Ultrasonic Production of Plant Nutrients Mist to Use in Aeroponic Systems: Feasibility and Investigation of Some Effective Parameters

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PHD student, Department of Mechanics of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanics of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Food Technology Engineering, College of Aboureyhan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Mechanics of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Common fog production methods in aeroponic systems have some the disadvantages and limitations. So, an initial study was carried out to assess the feasibility to use the fog production technology through ultrasound. The effect of four independent variables, namely, over piezoelectric fluid head at three levels of 20, 30 and 40 mm, three levels of reservoir dimensions, three levels of piezoelectric location at the bottom of the reservoir, and fertilizer concentration in solution at four levels of 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 g.L-1 on fog production rate, electrical conductivity changes, and total dissolved solids as dependent variables were investigated. The effects of three variables of concentration, piezoelectric position and reservoir dimensions on the rate of fog production were significant at 1% probability level. Also, the effect of fluid head was significant at probability level of 5%. The results indicated that the water-soluble nutrients could be transported better by ultrasound at a certain range of soluble concentrations.

Keywords


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