Introduction to Environmental Control Systems

Description

Study of the operation, the use, the installation and the maintenance of current environmental control systems, sensors and controlled equipment for greenhouses and growth room complex.  Study of control systems operation through simulated training.

Objectives

• Understand the control of growing conditions in greenhouses and growth room complex
  • Explain the control of humidity through venting, heating and supplementary humidifiers
  • Explain the control of climatic temperature through venting, heating and supplementary heating and cooling systems
  • Explain the control the photoperiod for optimal growth, health and quality in plants
  • Explain the control of irrigation cycles according to plant needs
  • Explain how computer settings control growth facility hardware
  • Recognize the importance of collecting and storing environmental data from the control system for future reference
• Understand the uses and operation of current environmental control systems, sensors and controlled equipment for greenhouses and growth room complex, their characteristics and applications
  • Define terminology associated with current environmental controlling systems, sensors and controlled equipment for greenhouses and growth room complex
  • Differentiate the scope of mechanical control possibilities for the growth facility environment
  • Identify hazards pertaining with the installation and securement of mechanical controlled equipment for the growth facility environment
  • Describe safe work practices pertaining with the installation and securement of mechanical controlled equipment for the growth facility environment
  • Describe the characteristics and the applications of current environmental controlling systems, sensors and controlled equipment for greenhouses and growth room complex
  • Explain the role that sensors occupy in the decision-making process for environmental control
  • Defend the need for regular sensor maintenance and/or replacement
  • Indicate how and why correct sensor installation is necessary for proper climatic readings and data collection
  • Explain the implications of severe weather, power surges or outages upon the control systems
• Assume the verification, maintenance and adjustment of current environmental control system
  • Explore the implications of variable hardware settings on humidity, temperature, etc.
  • Program commercial greenhouses/growth facility software to achieve desired environmental outcomes
  • Correctly and promptly deal with network failures which cause the loss of climatic control
  • Optimize environmental controls to achieve maximal yields through the most efficient use of energy and other resources
• Evaluate the various control systems that are currently in the marketplace
  • Review the various control systems that are currently in the marketplace
  • Compare the control systems that are currently in the marketplace

Content Overview

• Principles of computerized Control Systems: Priva, Argus
• Control sequences and routines
• Interfacing probes and control systems
• Control system: modification and calibration of parameters
• Validation of proper data acquisition and backup
• Testing interface and calibration of input/output
• Maintenance and care for probes, cabling, and computer
• Identification of frequent problems
• Sources of abnormal growth due to the control system and associated probes