studiomobile: seawater vertical farm

‘seawater vertical farm’ by studiomobile image courtesy studiomobile

during the last two years italian architectural firm studiomobile have been working in the united arab emirates, developing housing projects and infrastructure projects. most recently they developed their concept ‘seawater vertical farm’.

the seawater vertical farm uses seawater to cool and humidify greenhouses and to convert sufficient humidity back in to fresh water to irrigate the crops. the project has been presented in dubai where there is an absence of fresh water and local cultivations, a problem of urban transport and a high soil value, making this concept a feasible one.

‘seawater vertical farm’ image courtesy studiomobile

‘seawater vertical farm’ image courtesy studiomobile

inside the ‘seawater vertical farm’ image courtesy studiomobile

‘seawater vertical farm’ diagram of how the farm works image courtesy studiomobile

how the concept works:

phase 01 the air going into the greenhouse is first cooled and humidified by seawater, which is trickled over the first evaporator. this provides a fresh and humid climate for the crops that in these conditions need very little water as they are not stressed by excessive transpiration.

phase 02 as the air leaves the growing area it passes through the second evaporator which has seawater flowing over it. during this phase the humid air mix with the warm dry air of the ceiling interspace. thus the air is made much hotter and more humid.

phase 03 the warm air is forced to flow upward by the stack effect that is temperature induced. in the central chimney the warm and humid air will condense when in contact with plastic tubes where cool sea water is pumped. in the surface of the condenser many drops of fresh water will appear, ready to be recollected in a tank to water the crops and for other uses.

‘seawater vertical farm’ diagram of how the farm works image courtesy studiomobile

‘seawater vertical farm’ diagram of how the farm works image courtesy studiomobile