Misting systems for humidifying the air on mushroom farms
Mushrooms firmly occupy their place in the diet of modern man and numerous mushroom farms where mushrooms are grown in special conditions can meet the demand of many customers. One of these mandatory conditions is the relative humidity of the air, which must be maintained and carefully regulated.
Mushroom cultivation is business–profitable, but at the same time it involves certain risks. The fact is that fungi are quite fastidious organisms that need a stable microclimate. In general, they adapt to different climatic conditions, but react poorly to changes in temperature and humidity. Due to the unstable level of humidity in fungi, metabolic processes are disrupted, they grow slowly or even die. And insufficient humidification of the air when growing mushrooms leads to deformation, cracking, drying of the fruit.
The main defects of mushrooms due to improper selection of climatic conditions:
· Growths on the hat due to water hammer
· High carbon dioxide content
· Permanent condensate - poor evaporation
· Excess moisture between the film and the substrate
The main task of mushroom growers is to provide a stable optimal climate in the greenhouse for mushrooms. For example, in the fruiting chamber, it is extremely undesirable to change the climate parameters from the appearance of primordia to the end of the fruiting wave. A sharp change in air temperature, the concentration of carbon dioxide and the level of relative humidity leads to inhibition of the growth of the fungus, up to the complete loss of the whole crop.
To solve these tasks, high-pressure fog generation units equipped with an automatic control system for air humidity and temperature are designed.The pump and controller are moved outside the growing chamber so that the operator can make all settings remotely, and to exclude the negative impact of high humidity on the equipment. They consume a small amount of electricity, while spraying water in the form of a thin aerosol,the necessary moisture.
Tasks solved by fog formation systems when growing mushrooms:
1. Acceleration of mushroom growth by 60%
2. Maintaining a constant microclimate at any time of the year
3. Reduction of the risk of diseases, impeccable appearance of the goods
4. Increasing the productivity of the mycelium
5. Maintaining a constant level of humidity
6. Reduction of water consumption - thanks to automation of the humidification process
7. Abbreviationevegetational period
The main components of high pressure mist generators are:
· nozzles,
· mist pump,
· pipes and fittings,
· valves and dispensers,
· filtration units,
· fasteners, etc. accessories according to the project.
The system is also equipped with controls:controllers, temperature and humidity sensors, timers, remote control, which allows you to automate the process of humidification with the accounting of the assigned data.
Advantages of installing a misting system on mushroom farms:
· Low operating costs due to precise humidity control - saving water and electricity.
· The nozzles are made of stainless steel, equipped with an "anti-drip" valve, which eliminates the undercutting of the system shutdown moments, and prolongs the service life.
· Compared with other methods of climate control, water fog generation systems are much cheaper to use.
· Simple and quick installation, modules assembled on the principle of "DIY", convenient connections.
· Increasing the productivity of the mushroom farm by accelerating the growth of +60% to the harvest and reducing the amount of waste.
· Providing optimal control of work in the mushroom shop thanks to devices such as thermo- and hydrostats and remote control timers.
The misting system is mounted directly into the humidified room, i.e. the smallest mist-aerosol formed by it is fed into the mycelium without being introduced into the ventilation system. At the same time, it is desirable to mount the fog generator in the upper central part of the room (the fog is slightly heavier than air), and independently of the air ducts. When installing several humidifiers, they are mounted evenly throughout the room. The fog flow mixes well with the entire volume of the lighting, without local waterlogging. The volatility of fog droplets gives an additional spreading of moisture through the mushroom chamber
The following factors are taken into account when designing fog formation systems:
§ Type/type of cultivated crop;
§ The area of the farm or greenhouse;
§ Initial temperature and relative humidity in summer and winter periods inside and outside the greenhouse;
§ The multiplicity of air exchange;
§ Required temperature and relative humidity;
§ Individual peculiarities of the greenhouse economy.
The level of humidity is a factor that determines the volume of harvest and the quality of mushrooms. Therefore, it is important to ensure and control the humidity of the air environment with reliable, efficient installations. Taking into account the biological features of mushroom cultivation, the fog formation systems acquire special importance. Thus, a high–pressure humidifier for mushrooms is a necessary element in the arrangement of a successful mushroom farm.