Cost-effectiveness analysis of greenhouse dehumidification and integrated pest management using air’s water holding capacity-a case study of the Trella Greenhouse in Taizhou, China

Abstract

Greenhouse technology is becoming an indispensable and feasible solution for modern crop production methods. Technological progress has reduced the impact of severe weather conditions on greenhouse crop yields in high temperature climate. Cooling and dehumidifying are the key to ensure the required temperature and humidity range inside the greenhouse. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the dehumidification technologies used in the agricultural industry. The theoretical and practical aspects of greenhouse cooling technology are shown: working principles, conditions and performance. The primary humidity control method utilized in greenhouses is evaporative cooling by using air’s water holding capacity. According to the experimental results, the quantitative analysis was carried out from the perspective of energy and cost, which demonstrated that the evaporative cooling fan-pad system was also an effective method of greenhouse cooling in humid climate. This work would provide technical support or the optimisation of the energy management of greenhouses in humid climates and recommend the mathematical model in future work.