Sistema de monitoramento e controle do pH e condutividade elétrica (EC) em cultivo hidropônico do tipo NFT

Abstract

With the increase in food demand, technology is increasingly necessary in its production, through more productive techniques, more precise handling, or even direct use of technology such as the use of sensors and intelligent actuators. In order to fill a need for hydroponic cultivation, this work intends to build a device that monitors and corrects the essential parameters of hydroponic cultivation systems of the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) type to replace the correction workforce. Using commercial components found in the national market, the project uses sensors to monitor the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution still in the reservoir, through data processing in a microcontroller, correction is made with the addition of concentrated nutrient solutions and acids or bases. For the real application of the prototype, a scale greenhouse was built simulating normal operating situations of a hydroponic system, with this it was also possible to perceive limitations and difficulties of this type of application. The validation of the proposed methods took place using devices commonly used in this type of cultivation to compare with the data obtained, the sensing part being not very effective when compared to the correction part, which proved to be quite efficient. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]