Minimizing cold weather energy demand of swine confinement housing

A computer model was developed to predict the thermal and electrical energy required to provide a controlled atmospheric environment for life-cycle swine production. Using short time-interval climatological data recorded in central Iowa, the simulation can estimate the total energy requirements of a swine facility based on building construction, floor type, and environmental management choices. The simulation considers building conduction, solar, and ventilation heat transfers as well as animal heat production. Ventilation is based on temperature control and recommended practice to maintain optimum animal performance;The model was used to predict January energy demands for nursery, finishing, and farrowing buildings having various insulation levels, ventilation rates, and floor types. January was chosen because it is the coldest month in the year and would result in the greatest supplemental heat requirements. Ten years (1964-1973) of 3-hour January weather data were applied to the model to determine the average quanities of supplemental heat and ventilation-fan operational hours. These parameters were converted to primary fuel quantities and summed to obtain an overall energy demand estimate;The results of this study showed that in an environmentally controlled swine building with moderate to good levels of insulation, the heat loss in the ventilation air much exceeds the heat loss through the building envelope. In addition, floor type plays an important role in determining the energy use. Slotted-floor buildings, ventilated at published recommended winter rates, show lower relative humidities than do buildings with solid floors. Increasing relative humidity through a decrease in air exchange would result in lowering total energy use;A commercially operated, fully slotted-floor nursery facility was monitored during the winter to determine the moisture removal rate of the ventilating air. Continuous recordings of the inside and outside air conditions and the airflow rate from the room were used to calculate room moisture production. Third-hour observations, drawn from the population of average hourly moisture production data, were used as dependent variables in the development of multiple regression models predicting room moisture production. A stepwise regression procedure determined the most important independent variables during model development. Resulting regression equations were compared to published moisture production data;The results of this investigation showed that body size and floor surface area with respect to temperature were the two most important parameters in predicting room moisture production. In addition, published moisture production data did not adequately predict the room moisture production observed in this experiment

ECONOMIES OF SIZE OF A COORDINATED BIOREFINERY FEEDSTOCK HARVEST SYSTEM

The objective of this research is to determine the cost to harvest lignocellulosic biomass, such as crop residue and perennial grasses, for use as biorefinery feedstock, and to determine the potential economies of size that might result from a coordinated structure. The estimates show that substantial size economies are possible.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Integrative Investment Appraisal of a Lignocellulosic Biomass-to-Ethanol Industry

While theoretically more efficient than starch-based ethanol production systems, conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol is not without major challenges. A multi-region, multi-period, mixed integer mathematical programming model encompassing alternative feedstocks, feedstock production, delivery, and processing is developed. The model is used to identify key cost components and potential bottlenecks, and to reveal opportunities for reducing costs and prioritizing research. The research objective was to determine for specific regions in Oklahoma the most economical source of lignocellulosic biomass, timing of harvest and storage, inventory management, biorefinery size, and biorefinery location, as well as the breakeven price of ethanol, for a gasification-fermentation process. Given base assumptions, gasification-fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol may be more economical than fermentation of corn grain. However, relative to conventional fermentation processes, gasification-fermentation technology is in its infancy. It remains to be seen if the technology will be technically feasible on a commercial scale.biomass, biorefinery location, ethanol, integrative investment appraisal, logistics, mixed integer programming, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Environmental Consequences of Ethanol from Corn Grain, Ethanol from Lignocellulosic Biomass, and Conventional Gasoline

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 includes a provision designed to double the production and use of ethanol in fuels by 2012, and that beginning in 2013, a minimum of 250 million gallons per year of ethanol be produced from lignocellulosic sources such as corn stover, wheat straw, and switchgrass. This study was conducted to determine the environmental and health consequences of using ethanol as an additive to gasoline. Comparisons are made among conventional gasoline (CG), a blend of 10 percent corn-ethanol and 90 percent CG (E10-corn), and a blend of 10 percent ethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) and 90 CG (E10-LCB).Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Tractor safety on the farm

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-631

Machinery safety on the farm

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-631

Preparing grain bins and flat storages prior to harvest or incoming product storage

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311.Biosystems and Agricultural Engineerin

Living and working safely around power lines

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-631

Bunker silo sizing and management

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311.Biosystems and Agricultural Engineerin

Fire prevention on the farm

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-631