-kono-designs/ 44. https://www.scribd.com/document/34273490/Agro-Housing 45. Mixed use vertical farming complex Nov. 30, 2016 46. https://www.quora.com/Can-plants-perform-photosynthesis-behind-a-window 02:30 AM. 04-08-17
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Respondent A: Danish Ali Tariq is horticulture officer at civil work organisation and has his bachelor in agriculture from Faisalabad Agriculture University. He has huge knowledge about hydroponic farming as his thesis research was on hydroponic farming
Respondent B: Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto has PhD from UK. He is member science at Pakistan science foundation, currently he is professor at Sindh Agriculture University Tando jam.
Respondent C: Abid ali abro has his B.E from SAU and he is lecturer in Sindh agriculture university
Respondent D: Shujauddin Ahmed is junior architect at NESPAK Islamabad office. He has done his graduation in Architecture from National College of arts, Lahore.
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10.2 APPENDIX A
Source: SIKCO Hydroponics-2012-cost-analysis
10.3 APPENDIX B
Source: SIKCO Hydroponics-2012-cost-analysis
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10.4 APPENDIX C For feasibility of vertical farming
NAME GENDER AGE
Your gender:
Male
Female
Your age:
20-30
31-35
36-4
Education
Graduation
Under graduation
Above
Your business area:
Building engineer
Architecture
Agriculture
Designation:
Student
Architect
Agronomist
Other
135
Stable food supply (Year-round crop production)
70%
80%
100 %
Create a new industry
Yes
No
Pollution-free agricultural product
70%
80%
100 %
Better food safety control
70%
80%
100 %
Make farming inside city
Yes
No
No pesticides and herbicides
70%
80%
100 %
New job opportunities
Yes
No
Reduce the heat island effect (applied as green wall)
Yes 136
No
Others: ____________ Ecological manner of producing food
Yes
No
Others: ____________ Less transportation cost
Yes
No
Others: ____________ Minimum fuel consumption
Yes
No
Others: ____________
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10.5 APPENDIX D For comparative analysis of site selection.
NAME GENDER AGE
Your gender:
Male
Female
Your age:
20-30
31-35
36-4
Education
Graduation
Under graduation
Above
Your business area:
Building engineer
Architecture
Agriculture
Designation:
Student
Architect
Agronomist
Other
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The following items are the issues that influence the site selection of vertical farm Environment condition:
Moderate
Good
excellent
Consumer need of agricultural farms
high
average
low
Nearby availability of agriculture farm
Less
Average
More
Available Potential of sustainability in sun light
Less
Average
More
Available Potential of sustainability in wind
Less
Average
More
Availability of water resources
Less
Average
More
Living standard (infrastructure & security) 139
70%
80%
100 %
Accesses of agriculture farms
Yes
No
Please circle the number on the scale that best reflects the extent to which you think is appropriate
A. ACCESSIBILITY
mark out of : 10
Near city 7 8 9 10 Near highway 7 8 9 10 Main road 7 8 9 10 Links road 7 8 9 140
10
B. AMENITIES
Mark out of : 05
Power supply 3 4 5 Water supply 3 4 5 Gas 3 4 5 Drainage 3 4 5 C. Cost of land Expensive Moderate Cheap
D. Topography
Mark out of :10
Plain land 8 9 10 141
Agriculture 5 8 10
E. Context
Mark out of : 10
Developed 3 4 5 Noise pollution 3 4 5 Air pollution 3 4 5 Residential area 8 9 10 Commercial area 7 8 9 10
142