WO2018078354A1

WO2018078354A1 - A system and method for growing root vegetables

Info

Publication number: WO2018078354A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/053209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ken HOLLAND
Original assignee: Growmodule365 Limited
Priority date: 2016-10-26
Filing date: 2017-10-25
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Also published as: GB201618092D0

Abstract

A system for growing root vegetables is disclosed. The system includes an enclosed space, typically a shipping container, within which the root vegetables are grown. The temperature of the air is controlled and circulated using an air handling unit and the root vegetables are planted in containers in a growing medium of coir to a depth of at least 10 cm. Shelves supporting large open troughs are provided into which water dosed with nutrients is pumped and can train and in which the planted containers sit. Electrically powered LED lights are provided which produce more luminance in the blue and red parts of the visible light spectrum than in the green part.

Description

A System and Method for Growing Root Vegetables

The present invention relates to a system and method for growing root vegetables and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a hydroponic system and method for growing which minimises environmental impact and food waste.

The use of hydroponics is well known for growing many species of plants. It is also well known to use hydroponics in artificially lit and climate controlled enclosures, including shipping containers, to grow leaf vegetables and herbs for use, for example, in restaurants. An example of this is disclosed in an International Patent application published under the number WO2014/066844. The environmental benefits of such systems have been demonstrated since it is lightweight seeds which are transported to the location of the growing enclosure. Although electrical power is required to provide light and climate control, the food produced can be picked as required and as a result regular deliveries of relatively small quantities of food can be reduced thereby reducing the so-called "food miles" to almost zero. Another aspect of providing environmental benefits for systems such as that previously described is to minimise the food waste by maximising the proportions of the vegetable which can be consumed.

However, such systems are only useful for growing leaf vegetables and salads, herbs and the like. Although these leaved food products are high in many nutrients they, as a general rule, are very low in readily processable carbohydrates such as starches. As a result, such systems are incapable of providing a sustainable diet for human consumption.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or alleviate the above described disadvantages of the prior art. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for growing root vegetables, the system comprising : - an enclosed space within which root vegetables can be grown; at least one air temperature control device for controlling the temperature of and circulating the air within said enclosed space ;

at least one growing medium comprising coir;

at least one container for containing said growing medium at a depth of at least 10 cm;

at least one support member on which at least one said container can be located, said support member being capable of holding a volume of water and said support member having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for allowing controlled inflow and outflow of water to said support member;

at least one water supply for providing water to said inlet; at least one nutrient dosing device for providing a controlled amount of nutrient to be added to said water before entering said inlet; and

a plurality of electrically powered lighting devices for illuminating said containers on said support members.

The invention, as set out above, provides significant advantages over the prior art. In particular, the invention allows the successful growing of root vegetables very quickly in a controlled environment thereby producing nutrients not normally associated with such growing systems, for example, carbohydrates such as sugars and starches. Furthermore, root vegetables grown in this manner can be picked when they are small and at this time almost all of the leaves and all of the root can be eaten. As a result, food waste from the production of this food is minimised and this in turn maximises the efficient use of the nutrient dosing supplied to the growing vegetable. The use of coir (processed coconut husks) provides a structure which is sufficiently similar to that of soil, which root vegetables normally grow in, as to provide the support and structure which allow the root to grow in its normal form. Furthermore, because coir contains little or no nutrient it provides an ideal base onto which nutrient can be added in the hydroponic water. A depth of 10 cm allows the root vegetable to grow in its most natural shape but is significantly deeper than the growing media normally used in hydroponic growing.

The lighting devices may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce more luminance in the blue and red parts of the visible light spectrum than in the green part of the visible light spectrum.

The lighting devices may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce more luminance in the frequency ranges 400nm to 500nm and 600nm to 700nm than in the range 500nm to 600nm.

The greater use of lighting frequencies in the range of 400 - 500 nm (blue) and 600 - 700 nm (red) and less in the region 500 - 600 nm (green) encourages the growth of the root of the root vegetable in preference to the leaves which helps to ensure the growth of small usable leaves (that is leaves which are easily edible with little or no cooking) along with the production of significant carbohydrate in the vegetable root. This further ensures that the maximum use of both the leaf and root of the vegetable is made further ensuring a minimisation in food waste.

In a preferred embodiment the enclosed space is formed comprising a frame of a shipping container.

By using a frame corresponding to that of a shipping container the advantages provided that standardised lifting equipment can be used to transport, manoeuver and locate the enclosed space within which the vegetables are grown.

In another preferred embodiment the support members comprise a plurality of shelves located above one another.

Locating shelves one above another makes maximum use of the space available. Since the vegetables are being grown to a small size with minimal leaf and maximum root the shelves can be located quite close to one another.

In a further preferred nutrient dosing device adds nutrient at N:P:K levels of substantially 5:2:5.

The air temperature control device preferably maintains a temperature of 19°C to 23 °C and most preferably a temperature of 21°C.

The water supply may comprise at least one tank connected to said inlet and said outlet and further comprising a pump allowing recirculation of said water.

The recirculation of water reduces the total volume of water used, reduces the amount of nutrient which needs to be added and minimises the waste water which may be difficult to dispose of when it contains relatively high levels of nutrient.

The system may further comprise at least one nutrient testing device for testing the level of at least one nutrient in the water in said tank and the results of said testing being used to determine further dosing of the water in the tank.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of growing root vegetables comprising :- providing an enclosed space within which root vegetables can be grown, the space including at least one support member being capable of holding a volume of water and said support member having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for allowing controlled inflow and outflow of water to said support member; locating at least one growing medium comprising coir in at least one container to a depth of at least 10 cm;

planting a seed therein;

locating said container on said support member;

supplying water mixed with at least one nutrient to said inlet; controlling the temperature of and circulating air within said enclosed space; and

illuminating said containers on said support members with electrically powered lighting devices.

In a preferred embodiment the lighting devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce luminance in the blue and red parts of the visible light spectrum than in the green part of the visible light spectrum.

In a preferred embodiment the lighting devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce luminance in the frequency ranges 400nm to 500nm and 600nm to 700nm than in the range 500nm to 600nm.

The method may further comprise controlling the temperature of the air to between 19°C to 23°C.

The method preferably comprises controlling the temperature of the air to substantially 21°C.

The method may further comprise testing the level of at least one nutrient in the water and the results of said testing being used to determine further dosing of the water.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus used in the system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the apparatus of figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of another embodiment of an apparatus used in the system of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional, along the line A-A, front view of the apparatus of figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional, along the line B-B, side view of the apparatus of figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a sectional, along the line C-C, side view of the apparatus of figure 3.

Referring to the figures, a system is provided for growing root vegetables, the vegetables generally indicated on figures 1 and 2 using the reference numeral 10. Examples of root vegetables which can be grown using the present invention include, but are not limited to, radishes, carrots, beetroot, turnips and bulb producing root vegetables such as fennel and spring onions. Although the system, in relation to this invention, is provided to grow root vegetables, it is also suitable for growing other crops but it is specific in its main intention to grow root vegetables 10 in an environmentally sustainable manner producing a minimum amount of food waste.

The system uses an apparatus, generally indicated at 12, which is based on the use of a shipping container, generally indicated at 14. Because the shipping container is modified the most important elements of the container, the used in the construction of the apparatus 12, are those that form the frame 16. It is the use of this frame 16 which allows the easy moving and manoeuvring of the apparatus 12 using the standard connections (apertures) indicated at 18, which are common to all such containers.

The shipping container 14 defines an enclosed space, that is, a volume generally indicated at 20, within which the root vegetables 10 are grown. In the embodiment shown in figures 3 to 6, the container 14 is divided into the previously mentioned growing volume 20 and an equipment volume 22. Each volume has a separate door, 24 and 26 respectively, which allow access from outside the container 14 to the internal volumes 20 and 22. Contained within the equipment volume 22 are various apparatus for controlling the growing environment within the growing volume 20. This includes an air temperature control device, in the form of an air handling unit 28, which is used to control the temperature of and circulate the air within the growing volume 20. The air handling unit 28 is connected to a series of ducts including a main distribution duct 30, which is contained within the equipment volume 22 and a series of subducts 32 which distribute the air from the air handling unit 28 into the growing volume 20.

Also contained within the equipment volume 22 is a water supply in the form of water tank 34 two which is connected a nutrient dosing device 36. A condensing unit 38 is used to control the humidity levels within the growing volume 20.

The walls and floor which define the growing volume 20 of the container 14 are insulated with insulating panels 40 which help maintain the temperature of the air within the growing volume 20 as it is circulated by the air handling unit 28. Contained within the growing volume 20 are a series of support members in the form of shelves 42 which are supported by support frame members 44. Each of the shelves 42 is in the form of a trough or bath which can hold a volume of water and has an inlet, indicated at 46 and an outlet or drain, indicated at 48, which allow the trough to be filled and emptied with water from the water tank 34 to which the inlet and outlet are connected (the pipework is not shown) . Also contained within the growing volume 20 are a series of electrically powered lighting units 50 which are located above the shelves 42 so as to shine light onto the shelves and anything placed thereon. The lighting units 50 contain a series of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights which are formed into a line thereby creating the lighting unit. The spectrum of light produced by each of the LEDs has emphasis at the blue and red ends of the visible light spectrum with less light being produced in the middle or green part of the spectrum. Specifically, more illuminance (light power, typically measured in lux) is produced in the regions 400 - 500 nm (blue) and 600 - 700 nm (red) and less in the region 500 - 600 nm (green) . The selection of these frequencies enhances the growth of the root and discourages groove of the leaves of the plant.

Operation of the apparatus 12 will now be described. The apparatus is delivered and manoeuvred into its required position using standard techniques for the movement and manoeuvring of shipping containers. Once in position, the apparatus 12 is connected to an electricity supply, water supply and a waste drainage outlet. The water supply automatically fills and maintains a predetermined level within the water tank 34. The electricity supply provides power to the lighting units 50 as well as to the air handling unit 28 and the pumps associated with the water tank 34 and nutrient dosing device 36.

The root vegetables 10 are grown in a growing medium of coir 52 which is itself located in a container 54 which has a depth, in the region where the root vegetables are being grown, of at least 10 cm. Typically the containers are 60 cm x 60 cm but any size which is easily handled and has a depth greater than 10 cm can be used. The coir growing medium is formed from the processed husk of coconuts. It has a structure which is sufficiently similar to that of soil, which root vegetables normally grow in, as to provide the support and structure which allow the root to grow in its normal form. As a growing medium coir contains almost no nutrients and is therefore ideal for this type of hydroponic growing since the nutrients are added via the nutrient dosing device 36. An example of a suitable growing medium is CANA Coco Professional Plus. Seeds are sown into the growing medium in a manner most suitable for the species of plants to be grown. The container 54 is then placed in the trough that forms one of the shelves 42 under the lighting units 50.

The growing medium is watered using a flood and drain watering method where the troughs of shelves 42 are flooded with water which soaks in through holes in the containers 54 to supply water and nutrients to the plant. The water in the water tank is dosed with nutrients before being used to water the plants . Any suitable fertiliser/nutrients mix can be used. However, ideally an N:P:K ratio of 5:2:5 is used. An example of a nutrient which can be used to dose the water is Maxicrop® Organic which is diluted to a concentration 2%. Once the water in tank 34 is dosed to the correct nutrient concentration it is pumped through the inlets 46 so as to at least partially fill the troughs that form part of the shelves 42. The outlet 48 has an aperture of a predetermined size which ensures that the water in the trough remains in the troughs for a predetermined period of time typically for around 8 minutes. Specifically the water is pumped into the trough for 140 seconds and has drained through the outlet in 8 minutes. This watering occurs approximately every 24 hours. The water that has drained via outlets 48 is returned to the water tank 34 via a filter system which removes any of the growing medium which may have become mixed with the water. This filter system includes a physical filter which removes particulates (mostly small fragments of coir) from the water and a UV sterilization system which destroys any living organisms which are beginning to grow in the nutrient rich water. Water in the water tank 34 is topped up to replace anything that is lost and is tested to determine the current nutrient levels. Additional nutrient is added by the nutrient dosing device 36 to retain the nutrients to the desired level. This flood and drain technique of watering the root vegetable plants 10 is repeated once per day with the refilling of the tank occurring once the drained water has been returned to the tank.

The air handling unit 28 is used to maintain the temperature within the growing volume 20 to a temperature which is preferably in the range of 19°C to 23°C and ideally is maintained at a temperature of 21°C. The air handling unit 28 receives some air from within the growing volume 20 and mixes this with additional air from within the equipment volume 22 or outside. The temperature of the air is measured and adjusted, using heating or cooling equipment within the air handling unit, to the desired temperature. The air also passes through the condenser 38 which removes water to maintain the humidity to substantially 60% . This air is then distributed via the main distribution duct 30 and into the growing volume 22 via the sub-ducts 32. The position of the sub-ducts 32 is ideally to have a sub-duct just above each of the shelves 42 with the outlets of the sub-ducts 32 being directed such that the air from them blows gently over the plants growing. This ensures that the air around the plants does not stagnate and provides the correct balance of gases required for maximum growth.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the embodiment shown in figures 1 and two has the equipment volume 22 attached to the outside of the shipping container structure 14. Because the apparatus produces very little waste water instead of connecting to a drainage outlet the apparatus can simply have a small water outlet which drains onto the floor adjacent to the container.

Claims

1. A system for growing root vegetables, the system comprising : - an enclosed space within which root vegetables can be grown; at least one air temperature control device for controlling the temperature of and circulating the air within said enclosed space ;

at least one growing medium comprising coir;

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lighting devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce more luminance in the blue and red parts of the visible light spectrum than in the green part of the visible light spectrum .

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lighting devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce more luminance in the frequency ranges 400nm to 500nm and 600nm to 700nm than in the range 500nm to 600nm.

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said enclosed space is formed comprising a frame of a shipping container .

5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said support members comprise a plurality of shelves located above one another.

6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said nutrient dosing device adds nutrient at N:P:K to the water to levels of substantially 5:2:5.

7. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said air temperature control device maintains a temperature of 19°C to 23°C.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said air temperature control device maintains a temperature of 21°C.

9. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said water supply comprises at least one tank connected to said inlet and said outlet and further comprising a pump allowing recirculation of said water.

10. A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one nutrient testing device for testing the level of at least one nutrient in the water in said tank and the results of said testing being used to determine further dosing of the water in the tank.

11. A method of growing root vegetables comprising: - providing an enclosed space within which root vegetables can be grown, the space including at least one support member being capable of holding a volume of water and said support member having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for allowing controlled inflow and outflow of water to said support member; locating at least one growing medium comprising coir in at least one container to a depth of at least 10 cm; planting a seed therein;

locating said container on said support member;

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said lighting devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce luminance in the blue and red parts of the visible light spectrum than in the green part of the visible light spectrum.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said lighting devices comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes which produce luminance in the frequency ranges 400nm to 500nm and 600nm to 700nm than in the range 500nm to 600nm.

14. A method according to any of claims 11 to 13 further comprising controlling the temperature of the air to between 19°C to 23°C.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising controlling the temperature of the air to substantially 21°C.

16. A method according to any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising testing the level of at least one nutrient in the water and the results of said testing being used to determine further dosing of the water.

17. A system for growing root vegetables substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

18. A method of growing root vegetables substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.