The Important Role of AHU in High-Tech Agriculture in Vietnam

In the context of increasingly developing high-tech agriculture, especially greenhouse farming, indoor farming, and vertical farming models, precise environmental control is a key factor determining success. Air - the basic element of the environment - needs to be scientifically treated and adjusted to optimize growth, improve crop productivity and quality. This is the role of AHU (Air Handling Unit).

What is AHU? Core Role in HVAC System

AHU (Air Handling Unit) is a central air handling device, playing an indispensable role in the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system of modern buildings. Considered the "brain" of the air handling system, AHU performs important functions such as filtering dust and pollutants, heating, cooling, dehumidification, and humidification. After being treated to meet the standards of temperature, humidity and cleanliness, the air will be distributed to the space of use through the duct system. AHU is a core part and is widely used, even in clean room systems.

Why is AHU Especially Important in Modern Cultivation?

Modern cultivation not only depends on land, plant varieties or fertilizers, but also requires a tightly controlled environment for optimal plant growth. The main environmental factors that directly affect crops include temperature, humidity, air quality, air circulation and CO2 concentration.

AHU plays a central role in regulating and maintaining these ideal environmental conditions in a controlled growing space.

Essential Environmental Factors for Crops and Corresponding Applications of AHU:

1. Temperature Control:

   • Importance: Temperature is the most important factor affecting growth and development of plants, from germination, leaf opening, flowering to fruiting. Each crop and growth stage has a different optimal temperature (minimum, optimum, maximum temperature). Temperature affects photosynthesis and crop quality (e.g. cooler temperatures for thicker stems, better roots). Controlling the day-night temperature difference (DIF) and average daily temperature (ADT) also helps regulate crop morphology and timing.
   • How AHUs solve: AHUs are capable of heating or cooling air through Heat Exchanger Coils.
     • Cooling Coil: Uses cold water from the Chiller or direct refrigerant gas (DX Coil) to cool the air.
     • Heating Coil: Uses hot water from the Boiler or resistor to heat the air.
     • The flow of cold/hot water through the coil can be adjusted by a control valve to achieve the desired temperature.
     • The ability to integrate intelligent control systems to manage complex temperature strategies such as DIF or ADT, based on sensor data and agricultural algorithms.
     • AHU Dezenno.MAX offers both water-cooled and DX-cooled units and optional heating resistors, allowing for flexible temperature control.

2. Humidity Control:

   • Importance: Humidity directly affects the qthe process of transpiration of plants (related to VPD - Vapor Pressure Deficit) and the risk of mold and pathogenic bacteria. Too high or too low humidity is not good for plants.
   • How AHU solves: Integrated AHU humidifier (Humidifier) to add moisture when the air is too dry and dehumidifier (Dehumidifier) to remove excess moisture.
     • Humidification methods can be misting, moisture-absorbing pads, and evaporation. AHU Dezenno.MAX offers an option of a steam humidifier.
     • Dehumidification can be based on condensing cooling or using a dehumidifier (such as Rotor technology). The Dezenno.MAX AHU has an optional built-in dehumidifier.
     • Precise humidity control also helps optimize irrigation water.
   • Specialized design: In high humidity environments such as greenhouses, AHUs require corrosion-resistant materials and efficient drainage systems. Dezenno.MAX AHUs feature corrosion-resistant material options and deep, sloped drain pans designed to quickly drain condensate.

3. Air Filtration and Cleanliness:

   • Importance: Air contains dust, pollen, fungal spores, bacteria and other harmful agents. Air filtration helps remove these agents, preventing the spread of disease, and creating a clean environment for healthy plant growth. Especially important in agricultural clean rooms or farms that require high hygiene.
   • How AHU solves this: AHU is equipped with a multi-level Air Filter system.
     • Pre-filter: Removes large dust particles.
     • Bag filter or fine filter: Removes smaller dust particles.
     • HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter: Removes ultra-fine dust particles and microorganisms, necessary for environments requiring high cleanliness.
   • Advantages of Dezenno.MAX: Dezenno.MAX AHU has a filter designed for primary, intermediate, and fine treatment, supporting many different levels of filtration (G, F, HEPA according to EN standards 779, EN 1822). UL certified HEPA filter for high dust holding capacity and low pressure drop. Filter pressure gauge is optional to monitor filter condition.

4. Air Circulation and Flow:

   • Importance: Air circulation helps to evenly distribute temperature, humidity and CO2, minimize local hot/cold spots and prevent dew on leaves.
   • How AHU solves this: The fan (Fan) in the AHU creates the force to circulate air through the processing units and duct system to the used space and to draw in return air. The fan is usually a centrifugal or plug fan.
   • Advantages of Dezenno.MAX: The Dezenno.MAX AHU uses a centrifugal or plug fan (Kruger/Dezenno.MAX/Plenum). The fan is AMCA certified for superior performance. There is an optional variable frequency drive (VFD) to adjust the fan speed, allowing flexible adjustment of air flow. The shock absorber and sound absorption system helps reduce vibration and noise from the fan.

5. Fresh Air and CO2 Supply:

   • Importance: Plants need CO2 for photosynthesis. Adding fresh air from outside or CO2 helps enhancephotosynthesis, promote growth.
   • How AHU solves: AHU has a Mixing Chamber where fresh air from outside is mixed with return air from the occupied space. The damper controls the ratio of fresh air and return air.
   • Advantages of Dezenno.MAX: Dezenno.MAX AHU includes a mixing box/damper with aluminum vanes and airtight gaskets. The mixing box can be used for "cooling" when the outside air conditions are favorable.
   • It is possible to integrate a CO2 sensor system and control CO2 supplementation automatically through the AHU or related components.

(Note on Light: Although light is an extremely important factor for photosynthesis and plant growth, affecting yield and quality, the AHU does not directly control light. The role of the AHU is to process the air in the cultivation space, supplementing the artificial or natural lighting system).

References:

Effects of High Temperature on Crops

Understanding the Impact of High Temperatures on Crop Roots

AHU Dezenno.MAX – The Optimal Solution for Cultivation

Manufactured by DeAir Joint Stock Company – a prestigious unit in Vietnam specializing in providing HVAC equipment, the AHU Dezenno.MAX product line is specially focused on development to meet strict requirements. With outstanding design features and functions, AHU Dezenno.MAX is the superior air treatment solution for modern farming applications:

• High efficiency: Ensures clean air supply, stable temperature and humidity.
• Flexible and Customizable: Modular design and flexible cabinet size changeability make it easy to install, maintain, upgrade and customize capacity, function, size to suit each specific farming project. Designed for customized markets.
• Energy Saving: Applying inverter technology (VSD/VFD) to adjust fan speed and optional heat recovery wheel (Heat Recovery Wheel) to reuse energy from exhaust air, significantly reducing operating costs.
• High durability: Using high quality materials, high strength extruded aluminum frame, anti-corrosion materials, and thermal break design to minimize condensation. Ensure stable operation in the high humidity environment of the greenhouse.
• Smooth operation: Optimized air flow design and use of shock absorbers and sound absorbers.
• Smart Control: Integrated advanced control system, capable of connecting to the BMS (Building Management System). This allows for automation and precise control of environmental parameters according to the specific requirements of the crop.
• Made in Vietnam: Proactive advantages in product customization, quick technical support and dedicated after-sales service from DeAir.

Benefits of using AHU Dezenno.MAX in Agriculture industry:

Investing in AHU Dezenno.MAX brings many practical benefits to growers:

• Optimize productivity and quality: Controlprecise environmental wattage helps plants grow optimally, for high productivity and consistent quality.
• Reduce the risk of disease: Effective filtration systems (especially HEPA filters) and precise humidity control helps prevent the growth and spread of fungi, mold, and bacteria.
• Year-round farming: Maintaining stable environmental conditions allows continuous production, regardless of the outside weather.
• Saving resources: Technologies energy saving (VFD, Heat Recovery) and precise control help reduce electricity costs, water.
• Precise and automatic control: Intelligent control systems reduce dependence on manual labor.

Challenges and Solutions:

The implementation of AHU in farming still faces a number of challenges such as initial investment costs input, energy consumption and technical expertise. However, with the trend of sustainable and high-tech agriculture in Vietnam, the demand for AHU is increasing. DeAir with the AHU Dezenno.MAX product line manufactured in Vietnam can provide customized solutions and timely technical support to help agricultural investors overcome these challenges.

Conclusion

AHU is a core component in building the ideal controlled environment for crops in modern agriculture. By adjusting temperature, humidity, cleanliness and air circulation, AHU helps optimize the growth process, improve productivity and product quality. AHU Dezenno.MAX from DeAir Joint Stock Company, with its outstanding advantages in performance, energy saving, durability and customization, is an effective and reliable air treatment solution, contributing to the sustainable development of the high-tech agriculture industry in Vietnam.

In addition, you can learn more about AHU application in animal husbandry, another agricultural field that also requires environmental control.