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It is known that there can be a significant temperature difference between the position of the climate controller sensor (room temperature) and the animal-occupied zone (AOZ) in a pig room. This study explores the advantages of using AOZ temperature in climate control. The objectives were: (1) to evaluate a current climate control system in a practical room with ground channel ventilation for weaned piglets by comparing AOZ and room temperature, and (2) to determine advantages of control of the heating system based on AOZ temperature by a model-based predictive (MBP) controller. Comparison of AOZ and room temperature showed that during the first 10 days of the two experimental batches, AOZ temperature was lower and showed greater fluctuations than room temperature, most likely due to the switching of the heating system (on/off). Animals close to the sensor could disturb the AOZ measurement. This was not the case during colder nights, when animals moved away from the sensor and the measured AOZ temperature was a good indicator of the air temperature around the animals. The data for those periods were suitable for use in this climate control study, but when applying the system in practice the disturbing effect needs to be prevented by better protection of the AOZ sensor. For the second objective, the course of the AOZ temperature was modeled based on data for five nights when the heating switched on and off several times (goodness of fit Rt 2 = 0.77). One of the models was integrated in a simulated MBP controller that uses the model to predict future AOZ temperature; the controller switches the heating system on before the AOZ gets too cold and off before it gets too warm. The simulated AOZ temperature was more stable during an 11 h cold period; the standard deviation was reduced from 0.44°C to 0.18°C

This paper is concerned with proportional-integral-plus (PIP) control of ventilation rate in mechanically ventilated agricultural buildings. The PIP controller can be interpreted as a logical extension of conventional proportional-integral/proportional-integral-derivative (PI/PID) controllers, but with inherent model-based predictive control action. In particular, the paper considers the design of an optimal, scheduled gain PIP algorithm for a 22 m3 forced ventilation test chamber at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Such a PIP approach proves more robust to pressure disturbances than an equivalent PID design and constitutes a preliminary step towards the development of the complete micro-climate controller.

This paper is concerned with Proportional-Integral-Plus (PIP) control of ventilation rate in mechanically ventilated agricultural buildings. In particular, it develops a unique fan and throttling valve control system for a 22m3 test chamber, representing a section of a livestock building or glasshouse, at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Here, the throttling valve is employed to restrict airflow at the outlet, so generating a higher static pressure difference over the control fan. In contrast with previous approaches, however, the throttling valve is directly employed as a second control actuator, utilising airflow from either the axial fan or natural ventilation. The new combined fan/valve configuration is compared with a commercially available PID-based controller and a previously developed scheduled PIP design, yielding a reduction in power consumption in both cases of up to 45%.

This paper is concerned with Proportional-Integral-Plus (PIP) control of ventilation rate in mechanically ventilated agricultural buildings. In particular, it develops a unique fan and throttling valve control system for a 22m3 test chamber, representing a section of a livestock building or glasshouse, at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Here, the throttling valve is employed to restrict airflow at the outlet, so generating a higher static pressure difference over the control fan. In contrast with previous approaches, however, the throttling valve is directly employed as a second control actuator, utilising airflow from either the axial fan or natural ventilation. The new combined fan/valve configuration is compared with a commercially available PID-based controller and a previously developed scheduled PIP design, yielding a reduction in power consumption in both cases of up to 45%.

Work carried out for this paper involves the measurement of ventilation rate through a specially designed (test installation) chamber (2.8m3), with a 45cm diameter fan at either end. Ventilation rate is measured via a unique rotary impeller designed in Leuven. Pressure and temperature are also recorded. The test installation has been designed and built in order to develop and evaluate new control algorithms for regulating the airflow rate, and to study the dynamic influence of pressure changes that act as a disturbance on the ventilation rate generated by the fans. The test installation has been built at the Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Leuven University, Belgium. A series of step input experiments, with varying degrees of disturbance were carried out in order to identify and estimate a transfer function (TF) model of the system using the Simplified Refined Instrumental Variable (SRIV) algorithm. The average control model obtained in this manner is utilised in the development of a Proportional-Integral-Plus (PIP) control system. Finally, Monte Carlo analysis is employed to demonstrate the robustness of the controller over most of the operating regime.

Work carried out for this paper involves the measurement of ventilation rate through a specially designed (test installation) chamber (2.8m3), with a 45cm diameter fan at either end. Ventilation rate is measured via a unique rotary impeller designed in Leuven. Pressure and temperature are also recorded. The test installation has been designed and built in order to develop and evaluate new control algorithms for regulating the airflow rate, and to study the dynamic influence of pressure changes that act as a disturbance on the ventilation rate generated by the fans. The test installation has been built at the Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Leuven University, Belgium. A series of step input experiments, with varying degrees of disturbance were carried out in order to identify and estimate a transfer function (TF) model of the system using the Simplified Refined Instrumental Variable (SRIV) algorithm. The average control model obtained in this manner is utilised in the development of a Proportional-Integral-Plus (PIP) control system. Finally, Monte Carlo analysis is employed to demonstrate the robustness of the controller over most of the operating regime.

De warmte in de uitgaande ventilatielucht kan worden gebruikt om water te verdampen uit mest. Met een simulatiemodel is berekend hoeveel water op deze manier verdampt kan worden.

In een geïntegreerd luchtbehandelingsysteem kunnen technische oplossingen voor de emissieproblematiek (ammoniak, geur) en de mestproblematiek worden gecombineerd. Door ventilatielucht uit de stal intensief in contact te brengen met mest kan water uit de mest verdampen. Daardoor droogt de mest. Het contactoppervlak tussen de mest en de lucht kan worden gecreëerd in een wasser. Het vulmateriaal bepaalt mede de grootte en de vorm van het contactoppervlak in de wasser en daarmee de mate van efficiëntie van de uitwisseling van stoffen tussen de lucht en de mest. In dit onderzoek is alleen het verdampingsproces bestudeerd. Om in te schatten wat de mogelijke verdamping kan zijn en hoe een geïntegreerd luchtbehandelingsysteem eruit zou kunnen zien is een simulatiemodel ontwikkeld

Brief family separations resulting from military training exercises are a common phenomenon in Army communities. Extended separations are less common and therefore little is known about the effects of these separations on Army family members. The impact of a six-month battalion deployment on the families of service members was studied. A series post-sponsored actions to reduce the detrimental effects of the deployment are described: family briefings before the deployment, strong support from the rear detachment and other post resources during the deployment, and an active wives' network.