Journal article
Computer model of hydroponics nutrient solution pH control using ammonium
Life support & biosphere science, Vol.6(2), pp.73-85
1999
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115798
PMID: 11542244
Abstract
A computer simulation of a hydroponics-based plant growth chamber using ammonium to control pH was constructed to determine the feasibility of such a system. In nitrate-based recirculating hydroponics systems, the pH will increase as plants release hydroxide ions into the nutrient solution to maintain plant charge balance. Ammonium is an attractive alternative to traditional pH controls in an ALSS, but requires careful monitoring and control to avoid overdosing the plants with ammonium. The primary advantage of using NH4+ for pH control is that it exploits the existing plant nutrient uptake charge balance mechanisms to maintain solution pH. The simulation models growth, nitrogen uptake, and pH of a l-m2 stand of wheat. Simulation results indicated that ammonium-based control of nutrient solution pH is feasible using a proportional integral controller. Use of a 1 mmol/L buffer (Ka = 1.6 x 10(-6)) in the nutrient solution is required.
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Details
- Title
- Computer model of hydroponics nutrient solution pH control using ammonium
- Creators
- M Pitts - Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6120, USA. pitts@wsu.eduG Stutte
- Publication Details
- Life support & biosphere science, Vol.6(2), pp.73-85
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Publisher
- United States
- Identifiers
- 99900547336901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article