Diseño y construcción de una planta deshidratadora de romero automatizada con monitoreo mediante aplicación móvil para la comunidad San José de Gaushi-Riobamba.

Abstract

The objective of this research study was to design and construct an automated rosemary dehydration factory, monitored via mobile application, in the San José de Gaushi-Riobamba community. Previous research focusing on solar dehydrators and local processes was reviewed to determine the best dehydration method for rosemary. Following the provisions of the NTE INEN 2392 standard, the final relative humidity of the product was determined in the dehydration stage. Temperature, LPG and lighting sensors, and LPG heating actuators were used to implement the process. Controllers with both wired and wireless connections were used and an internet network was implemented to establish communication between the devices. The MODBUS TCP/IP communication protocol was used to transfer data on sensor values and dehydrator states and a control panel and a human-machine interface was implemented for interaction with the operator. Monitoring was carried out through a mobile application that visualized the data from the sensors in real time through the use of a database. With the system implemented, dehydration time was reduced by 50%, rosemary capacity per process increased by 320% and a relative humidity of the product was significantly equal to 12%. The process variables were monitored through a local human-machine interface and through the mobile application from any Internet connection point. It was concluded that the automated process, as compared to the manual process, required fewer resources to produce a greater quantity of the product and with a lower percentage of losses. It is recommended to carry out the necessary research and tests to use this system with other types of medicinal plants that are cultivated within the community.