Dehumidification: Benefits Explained at PCA conference

DryGair, in partnership with the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization, has designed an innovative solution to control both the humidity and the temperature (heating and cooling) inside greenhouses, indoor grow rooms, and agricultural warehouses in an energy efficient manner. The solution offers a way to control climate uniformly utilizing significantly simplified infrastructure compared to the alternatives.

At the recent PCA conference, in Australia, Yanor Yazma, Agronomist and Sales Manager at DryGair Energies Ltd presented the benefits of the Drygair dehumidification.  Yanor concentrated on the benefits of dehumidification for the control of fungal cannabis diseases such as botrytis, powdery mildew and Alternaria alternate, which in recent times have caused product recalls in North America.  Yanor focused on this due to the increased importance dehumidification has on cannabis but also the synergies and benefits to other flower and vegetable greenhouse crops.

Plants are consistently transpiring water into the air and this needs to be expelled from the growing environment.  Drygair can do this and can provide a solution when there is little or no alternative.

‘Often overlooked and misunderstood, humidity is one of the central climatic parameters impacting the growth, quality, and uniformity of plants, alongside temperature and radiation.   Dehumidification is a necessity for every growing operation and proves to be especially important in medical cannabis cultivation, where the plants biology, combined with rising regulatory standards, further increase the need for effective control of humidity. 

Successful dehumidification plays a major role in boosting plant vitality, productivity and disease prevention.  Beyond this, the interplay of humidity with other growth parameters including climate, energy consumption, and uniformity makes dehumidification a powerful tool for growers to leverage a multitude of benefits.

The science behind dehumidification, its centrality in greenhouse climate control, and how to develop a successful dehumidification strategy whose impact is far-reaching and profitable was discussed.’

Below is an extract from a Drygair information PDF.  If you would like the extended version please contact Yanor.

These units are available in New Zealand with one grower in the Waikato recently installing this technology.

 One DryGair dehumidification and heating/cooling unit provides multiple functions:

1. Dehumidification
2. Heating
3. Cooling
4. Air circulation

All functions utilize DryGair's unique air distribution module which creates homogenous climate conditions (temperature and humidity) in different parts of the greenhouse, cultivating uniformity throughout the plants.

The grower only needs to provide: hot/cold water supply, electricity, and a drainage pipe for the extracted water.

How it Works:

DryGair Combined Heating and Cooling Unit operating in Heating mode

The DryGair concept is based on closing the greenhouse, fully spreading the thermal screen (if applicable), and operating the DryGair unit. The unit treats the air, circulating it throughout the crops to create optimal climate conditions for the plants.

Advantages:

1. Lower initial investment on heating/cooling systems
2. One unit with many functions – Dehumidification, heating, cooling, and air circulation
3. Optimal climate conditions where they are needed. The unit delivers the treated air to the tops of plants, where development occurs, in contrast to most alternatives whose point of delivery is at floor level
4. Energy efficiency, stemming from high water extraction per energy consumption (4.5L/ kWh or 1.2G/kWh), working within a closed greenhouse, temperature, and air distribution and circulation throughout the greenhouse
5. Simple, minimized infrastructure, in comparison to alternatives such as extensive systems involving heating pipes and ducts. DryGair means lower maintenance costs and clearer working spaces.
6. Easy integration. The units can be positioned along the aisles, as part of the rows or on the side of the greenhouse and can be hung. The unit can operate stand-alone or connected to the climate control system. It is available in standard, small, and split units.

The combined heating and cooling units are based on the same principles as all of the other DryGair units. The grower enjoys all of the added values of the DryGair concept, such as reduced pesticide use, less working hours, and reusable water.

The Bottom Line:

The ability to control humidity and temperature in a complicated agricultural environment in an energy efficient way is DryGair's unique patent. Controlling both elements with one specially designed unit contributes to optimizing the growing conditions and to improving the financial results (Fast ROI).

For additional information, refer to the operation manual or contact Yanor or one of the DryGair team.

Yanor Yazma 
Agronomist & Sales Manager

DryGair Energies Ltd

T: +972-9-7730980

M: +972-54-6635034

www.drygair.com

Yanor during her presentation at this years PCA confernece at the Gold Coast, Australia

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Article Written/Composed by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower