Multi-objective optimization green design for hydroponic piping

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering) -- University of Rizal System-Morong

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The research described the development of hydroponic system using solar panel to control the pump power based of optimization algorithm. The solar powered water pumping system designed is ideally can be used in the Antipolo City (Philippines) due to the location factor and also give the benefit to the environment as renewable energy. This research study is also geared to determine the minimum water footprint and the minimum energy required of the system components. The output of solar power system varies throughout the day and with changes in weather conditions. The power source for solar pumping, has no moving parts, requires no maintenance and lasts for decades. A properly designed solar pumping system will be more efficient, simple and reliable. The research involves a combination of different variables and optimum piping system lay out into one sustainable system which consists of the solar panel, battery, pump, inverter, filter, pipe and tank. As the study has been conducted, the researchers proved that the variables used in the study can affect the water footprint and energy required of the system. The variables of water footprint are pipe diameter, head height, tank volume, pipe length and pump power can be used to adjust the water footprint and the study resulted in a reduction almost 25% of the systems water footprint, while in energy required the variables are solar panel area, sun energy output and pump power as link between two objectives in simulation using method called epsilon constraint method and uses grid search as its algorithm, the simulation of energy required resulted into a 75% reduction on its consumed energy. The piping lay out was already provided to show the value of components that was optimized in the study. Prospects for hydroponics may improve if government would design public policies supporting subsidies for such production systems. Besides economic benefits, hydroponics implies conservation of water, cogeneration of energy, income producing employment for reducing the impact on welfare rolls and improving the quality of life.