Abstract

Two sets of 5-year data of both dry bulb temperature (TDB) and relative humidity (RH) for 2003-2007 and 2013-2017 for Ibadan, South West Nigeria were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). The two dimensional (2D) bin data of TDB and RH were compiled using bin sizes of 1°C and 5% for TDB and RH, respectively. The monthly 2D bin data were then analyzed for each set of 5-year data to determine the number of hours in the bins in the comfort zone which covers the TDB and RH ranges of 18 – 30 OC and 30 – 70%, respectively. Also determined were the hours in which appreciable evaporative cooling can occur which covers the TDB and RH ranges of 32 – 45 OC and 0 – 55%, .respectively. The monthly data were then added to have annual 2D bin data for each period. Climate change was evident for the two periods from the number of hours in the comfort zone which were 741.12 hours and 668.49 hours for 2003-2007 and 2013-2017 periods, respectively. The application of dehumidifiers can draw some extra hours into comfort zones in the occupied space and also the number of hours that appreciable evaporative cooling could occur. The study concludes that there is climate change within the period of study. The climatic conditions are favourable for storage and drying of farm produce. The use dehumidifiers are recommended for storage of grains and evaporative cooling for vegetables and fruits for successful agricultural value chain.

Copyright of the paper named above is hereby assigned and transferred to the Nigerian Journal of Applied Science and Innovative Technology published by College of Engineering, Bells University of Technology, Nigeria.