ISHS Acta Horticulturae 481: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
THE BURLINGTON COUNTY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GREENHOUSE |
| Authors: | W. J. Roberts, D. Specca |
| Abstract:
A research and development greenhouse has been constructed at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Facility in Mansfield Township, near Columbus, New Jersey. A primary purpose of the facility is to demonstrate STTPS, the Single Truss Tomato Production System concept developed at Rutgers University. The main greenhouse is 77 meters wide with 7 bays at 11 m with each bay being 52 m long. The headhouse, 14.6 m wide and 62 m long, is placed between the main greenhouse area and the nursery production facility which is 11 m wide and 27.4 m long. Energy for the heating system will be supplied from methane gas extracted from the adjacent Resource Recovery facility when the methane collection system is completely operational. The gas is now being flared. A floor energy storage system and sidewall and overhead 50 mm hot water steel pipe constitute the heating system for the facility. Ventilation is accomplished through mechanical ventilation provided by electric fans. A screened and calibrated ventilation inlet provides control of incoming air and excludes insects from the growing area. Evaporative cooling is provided by a high pressure fog system with nozzles placed at the inlet window vent and along the central aisle in each greenhouse section. Currently three sections are glazed with glass and four sections are glazed with two layers of polyethylene film. Tomatoes in the STTPS are grown on transportable benches and are moved to the workers for pruning, inspection and harvest. Hives of bees located strategically throughout the growing area provide pollination for the crop. Supplemental lighting for year round production is provided by 430 watt HID (high intensity discharge) high-pressure sodium lamps at 92 watts per square meter. Electric power for the lights, currently supplied from the grid, will ultimately be supplied by a large co-generation unit which will provide power for the entire resource recovery operation. Rejected heat from the co-generation engine will be stored in the floor through the floor heating system. | |
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