{"id":4067,"date":"2015-06-26T20:19:41","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T20:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/?p=4067"},"modified":"2021-04-15T15:30:52","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T20:30:52","slug":"lufa-farms-installs-a-highly-efficient-heating-and-ventilation-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/?p=4067&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Lufa Farms installs a highly efficient heating and ventilation system"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lufa Farms: an innovative entrepreneurial concept<\/span>
\nLufa Farms’ reputation was built on innovation. The concept: It farms fresh produce in rooftop greenhouses covered with tempered glass on commercial urban buildings in Quebec. The plants are grown on slabs, without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. On harvest days, produce is picked in the morning, packaged and then delivered in the afternoon to different community drop-off points around the city. The proximity of its customers allows Lufa Farms to reduce transportation and handling costs.<\/span>
\nAnd now, to remain competitive, Lufa Farms uses highly efficient technologies to grow its fruits and vegetables.<\/span>
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\"Serre<\/a>
Rooftop farm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 
\nHeating system, process and ventilation: innovative efficiency <\/span>
\nHEATING<\/span>
\nTo maintain a stable, suitable temperature in the greenhouse, Lufa Farms uses the following technologies: horizontal and vertical thermal curtains, insulation around the greenhouse perimeter and a buffer-wall of insulated air. The greenhouse is also entirely automated in order to optimize energy efficiency, particularly with respect to CO2 management.<\/span>
\nThe boiler room operates with top-performing natural-gas heating equipment that uses high-efficiency (over 95%) thermal condensation.<\/span>
\nThe greenhouse’s innovative heat-distribution system uses in-floor heating rails in rows between the plants, combined with polyethylene tubes underneath the plants.<\/span>
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\"29_2_2_chaudiere\"<\/a>
Condensing boiler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n 
\nCO2<\/sub> INJECTION<\/span>
\nThe CO2 is injected into the air-buffer zone, drawn in by ventilators and redirected to the plant bases through the polyethylene tubes.<\/span>
\nVENTILATION<\/span>
\nA greenhouse’s temperature and humidity are regulated by its ventilation system. It is made up of a complex process involving heat exchange with outside air as well as proper regulation of the greenhouse’s heat, CO2 production and humidity level.<\/span>
\nThe conventional method for cooling and controlling humidity in a greenhouse is through ventilation and heating. Through this process, a percentage of the hot, humid air inside is replaced by cold, dry air from the outside by means of a retractable roof. Greenhouses normally have roof ventilation (natural) or side-ventilation (mechanical). This method will minimize CO² injections. Production in semi-closed greenhouses aims to maintain optimal humidity and temperature levels to limit outside heat and air transfers and to conserve a higher CO² level to stimulate photosynthesis.<\/span>
\nTo optimize operating costs, Lufa greenhouses only use roof ventilation when absolutely necessary: either to evacuate heat or release excessive pressure in the greenhouse. Most of the time, however, the air-buffer zone takes care of ventilation. When cooling becomes necessary, flaps open to let in outside air, which passes through a ventilation\/buffer wall (i.e. water circulates to cool down the outside air). When necessary, the air is heated with a water-to-air heat exchanger. These systems reduce energy consumption, as well as the volume of air treated.<\/span>
\nTo ensure that concrete energy savings are achieved, the following parameters were observed and measured on a regular basis:<\/span><\/p>\n