Released under the GIC Framework
Arkhangai Greenhouse
Country or Countries Where Challenge Takes Place:
Use available glass resource and collaborate to find ways to improve an existing greenhouse and thus extend the growing period of the Hasu Shivert Resort in the Arkhangai province.
Details:
In the Arkhangai province (Aimag), M●CAM has partnered with the Hasu Shivert Resort. The resort is almost completely self sustaining as they produce their own food, energy, water, and shelter. They have three greenhouses on site and one of the three greenhouses is a large A-frame greenhouse.
This greenhouse measures approximately 25 meters in length, 5 meters in width and 4 meters in height. The highest point of the ceiling is directly in the middle of the building. From the ceiling to the floor on the south facing side of the building are windows with metal framing. The angle of the window is approximately 60°at the bottom corner and 30° at the top corner (specifics will be defined in the near future). The north facing ceiling is opaque and wooden. The base of the north facing wall is concrete. The heat contained by the current structure allows plants to grow for three months (other 9 months are too cold). The inside of the greenhouse is humid and heated (geothermally) with water, up to 68°C.
Approximate coordinates of the Arkhangai Greenhouse Project are:
-101°31’ longitude (E) 47°38’ latitude (N)
-In winter, the mean temperature is -30 °C to -38 °C (-22 °F to -36 °F) and in summer the highest temperature is between 25 °C and 36 °C (77 °F and 97 °F).
-The lowest recorded temperature is -42 °C in 2000-2001 so the epoxy and glass composite would need to be able to withstand an approximate -50 °C to 50 °C temperature range.
The composite must also be able to withstand significant rainstorms and wind gusts.
The challenge is to add a thicker layer of composite recycled glass. Empty glass bottles are abundant in the area. Vodka is very popular and empty vodka bottle piles would fill many rooms. The G.I.C. Challenge is to take the available glass resource, and collaborate to find the best way to crush the glass, add epoxy and form a thick enough and translucent enough outer window for the greenhouse. This outer window must be able to withstand a significant amount of external and internal moisture of varying temperatures.
Commodity:
Hills, arable soil, dairy, vegetables, buildings, hot springs, hot water (69 degrees C), large glass piles, pool, basketball courts, showers, passable road, horses
Custom & Culture:
Resort has been traditionally Russian but has since been operated by Mongolians. Proprietor Munkhbat Hasu runs the facility and staff are trained in hospitality. Many agriculture workers work in the greenhouses, on grounds and near the property. Hasu is well known for his prized racing horses. Sporting facilities, swimming and hot tub facilities are all on grounds. Traditional Mongolian activities such as horse riding and archery are available.
Knowledge:
Local knowledge about banking, business, short term debt cycles and credit matched with timeline. Farming, greenhouse, algae growing, resort operations, food and beverage, dining, health spa operation, massage, tourism, horse training
Money:
Value is currently unknown.
Technology:
Geothermal heating on property, greenhouses, plant and algae growing technology, plumbing, heating, cooling, pipes, nozzles, equipment for greenhouse and farm.
Well-Being:
Employment opportunities at resort, in greenhouses, and on grounds. Tourism to area significant in summer months. Plentiful food, vegetarian, dairy, and meat in the region. Health facilities for water treatment, massage, rest.
Links:
- Biomass Technology
- Commodity
- Custom & Culture
- Knowledge
- Money
- Technology
- Well-Being
- Drought Resistant Technology
- Water Dispenser
- Erosion Management
- Water Filtration
- Agriculture
- Geothermal
- Herbicides/Fungicides
- Irrigation
- Water Pumps
- Pest Control
- Water Storage Container
- Soil Management
- Water Testing
- Solar
- Clean Energy
- Water
Comments
Question from Nergui
Dear Tom and Ken,
I also like the idea of shutters. Just one quick question: can we find a technology that can help to expand the growing season to whole year?
Tom Response
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your clarifying questions…great points! To answer your questions, flowrate on geothermal hot water varies throughout the day. In the afternoon, the spring is used to refill the large swimming pool on premises. During the night time, we’ll have maximum flow rate. My best guess for the moment (I will determine this spec for you) is that at minimum we’ll have a few gallons per minute excess during pool filling time and maximum flow is equivalent to the afternoon rate which equals enough to fill at meter deep, 30 meter long pool in an hour or two.
In terms of adding a second layer, the answer will be determined by the current strength of the support beams and frames. Rich now, I would assume that the current structure would not support a second layer and may not be able to support a heavier layer than currently exists. To add shutters, we’ll definitely need to replace the current structure and framing which probably has to be done in any scenario. I love the idea of shutters to deal with the daily differential. We may be able to develop swivels to lessen the work time involved. In other comments, we have seen an idea to make smaller square panels in order to deal with expansion and contraction issues. We’ll definitely test for this and see if they can be combined.
From Tom
If the main problem is the cold, what is the geothermal heat input like? Up to 68C water, but what’s the flow rate?
Are you looking to replace the existing glass, or add a second layer?
You’re at quite a low latitude, so there should be plenty of solar input. Wouldn’t it make more sense to add “shutters” – nighttime blankets or insulation, which would stop the heat escaping during the night, without reducing insolation during the day? Slightly labour-intensive to close them every night and open them every morning, but very simple. They’re used in some commercial greenhouses.
Comments Submitted from GIC 1.0 Blog
From bikerider:
Use the Vodka bottles as thermal mass. Fill the bottles with water (leave room for expansion in case of freezing incidents) and stack them flat along the North wall and any other possible location in the greenhouse. They will absorb heat during the day time and radiate it out into the green house at night ameliorating some of the temperature swings