Mechanical Engineering
M.S. Thesis Defense

"Saltwater Greenhouse System for Agricultural Drainage Treatment and Food Production"
Selina Brinkmann
Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Merced

Abstract

Freshwater consumption in greenhouse (GH) cooling is a concern for agriculture in Central California. Droughts and increasing soil salinity will continue to impact food production and an end to the ever-growing produce demand is not in sight. To combat the freshwater need, drainage water from the fields could be used in GH cooling. However, minerals and other dissolved compounds complicate the direct use of the liquid. 
This talk will discuss the conceptual steps necessary to design a saltwater greenhouse cooling system that utilizes the water content of agricultural drainage and collects the dissolved minerals in solid form. The drawbacks, advantages and limitations of such a system will be discussed. Preliminary results are shared that prove the possibility of salt collection and provide potential operational forms. 
 

Biography

Selina Brinkmann is a graduate student at the University of California, Merced. Her research targets sustainable water management in agriculture. Currently, she is working on a saltwater greenhouse system to combat soil salinity and freshwater usage. She received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Siegen in Germany, focusing on passive noise reduction measures for small wind turbines.