Naslov
New and smart approach to aeroponic and seafood production

Autori
Klarin, Branko ; Garafulić, Endri ; Vučetić, Nedjeljka ; Jakšić, Tomislav

Izvornik
Journal of cleaner production (0959-6526) 239 (2019); 117665, 6

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Aeroponic greenhouses ; Seafood production ; Production catamaran ; Low emission ; Renewable energy powering ; Zero hunger

Sažetak
In this paper, a concept of naval aeroponic and seafood facility is presented. Due to large world population growth and the future food demand, some sustainable and renewable energy- based food production concepts are required. This concept is based on the sun tracking, where a large sailing ship, equipped with aeroponic greenhouses slowly sails on the sea. During sailing, plants grow, mature and harvest. When ready for consumption, they are packed and delivered to the nearest markets. If plants demand fast growing, then the ship can sail in the Equatorial area, thus boosting sun energy into plants via photosynthesis process. The ship can also use solar and wind energy for powering, thus sailing with very low emission. Because of its mobility, the ship has the ability to avoid adverse weather and especially critical atmospheric phenomena (storms, tornadoes, hurricanes etc.). The first analysis indicates that also other food production can be applied, such as fish, shells and crabs inside the ship, either in internal pools or even ballast pools. The ship can sail near large coastal cities or harbors e.g. near large food markets to minimize transportation costs. Fixed costs were estimated at 33 MEUR and variable at 8.25 MEUR. Depending on the market, annual profit is calculated from 5.4 to 14.1 MEUR. The analysis shows that the concept is profitable on average for 6 years, as long as its pay-back period lasts if it is near the preferred market. Smart algorithms are required to match many different simultaneous fields of action: navigation safety, crop growth, energy consumption, and minimization of labor costs. Thus, the concept becomes an efficient and mobile hybrid food production factory, using renewable energy sources for sailing and production, as well as a smart low- emission facility.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Strojarstvo

POVEZANOST RADA