Introduction to High Pressure Aeroponics
History of Aeroponics
High Pressure Aeroponics (HPA) was developed by NASA looking for a growing system that used the least amount of resources and produced the most plant material. HPA was the ticket for NASA.
Basically the system of HPA is where plant roots are suspended in air with regular misting from high pressure nozzles. NASA found that nutrient solution mist droplets’ size best for plant uptake was 5 to 80 microns. This can be accomplished with HPA systems running at 80 to 150PSI depending on design.
High Pressure Aeroponics Basics
HPA is the most complicated setup of all the hydroponic systems. The basic idea is plant’s root system is suspended in the air in a 100% humidity root chamber. This chamber has high-pressure nozzles that create 5 – 80 micron mist droplets. This is created with normally about 100PSI through high pressure / low flow nozzles. The mist is shot in bursts normally 3-10 seconds every so many minutes. It uses 70 to 80% fewer nutrients and 90% less water than other hydroponic systems.
The results of High Pressure Aeroponics are amazing. Plants can take up more nutrients due to their high availability. Oxygen is required for nutrient uptake and this type of hydroponics provides the most oxygen to plant’s root systems. This high efficiency grows crops faster, increasing yields, and much more ecologically.
High Pressure Aeroponics Setup
HPA systems basically must include a reservoir for nutrients, booster pump for pressure, cycle timer, pressure regulation, and mist nozzles. This basic aeroponic system basically works by the cycle timer turning on the pump at misting intervals. The pressure should be regulated to 80 to 120PSI depending on the nozzles you are using to create correct size range of droplets.
Optional Improvement: Accumulator Tank
Adding an accumulator tank to the mix allows for way better quality and control over misting. Instead of the pump cycling every mist cycle, the pump charges up the accumulator tank. Generally 20% more than misting PSI level. The timer as seen below is connected to an NC (normally closed) electric valve instead of the pump. During a misting cycle, the timer activates the valve to open and feed the pressurized nutrient solution to the misting nozzles.
Parts List
- Reservoir: For holding nutrient solution
- Booster Pump: For creating needed pressure.
- Accumulator Tank: For holding pressurized nutrient solution to supply mist nozzles.
- Pressure Relief Valve: Most important part as it is for safety. If the tank is ever over pressured by pump, pressure is relieved off the system so no BOOM!
- Pressure gauges: These are for monitoring pressure in the system. First gauge shows pressure in the tank. Second gauge shows what the regulator is regulating it to.
- Pressure Regulator: To regulate the pressure down from the tank to normally 80 to 120 PSI.
- NC Electric Valve: These are opened when a timer activates them and they allow pressurized solution to the misting nozzles.
- Cycle Timer: Time that activate a device in this case the NC Valve. Normally set to 3-6 seconds “On” to 3 – 6 minutes “Off”
- Mist Nozzles: One of the most important parts. They need to have the correct size opening or “orifice.” Depending on the pressure being used.
- Root Chamber: This is where the plants roots are suspended and misted. Some people recirculate any solution that drips down. But many suggest “drain to waste” on extra solution. I believe dialing in your system for efficiency and “drain to waste” is best way to go.
Advantages of High Pressure Aeroponics
- Uses 90% less water than other hydroponic systems and soil growing.
- Using 70% to 80% less nutrients than other hydroponic system types. Even though the system costs more to install, its operating costs are cheaper in many ways.
- Most efficient method of growing when considering higher yields and greatly decreased crop turnover time.
- Less chance of disease issues in plants as HPA is so clean.
In Conclusion
HPA is by far the most advanced and best hydroponic system. But it is not for everyone. We have a blog post that gives an overview of the different types of hydroponic systems (Click Here to view).
At Hydro-Unlimited, we are reaching a dream we have had for a long time. This dream is the development of a full HPA system for production like every other hydroponic type has. Plus an offering of a DIY Kit for the building of an HPA system, that takes the extensive research requirements of building an HPA system away.
Categories: HPA (High Pressure) Aeroponics