Application of computational fluid dynamics on a study in swine facilities with mechanical ventilation system

Ventilation systems used in swine facilities deserve to be studied because they directly affect productivity in the pig farming sector. Bearing this in mind the uniformity of air distribution and temperature is essential to animal welfare in this breeding environment. Thus, the purpose of this study...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Sousa Junior, Vilmar Rodrigues de, Sabino, Luana Araújo, Moura, Daniella Jorge de, Nunhez, José Roberto, Sonoda, Lilia Thays, Silva, Alexandre Oliveira, Prada, Ronald Jaimes, Fontoura, Diener Volpin Ribeiro, Seber, Rogério Torres
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2018
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Repository:Scientia Agrícola (Online)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/142943
Online Access:https://revistas.usp.br/sa/article/view/142943
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:CFD
airflow pattern
temperature distribution
Description
Summary:Ventilation systems used in swine facilities deserve to be studied because they directly affect productivity in the pig farming sector. Bearing this in mind the uniformity of air distribution and temperature is essential to animal welfare in this breeding environment. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify whether changes in air entrances and exhaust fan positioning could influence air velocity and temperature distribution. The experimental data were collected in a commercial full-scale sow facility. Validation was carried out by comparing the simulated air temperatures and data measured in the field. These results showed agreement between data with a maximum relative error of approximately 3 %. The real settings showed a gradual increase in the air velocity from the air entrances and dead zones due to the change in airflow direction. There was no difference when the positioning of the exhaust fans was altered or was maintained in the original air entrances. The proposed arrangement with only one air inlet reduced the areas of low air movement as a consequence of the change in flow direction. Furthermore, the variables have the same pattern along the transversal plane. The simulations showed that the position of the air inlets had a higher influence on temperature distribution.