Aeroponic/Hydroponic Growth Module Final Design Report Sponsor AliGroWorksUSA, Inc. - Adam Gibbons (CEO) Team Two Guys Sean Marrs - [email protected] Josh Moreno - [email protected] Statement of Disclaimer Since the project is a result of a class assignment, it has been graded and accepted as fulfillment of the course requirements. Acceptance does not imply technical accuracy or reliability. Any use of information in this report is done at the risk of the user. These risks may include catastrophic failure of the device or infringement of patent or copyright laws. California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and its staff cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of the project. 2 | Page Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7 Sponsor Background and Needs .............................................................................................................. 7 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter 2: Background .............................................................................................................................. 10 The Competitors .................................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 3: Design Developments .............................................................................................................. 14 Concept Backgrounds ............................................................................................................................ 14 Definition of atomization ................................................................................................................... 14 Measuring Droplet Size ...................................................................................................................... 14 Centrifugal Atomizers ........................................................................................................................ 14 High Pressure Water Nozzle Atomization .......................................................................................... 16 Temperature Sensors ........................................................................................................................ 17 Humidity Sensors ............................................................................................................................... 17 Oxygen Sensors .................................................................................................................................. 18 Resistive Heating Elements ................................................................................................................ 18 Design Development ............................................................................................................................. 19 Approach ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Concepts ................................................................................................................................................ 20 Centrifugal Atomizer .......................................................................................................................... 20 Motors ............................................................................................................................................... 20 High Pressure Water Nozzle .............................................................................................................. 20 Conclusions on Atomization .............................................................................................................. 21 Rotation and Tomato Cage ................................................................................................................ 21 Hydroponic System ............................................................................................................................ 22 Aeroponic Failure Detection .............................................................................................................. 22 Other Systems/Functions ...................................................................................................................... 23 Temperature Monitoring ................................................................................................................... 23 Humidity Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 23 Oxygenation of Root Zone ................................................................................................................. 23 Cooling ............................................................................................................................................... 24 3 | Page Heating, Cooling, and Airflow ............................................................................................................ 24 Final Decision ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 4: Description of Final Design ...................................................................................................... 27 Overall System Description .................................................................................................................... 27 System Layout ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Detailed Design Description .................................................................................................................. 29 Aeroponic System .............................................................................................................................. 29 Hydroponic System ............................................................................................................................ 29 Flow Path of Water and Air through the Atomizer System ............................................................... 30 Supporting Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 31 Centrifugal Atomizer .......................................................................................................................... 31 Fan Flow ............................................................................................................................................. 32 System Heating .................................................................................................................................. 33 Safety Considerations ........................................................................................................................ 33 Material Selection .................................................................................................................................. 34 Cost Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 5: Product Realization .................................................................................................................. 35 Laser Cutting .......................................................................................................................................... 35 Leakage Mitigation ................................................................................................................................ 35 Humidity/Temperature Sensor .............................................................................................................. 36 Coding .................................................................................................................................................... 36 Changes from Final Design .................................................................................................................... 37 Electronics Bay Manufacturing .............................................................................................................. 38 Chapter 6: Design Verification (Testing) .................................................................................................... 39 Motor Heat Profile ................................................................................................................................. 39 Motor and Pump Heat Test ................................................................................................................... 39 Motor and Ventilation Fan Heat Tests ................................................................................................... 40 Motor, Pump, and Ventilation Fan Heat Test ........................................................................................ 41 Chapter 7: Conclusions and Other Recommendations .............................................................................. 42 Appendix A – Already Purchased Components