Modeling and control of a root-growth experimental set-up

Details

Supervisors

Dochain, Denis

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil mécanicien, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

In the context of climate change of today, analyzing the growth of plant roots is important regarding the optimization of the plant cultivation. Root growth takes place inside the soil so it is complex to observe. In the greenhouses of UCLouvain, an aeroponic observation method, known as RootPhAir platform has been developed. The aim of this thesis is to develop a dynamical model based on energy balance in the experimental set-up, and to design and implement a control strategy based on this model in order to control the temperature inside the chamber in spite of variations of the greenhouse temperature. This control is made by controlling the temperature of the misting solution. By making temperature measurements in the initial set-up and using methods of parameters identification, the model governing the energy transfer is established. A PI controller is simulated but not applied in practice. However, a circuit that cools down the misting solution is added. This permits to regulate as wanted the temperature inside the chamber. Nevertheless, it is not efficient in all situations.