Understanding Airflow in Plant Growth Rooms
Plant growth rooms and growth chambers are advanced environmental control systems for users to maintain controlled environmental conditions such as temperature, light, humidity, CO2 levels and ventilation to achieve optimal conditions for plant growth and experimentation. They are specialised facilities used for scientific and industrial practices such as plant physiology, genetically modified plants, pharmaceuticals and agricultural research.
Adequate ventilation is crucial for cultivating healthy plants and regulating temperature, CO₂ and humidity levels. Air circulation is vital for consistent plant growth. An adequate airflow facilitates the intake of carbon dioxide, enabling plants to photosynthesise and produce the energy they need to grow. It also prevents a buildup of stagnant air and replicates natural wind allowing plants to build resistance and enhance their stem structure. It is also important to avoid excessive air velocity which can cause stress to the plants, such as damaged leaves, water loss and stunted growth.
Poor ventilation in growing rooms can result in plants being deprived of CO2 which can limit growth and reduce the yield. Temperature and humidity levels will also rise, leading to the build-up of moisture and stagnant air which will enable the growth of mould. Such environments can quickly become prone to the development of disease and pests, ultimately damage to the plant life. Axial fans are used for both intake and exhaust air, to expel warm, stale air, and bring in fresh air, balancing the environment and replacing depleted CO₂.
Fans to Achieve Optimal Airflow in Plant Rooms
The design of these controlled environment rooms and the necessary fan components varies, depending on the environmental requirements of the plant species and quantity. Different airflow patterns such as downward, upward, and horizontal flows, offer unique advantages, relative to the needs of each individual plant species, and the requirements of the application. A uniform airflow ensures an even distribution of air across the entire surface area.
These facilities can be energy intensive, so fan selection should focus on reducing energy consumption if it is the goal of the end user. Choosing a suitable industrial fan depends on the goals and makeup of the environment. For smaller scale plant growth rooms, inline duct fans or double inlet forward curved fans may offer the most simple and efficient solution with low noise. For larger scale rooms, also typically required within agricultural vertical farming, axial fans or EC plug fans offer higher efficiencies and control in moving larger volume airflows.
The market for controlled environment plant growth facilities is expanding rapidly, proving key to providing the ideal experimental conditions to accelerate plant science research for agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors through sustained growth. On a larger scale, these facilities offer a sustainable solution for agricultural production to fulfil the demands of the growing population and environmental changes. Rising energy costs is a driving force to implementing more innovative and energy efficient solutions, as is increased urbanisation, the demand for medical herbs and the need for more stable and sustainable farming methods.
We’re here to support you at design stage, offering solution led technical advice and an accurate fan selection to ensure you meet the specific airflow requirements of your plant growth facility.
Contact our technical engineers on 01782 349 430 for an in-depth chat and we’ll advise you on the best solution in terms of airflow performance, speed control and efficiency. Alternatively, you can reach us on our live web chat.