Automated Temperature and Humidity Control System during Transportation

Teoh, Howard Zhe Xuan (2025) Automated Temperature and Humidity Control System during Transportation. Final Year Project (Diploma), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This project focuses on the development of an Automated Temperature and Humidity Control System to address the challenge of spoilage in highly perishable fruits during transportation. Perishable produce such as strawberries, cherries, and kiwifruit are extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in environmental conditions, where deviations in temperature and humidity accelerate enzymatic reactions, microbial growth, and moisture loss, leading to significant economic and quality losses. The objective of this project is to design and implement a cost-effective system capable of maintaining an optimal environment within refrigerated transport units by automatically regulating temperature between 14-16°C and humidity within 64-69% relative humidity. The prototype integrates DHT22 sensors and an ESP32 microcontroller in a closed-loop control system, supported by a cooling module, ultrasonic mist humidifier, circulation fans, relay boards, and a magnetic reed door sensor that detects door opening events and triggers immediate corrective actions. The enclosure was constructed using a three-part design consisting of an outer box, an inner box, and a cover, with polystyrene foam sheets applied to the inner surfaces to provide thermal insulation and reduce heat ingress from the external environment. A fuzzy logic control algorithm was implemented to enable smooth and adaptive responses to environmental disturbances. Cherry tomatoes were used as the test produce to evaluate the effectiveness of the system in reducing moisture loss, with weight measurements recorded at regular intervals throughout the testing period. Results demonstrate that the system successfully stabilised both temperature and humidity within the desired ranges, and weight loss measurements confirmed that the humidity control effectively reduced moisture evaporation from the produce surface. The findings confirm the feasibility of this solution as a practical and scalable tool for small-to-medium enterprises, contributing to improved food quality, reduced waste, and enhanced sustainability in cold chain logistics.