Solar-assisted localized ventilation system for poultry brooding

Abstract

This research aims at investigating the efficiency and performance of a solar-assisted localized heating and ventilation system for chicken brooding in a prototype of 16-pens poultry house. Numerical 3-D simulations were carried out in order to model the heated space where a convective unit is employed to deliver the heating needs as well as fresh air requirement that maintain Ammonia (NH3) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentrations at the micro environment of the chicken below 25 ppm and 2500 ppm, respectively, in accordance with published standards. The system performance was analyzed and compared to a conventional fuel-based fully mixed heating and ventilation system. The results show that the localized system has saved 74% of the energy demanded in the conventional fully mixed system. Moreover, a solar system that relies on parabolic concentrators has been able to cover 84% of the load required for a winter flock of six-weeks. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.