Design variations of a restrictor-turbulence creator

Abstract

This Final Year Project explores the design and development of various hydroponic setups using SolidWorks Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. The focus is on the creation of a modular, non-mechanical, flow restricting and turbulent generation design for small scale growing of hydroponic plants. To prevent root rot on the fragile roots of the plants, flow restriction works to lower the arriving velocity of the fluid flow in the channels before it reaches the plant growth zones. Turbulent flow design is then used to increase flow velocity to boost the nutrient intake through improved fluid mixing around the roots. A balance of these elements work together to protect the plant's roots while ensuring it receives enough nutrients. The initial slowing of flow induced by flow limits helps to counteract the subsequent rise in velocity generated by the turbulence generation in the developing zones. The report also details the ideation processes of different possible hydroponic setups and drawing outcomes within SolidWorks, outlining the creation of individual components and their variations. In addition, it explains how to use SolidWorks Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) flow simulation tools to forecast flow characteristics. CFD approximates flow characteristics via the widely used Finite Difference Method (FDM) and operates based on the three conservation laws: mass, momentum, and energy. These results are discussed in tandem with how they impact the final design choices.