CULTIVATIONS CONTROL SYSTEM IN A FOIL TUNNEL

Przemysław Filipek

Abstract

The foil tunnel crop control system presented in this article operates an irrigation system and a system that regulates air temperature and humidity. The irrigation system consists of solenoid valves, supplying water to a tunnel area divided into four zones. This allows four different types of plants to be grown. The system uses rainwater, collected in a reservoir when it is available.  The water is delivered to the plants via by means of rubber hoses with holes. Thanks to this solution, the water is fed directly under the plant. The executive elements of the control system temperature and humidity are a motor and a fan. The motor opens the window when the measured parameters exceed the set value. If the humidity of the air is too high the fan is switched on, accelerating the air exchange. The system has an anemometer, the purpose of which is to measure and report dangerously strong winds. When the wind speed exceeds a critical value, the microcontroller forces the windows to be closed to protect the tunnel. The system also has a display, showing values of measured parameters and setpoints, as well as buttons to view them and change the expected value. An alarm is attached to the system. It is activated when the microcontroller registers a parameter value that is impossible to achieve under the tunnel's operating conditions. This indicates a possible failure of the measuring system. The executed system correctly adjusts the indicated parameters within its tolerance. The system has confirmed its usefulness, effectively reducing the time and labour required for plant care.