Metabolic activity assessment specialised microclimate chamber with control system
2008
Osadcuks, V., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Engineering; Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Information Technology. Dept. of Computer Systems. Biosystems Group | Stalidzans, E., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Information Technology. Dept. of Computer Systems. Biosystems Group; SIA TIBIT, Ozolnieki, Jelgava reg. (Latvia)
Metabolic activity is important parameter assessing intensity and dynamics of biological processes. Measurement of metabolic activity can serve as an indicator of normal process as well as an alarm signal if processes go unexpected or wrong way. Metabolic rate can be used as early diagnosis before unwanted process becomes visible and clear. Authors of this article have developed a room-size microclimate chamber (house) with possibilities to determine metabolic activity of a bioprocess measuring its impact on microclimate parameters. The construction of the chamber and its control have to allow accurate assessment of environmental impact on the system as well as control impact of microclimate control to be able to calculate the metabolic activity. Im = Ie - Ic, where Im - impact of metabolism, Ie - impact of environment and Ic impact of microclimate control system. This equation is based on balance equation of a steady state of the microclimate where control system compensates impacts of metabolism and environment to keep the microclimate stable. Microclimate chamber is built as a sandwich panel construction and can be installed indoors or outdoors. Control parameter is temperature with possibility to develop additionally the system for humidity and gas composition control. The control system is developed using programmable logic controller (PLC) that can execute complicated control algorithms allowing registering all activities of the control system. The program of PLC is created using 'cyclogram - algorithm - state machine' approach and ladder logic notation. Algorithm of temperature control, state diagram and summary of transition guards of the state diagram are demonstrated. Setup of metabolic rate measurement in case of wintering honey bees is demonstrated.
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