LCA &amp; LCCA of a PCM application to control root zone temperatures of hydroponic crops in comparison with conventional root zone heating systems

Llorach-Massana, Pere; Peña, Javier; Rieradevall, Joan; Montero, J.I.

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.07.064

Cited by 25 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Another study analyses the environmental and economic feasibility of a theoretical application of PCM, in a greenhouse with 19.4ha from southern Spain, as a substitute to conventional root zone heating systems which use oil, gas or biomass boilers [21]. This study concludes that PCM seem to be a potential technology to substitute conventional heating systems and provide environmental and economic benefits.…”

Section: Pcm Application For Root Zone Temperature Controlmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Table 3 shows the properties of the PCM used for the study. These PCM were selected based on the following:  Rubitherm products, specifically RT18HC, were considered as potential PCM for root zone temperature control based on theoretical environmental and economic assessments previously completed [21].  Organic PCM were used due to their recycling potential due to the environmental approach of the study.…”

Section: Selecting the Best Pcm Location In Relation To The Perlite Bag And Determining The Idealmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in Mediterranean greenhouses

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Root zone heating systems offer increasing crops quality and productivity. However, these systems are based on the use of nonrenewable fuels. This paper reports on a study of different design solutions for a root zone heating system, based on thermal energy storage with PCM. The objective of the study was to define, through multiple experiments, the most efficient PCM melting/freezing temperature and location with respect to the substrate (i.e., under the substrate) for the application under study; as well as, to determine the system's environmental and economic feasibility, with life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methodologies. Results show that the best melting temperature for the application under study is 15⁰C. To increase the efficiency of the system, PCMs may be macro encapsulated and wrap the entire perlite bag. Moreover, it seems that PCMs are far to substitute conventional root zone heating systems because it does not provided enough heat during nights. Nevertheless, PCMs can help to reduce the operation time of conventional systems. Based on one night results it seem that PCM could provide annual saving of between 22-30 kg of eq. CO 2 /ha•day. However, it does not seem to be feasible if PCM prices (8€/kg) do not decrease significantly. Keywords Phase Change Materials (PCM) / Root zone heating / Soilless crops / Environmental assessment / Economic assessment Highlights  The thermal behavior of a perlite bag from a Mediterranean soilless protected crop is described.  A TES system with PCM to heat plants roots in soilless crops is studied with multiple experiments.  The best PCM phase change temperature for the application seems to be 15⁰C.  The most effective PCM location consists of wrapping the perlite bag.  20-30 Kg of eq. CO 2 emissions could be saved per hectare and night.Post-print of Llorach-Massana, Pere et al. «Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in

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Section: Pcm Application For Root Zone Temperature Controlmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Selecting the Best Pcm Location In Relation To The Perlite Bag And Determining The Idealmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in Mediterranean greenhouses

et al. 2017

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“…In conclusion, the uncertainty of the analysis was mentioned because of the dependency on temperatures. The authors proposed for further studies to eliminate the existing uncertainty for PCMs …”

Section: Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Cost Analysis Of Pcms Formentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From 1949 till now, many experimental and theoretical studies took place concerning the use of PCM in solar heating of buildings. The application of PCMs in greenhouses, mainly for storing solar energy, is another wide field of ongoing research . Also, Abokersh et al reviewed the implementing work in utilizing PCM in various types of Solar Domestic Water Heating Systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of phase change materials (PCM) for thermal applications: A review

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Summary Thermal storage systems development is under significant concern focusing mainly to the thermal energy storage use for thermal applications. On the other hand, the investigation of phase change materials (PCMs) in the building sector was tested consisting a very promising field of research and development. A number of substances have been tested as potential PCMs; however, only few of them have been further developed for commercial purposes. This is attributed to a number of thermophysical barriers, which make the applications of PCMs in buildings difficult. Several studies have examined the potential of PCM use, either incorporated into building envelopes or in heating and cooling applications. Regarding building envelope applications, PCMs are used to mainly ensure indoor thermal comfort and contribute to energy performance. The positive impact of PCMs on the building's annual cooling and heating loads in various climate zones is a common conclusion. Concerning heating and cooling applications, the main idea has been to substitute the storage medium with PCMs, which have higher storage capacity. Hence, the use of PCMs can be considered as scientifically mature, although there are still technical, environmental, and economic barriers. The present study is the state of the art of the existing research of PCM for thermal applications taking into consideration environmental (based mainly on life cycle analysis methodology) and economic performance (accounting to life cycle cost analysis methodology) criteria, while excluding solar power generation applications.

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“…A rooftop greenhouse (RTG), whereby soil-free farming methods such as hydroponics or aeroponics [10][11][12] may be integrated into a building, is an example. Although considerable amounts of non-renewable energy are conventionally used to operate greenhouses in central Europe, an integrated method could help decarbonise greenhouse-based food production and promote more efficient and sustainable greenhouse heating [13,14]. Empirical data are missing in this area, and this has formed the foundation of this work: full annual results are presented for the operational characteristics of the world's first case of a fully-integrated rooftop greenhouse for scientific research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building-integrated rooftop greenhouses: An energy and environmental assessment in the mediterranean context

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A sustainable and secure food supply within a low-carbon and resilient infrastructure is encapsulated in several of The United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals. The integration of urban agriculture in buildings can offer improved efficiencies; in recognition of this, the first south European example of a fully integrated rooftop greenhouse (iRTG) was designed and incorporated into the ICTA-ICP building by the Autonomous University of Barcelona. This design seeks to interchange heat, CO2 and rainwater between the building and its rooftop greenhouse. Average air temperatures for 2015 in the iRTG were 16.5°C (winter) and 25.79°C (summer), making the iRTG an ideal growing environment. Using detailed thermophysical fabric properties, 2015 site-specific weather data, exact control strategies and dynamic soil temperatures, the iRTG was modelled in EnergyPlus to assess the performance of an equivalent 'freestanding' greenhouse. The validated result shows that the thermal interchange between the iRTG and the ICTA-ICP building has considerable moderating effects on the iRTG's indoor climate; since average hourly temperatures in an equivalent freestanding greenhouse would have been 4.1°C colder in winter and 4.4°C warmer in summer under the 2015 climatic conditions. The simulation results demonstrate that the iRTG case study recycled 43.78 MWh of thermal energy (or 341.93 kWh/m 2 /yr) from the main building in 2015. Assuming 100% energy conversion efficiency, compared to freestanding greenhouses heated with oil, gas or biomass systems, the iRTG delivered an equivalent carbon savings of 113.8, 82.4 or 5.5 kg.CO2(eq)/m 2 /yr, respectively, and economic savings of 19.63,15.88 or 17.33 €/m 2 /yr, respectively. Under 1 similar climatic conditions, this symbiosis between buildings and urban agriculture makes an iRTG an efficient resource-management model and supports the promotion of a new typology or concept of buildings with a nexus or symbiosis between energy efficiency and food production.

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LCA & LCCA of a PCM application to control root zone temperatures of hydroponic crops in comparison with conventional root zone heating systems

Cited by 25 publications

References 22 publications

Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in Mediterranean greenhouses

Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in Mediterranean greenhouses

Life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of phase change materials (PCM) for thermal applications: A review

Building-integrated rooftop greenhouses: An energy and environmental assessment in the mediterranean context

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