Optimizing Tunnel Ventilation Systems for Summer Conditions

Abstract

Tunnel ventilation is a popular choice for livestock housing systems as it allows producers to elevate the wind speed across the animals to increase heat dissipation during summer conditions. Recent work with tunnel-ventilated facilities has shown that at maximum ventilation stage the building static pressure (SP) often exceeds 0.12 inches of H2O. The effects of reducing SP on electrical consumption and ventilation performance were investigated. Decreasing SP of the tunnel-ventilated barn increased the overall ventilation rate, increased air velocity within the barn, and decreased the temperature rise along the length of the barn. From May to September, maintaining a SP between 0.04 and 0.08 inches of water column (W.C. or H2O) showed a potential energy savings of $300 to$570 for an 1800-sow gestation barn. Properly sizing and managing air inlets for summer ventilation is an inexpensive and quick modification that can better alleviate heat stress and reduce electrical consumption.</p