ASSESSMENT OF THE DEGREE OF INFLUENCE OF UV IRRADIATION ON THE MOISTURE RELEASE OF A SATURATED HYDROGEL

In the field of agriculture, in livestock complexes and greenhouses, during the winter periods of the year, they face the problem of condensation formation and the development of various bacterial forms of life in a humid environment, which leads to a deterioration in microclimatic indicators and a negative impact on personnel and animals. This can be combated by using UV treatment, and the formation of condensation moisture can be reduced by using hydrogel powder. Experimental studies were conducted in the laboratory with a moisture-saturated hydrogel powder, which was exposed to a 25-watt ultraviolet lamp with short-wave radiation of 253.7 nm. For the experiments, a suspension of hydrogel powder weighing 10 g was taken, to which 100 ml of water was added, after active absorption of which, the hydrogel was placed in two different storage areas: zone A – a dark room without active air circulation, at a consecration of ≈ 0 lux (control zone), zone B – a room equipped with a UV lamp without active air circulation. The temperature in the storage areas ranged from 18-21 °C, and the humidity during the experiment was 40-45%. Under the influence of UV rays, the moisture–saturated hydrogel had a higher moisture loss coefficient, after 12 hours, the samples in zone B lost an average of 33.8% of the mass, and the samples in zone A lost 24.5%. After the end of UV radiation exposure in zone B and subsequent storage, a decrease in moisture loss was recorded, in 48 hours the samples in zone A lost 61.3%, and the samples in zone B lost 44.6% of their original mass. Taking into account the revealed changes in the properties of the hydrogel under a UV lamp, it should be concluded that it is undesirable to use it in direct contact with UV rays.