Design and Development of a Control System for Corn (Zea mays L.) Drying Based on Arduino in a Vertical-Type Dryer

Abstract

This research aims to design and test an automatic control system for a vertical-type corn (Zea mays L.) dryer based on the Arduino Uno microcontroller. The system was developed to simplify the drying process by automatically controlling the temperature and humidity of the drying chamber using a DHT22 sensor to measure air temperature and relative humidity, and a SEN0308 sensor to monitor the moisture content of the corn. Sensor readings were recorded in real time through a data logger module equipped with an RTC and SD card, while relays controlled the solenoid valve and two blowers according to the temperature conditions of the dryer. The experiment was conducted at three drying temperatures 40°C, 50°C, and 60°C using two types of adsorbents: silica gel and activated charcoal. The results showed that the control system maintained stable temperatures close to the setpoints and automatically regulated the operation of the actuators. The drying process stopped when the corn moisture content reached the SNI standard of 13-14%. The designed system effectively controlled temperature and moisture content automatically, making it a reliable model for vertical-type corn dryers based on Arduino technology to improve precision and drying efficiency.