Multilevel closed ecosystem greenhouse

Abstract

A greenhouse is disclosed having a light-transmitting barrier and a floor surface. The barrier and floor surface are connected to define an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation. The barrier includes an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer. The inner and outer layers are impermeable to air to substantially prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer. The outer layer is spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween. The air passage is in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet in a top portion of the outer layer. Air within the air passage flows passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated.

1 . A greenhouse comprising: a light-transmitting barrier and a floor surface, the light-transmitting barrier having at least one light-transmitting roof section supported by at least one light-transmitting wall section, the at least one roof section being inclined relative to the floor surface, the barrier and floor surface being connected to define an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation, the barrier comprising an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being impermeable to air to prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer, a shape of the outer layer being the same as a shape of the inner layer, the outer layer being spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween, the air passage being in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet in a top portion of the outer layer, air within the air passage flowing passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated. 
     
     
         2 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-transmitting roof section includes a first and a second roof section meeting at an apex section, the first roof section having a south-facing orientation and the second roof section having a north-facing orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The greenhouse of  claim 2 , wherein the first roof section has a length being greater than a length of the second roof section. 
     
     
         4 . The greenhouse of  claim 2 , wherein the air outlet of the outer layer is disposed within the apex section and includes an outlet passage defined by spaced apart outer layers of the first and second roof sections. 
     
     
         5 . The greenhouse of  claim 4 , wherein the outlet passage includes at least one airfoil structure disposed therein, said airfoil structure having an airfoil surface engaging the air in the outlet passage. 
     
     
         6 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat sink beneath the floor surface, the heat sink in operation absorbing heat from at least the air within the air passage, and the heat sink in operation releasing the absorbed heat into the air passage from the floor surface. 
     
     
         7 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the air exiting the greenhouse via the air outlet, the heat exchanger in operation transferring heat from said air to another fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , wherein the air outlet of the outer layer comprises at least one air feed conduit disposed on the outer layer, the at least one air feed conduit having a feed inlet to receive air from outside the greenhouse, and a feed outlet disposed within the air passage. 
     
     
         9 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of planar plant supports being spaced apart vertically from the floor surface within the enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The greenhouse of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of upright cultivation towers disposed within the enclosure, each cultivation tower being disposed on one of the plant supports. 
     
     
         11 . The greenhouse of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of cultivation bins disposed within the enclosure, each cultivation bin being disposed on one of the plant supports. 
     
     
         12 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , further comprising a geopolymer concrete base, the floor surface being disposed on the base. 
     
     
         13 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer layers are made from a light-transparent material selected from the group of Poly(methyl methacrylates) (PMMAs). 
     
     
         14 . A greenhouse, comprising: a double shell geometry defined by an inner light-transparent shell joined to a floor to form an air-tight lower enclosure for plant cultivation that is not connected to outside air, and an outer light-transparent shell separated from the inner shell by an air gap, both the shells having the same shape, both the shells being impermeable to air and defining an air passage where air is constrained between the inner and outer shells, the air passage being in fluid communication with at least one bottom air inlet at a lower portion of the outer shell and with at least one upper air outlet in a top portion of the outer shell, air within the air passage forming an upward flow from the bottom air inlet to the upper air outlet, the upward flow resulting from convection when the air within the air passage is being heated, the upward flow transporting heated air to the upper air outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The greenhouse of  claim 14 , further comprising a passive heat conservation mechanism where air in the air passage is kept stagnant when not heated and acts as an insulation layer reducing heat for escaping the lower enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The greenhouse of  claim 14 , wherein the double shell geometry and floor are integrated with a multi-floor building. 
     
     
         17 . The greenhouse of  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer layers and the floor accommodate a multi-floor structure.