Evaluation of a 0.7 kW Suspension-Type Dehumidifier Module in a Closed Chamber and in a Small Greenhouse

Abstract

Controlling humidity inside greenhouses is crucial for optimum plant growth and controlling physiological disorders and diseases. The humidity response and uniformity depend extensively on the evaluation of the dehumidifier. The objective of this research was to evaluate a low-powered suspension-type dehumidifier module in terms of humidity changes and spatial and vertical variability in a closed chamber and in a small greenhouse. A wireless sensor network including 27 sensor nodes was used to collect the data during the humidity changes from 80% to 70% and 90% to 70%. The humidity response results showed that the times required for dehumidification from 80% to 70% and 90% to 70% were 13.75 and 21.51 min, respectively, for the closed-chamber operation. Similarly, for the small greenhouse, 18 and 35 min were required to reduce the humidity levels from 80% to 70% and 90% to 70%, respectively. The spatial and variability results indicated that the changes in humidity at the rear and bottom layers were slower than those in the other layers of both experimental areas. The findings of this study would aid in the development of dehumidification strategies and sustainable agriculture for monitoring and controlling humidity in greenhouses using low-powered dehumidifiers.