1. P17420: Seedfolk City Farm Greenhouse Heating
Background
Problem: Currently, Rochester is ranked the 5th poorest city in the country with approximately 135,000 residents struggling with food insecurity. As a result, issues of food access and education are critically important to Seedfolk. In order to bridge the disconnect between the lack of food access in our city with those who need it most, Seedfolk believes that our communities must transform the way they relate to the food that they eat. Therefore, the desire for a four season greenhouse was born.
Goal: The ultimate goal of Seedfolk, and our project, is to have a greenhouse that is operational year round. Another goal is to have the heat for the greenhouse generated from compost. A system that is easily regulated and needs minimal follow- up/maintenance once put into place is another attribute Seedfolk would like to see implemented.
Team P17420
Fintan McManus
Electrical Engineer
Carson Pratt
Brett Kajganich
Industrial Engineer
Neil Asrani
Mechanical Engineer
Devash Dedhia
Siddharth Kini
Team Photo: Left to Right (in front of test model) Neil Arsani (ME), Siddharth Kini (ME), Brett Kajganich (IE), Devash Dedhia (ME)
Key Customer and Engineering Requirements
Actual Design Photos
General Design
Concluding Remarks
Conclusion
At the time of printing of this poster, the design is awaiting final results on the effectiveness of the design.
We are expecting the amount of compost and the method of heat transfer to satisfy the heating requirements of the soil.
We have included a large enough hot water storage tank to be able to sustain the system throughout the harshest weeks of winter.
If successful, this design will prove to be an effective means of year round crop growth, while staying off the grid.
Acknowledgements
John Kaemmerlen(faculty guide)
Dr. Rob Stevens (Subject Matter Expert)
Josiah Krause (customer contact)
Jacob Deyo (customer contact)
ASHRAE (project sponsor)