Static Mass Balance Studies of the MELiSSA Pilot Plant: Integration of a Higher Plant Chamber

This paper presents results generated from an EXCEL based static mass balance model for the incorporation of a higher plant chamber to the MELiSSA Pilot Plant. The model was parameterized using empirical data collected from beet and lettuce production trials and from trials conducted with Pilot Plant or bench scaled MELiSSA compartments. Of particular interest were the daily mass balances of CO₂, O₂ and nitrogen in the loop for a given set of input variables. The results allow the loop’s designers to foresee the range of conditions for which closure of the mass balances can be expected. This information will be used in the next phases of the MELISSA Pilot Plant integration project.