DEVELOPMENT OF A FOGGING SYSTEM FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL IN AN A-FRAME

GREENHOUSE

By
Michael Oluwagbemiga, OYEDEJI
Matric No: 192868

Supervised By
Dr. M. O. Omobowale
 INTRODUCTION
When it comes to greenhouses, their primary function is to produce and maintain
an atmosphere that allows for optimum agricultural productivity and profit
(Ouammi et al., 2019). The presence of warmth and humidity is required for the
growth of most plants. Despite the fact that both glass and plastic film allow
sunlight to enter the greenhouse (Hiscott et al., 2021), they are poor conductors
of heat, and as a result, they prevent heat from escaping to the outside.
 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The sharp increase in population growth in Nigeria, which is projected to reach 400
million by 2050, will increase the rate of food demand for survival amidst climate
change. In order to meet the food demand of the population, there is a need for
greenhouse technologies to boost food production and yield and mitigate the effects
of climate change on food production. In the tropical region like Nigeria,
greenhouses are associated with high temperature profiles, especially during the
drying seasons, which means no optimal conditions for the cultivation of low
temperature-tolerance crops.
 OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this project is to develop a low-cost fogging system for
environmental control in an A-frame greenhouse in order to create an optimal
micro-climate for crop production. In achieving the main objective, the
following activities were carried out;
i. Design of cooling requirements, installation of foggers, lines and water
storage.
ii. Monitoring and evaluation of microclimate in a fogging installed A-framed
greenhouse and no fogging A-framed greenhouse.
 JUSTIFICATION
The use of a fogging system is an excellent alternative for cooling. As air
temperatures build in greenhouses water loss from the plants can exceed
the amount of water the plants can take up. Using this system in this
situation, lowers air temperature, increases the humidity of the air, and
does not saturate the growing mediums exposing them to fungi, moss, and
gnats. It also provides a more uniform mist distribution within the
greenhouse and has lower maintenance costs. It requires less management
to keep the humidity high
 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Design Consideration Materials

i. Greenhouse microclimate
ii. Size and shape of the greenhouse
iii. Water storage capacity
Methods
i. Fogging Lines
ii. Underground water storage
iii. Foggers installation
iv. Micro-controller
installation
v. Microclimate Monitoring
i. Four-way foggers
ii. High Pressure water pump (0.5 hp)
iii. Gum
iv. Thread tape
v. ½ , ¾, 1 inch pipe
vi. ½, ¾, 1 inch elbow, socket, tee and union
vii. Water tank
viii. Temperature senor micro controller
ix. Suction bottom valve
x. Ball valve
 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONTD

Figure 1: Fogging Layout in the Greenhouse Figure 2: Schematic Diagram of the Fogging System
 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONTD

Plate 1: Foggers Installation Plate 2: Microcontroller Temperature Sensor and Timer

 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONTD

Plate 3: The Fogging System Plate 4: Lascar Data Loggers

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Table 1: Descriptive Statistics of the Microclimate Parameters of the Greenhouses
Variable Mean StDev Minimum Median Maximum Mode Skewness Kurtosis
Control 39.33 6.100 21.500 40.500 51.500 43.5 -0.59 -0.24
Temperature 9
Control 57.07 12.91 36.500 53.000 88.500 48.5 0.85 -0.25
Humidity 1 2
Fogging 36.62 4.760 21.500 37.500 47.500 40.5 -0.59 0.04
Temperature 5
Fogging 66.71 12.09 40.000 64.000 93.000 60 0.66 -0.38
Humidity 4 8
Temperature 2.713 3.326 -10.5000 3.0000 14.5000 4 -0.19 2.26
Differences 8 2
Humidity 9.643 7.332 -17.500 10.500 43.000 10.5 0.24 3.18
Differences
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS CONTD

Figure 2: Temperature Profile in the Greenhouses

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS CONTD

Table 2: Results of ANOVA on the Temperature of the Greenhouses

Source DF Adj SS Adj MS F-Value P-Value
Factor 1 8602 8602.15 287.41 0.000
Error 4670 139775 29.93
Total 4671 148377

Table 3: Tukey Comparison of the Greenhouses Temperature

Factor N Mean Grouping
Control Temperature 2336 39.339 A

Fogging Temperature 2336 36.6248 B

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS CONTD

Figure 4: Humidity Profile of the Greenhouses

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS CONTD

Table 4: Results of ANOVA on the Humidity of the Greenhouses

Source DF Adj SS Adj MS F-Value P-Value
Factor 1 108604 108604 693.75 0.000
Error 4670 731070 157
Total 4671 839674

Table 5: Tukey Comparison of the Greenhouses Humidity

Factor N Mean Grouping
Fogging Humidity 2336 66.714 A
Control Humidity 2336 57.071 B
 CONCLUSIONS

i. There was obvious difference in the temperature trend obtained in the greenhouse
installed with fogging system as compared to the greenhouse without fogging
system.
ii. The humidity level of the greenhouse with fogging system consistently increase
due to continuous mists of water in the system while the humidity of the
greenhouse without fogging system keeping low due to its frequently rise in air
temperature within the system.
iii.During the study, it was observed at some points that there was no difference
between the temperature observed in both greenhouses. This occurred due to
continuous rising in solar radiation and in efficient of the extractor to extract
humid air from the greenhouse with fogging installation.
iv. It is noticed that if the framing members of the greenhouse is not properly coated
with anti-rust paint it may get rust fast due to continuous contact with mist.
 RECOMMENDATIONS
i. It is recommended that the water to be used for fogging should be pre-cool to increase its
effectiveness.
ii. The greenhouse should be incorporated with water recycling system for the fogging system in order
to improve water use efficiency.
iii. A study should be carried out to study the effect of fogging on some crop parameters.
iv. It is recommended that an efficient ventilation system that can perform optimally to meet the
greenhouse requirement especially under fogging system should be designed and installed.
v. There should be a proper drainage for the greenhouse where fogging system is used, majorly, a
floored greenhouse.
 THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING