1. CFD Simulation of Dynamic Temperature Variations Induced by Tunnel Ventilation in a Broiler House.
- Author
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Choi, Lak-yeong, Daniel, Kehinde Favour, Lee, Se-yeon, Lee, Chae-rin, Park, Ji-yeon, Park, Jinseon, and Hong, Se-woon
- Subjects
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TUNNEL ventilation , *COMPUTATIONAL fluid dynamics , *TEMPERATURE distribution , *TEMPERATURE control , *ATMOSPHERIC temperature - Abstract
Simple Summary: Maintaining the optimal temperature in broiler houses, where chickens are raised, is crucial for their health and productivity. However, efficiently managing indoor temperatures is challenging due to the large size of these facilities and varying weather conditions. This study developed and tested a computer model that predicts changes in air temperature inside a broiler house when ventilation systems are adjusted. The model accurately simulated how air movement affects indoor temperatures based on the number of fans operating or stopped. It also accounted for the heat produced by the chickens. The results also showed that adjusting the openings of air inlets can help reduce high temperatures but this can sometimes make the ventilation system less efficient or lead to an uneven temperature distribution. This study confirmed that this approach effectively improves ventilation strategies by comparing the model's predictions with real-life data from broiler houses. This model can assist farmers and engineers in designing better ventilation systems, ensuring better conditions for chickens. Improved conditions will lead to more efficient poultry production, benefiting both the industry and consumers. Maintaining the optimal microclimate in broiler houses is crucial for bird productivity, yet enabling efficient temperature control remains a significant challenge. This study developed and validated a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to predict temporal changes in indoor air temperature in response to variable ventilation operations in a commercial broiler house. The model accurately simulated air velocity and airflow distribution for different numbers of tunnel fans in operation, with air-velocity errors ranging from ā0.22 to 0.32 m sā1. The predicted airflow rates through inlets and cooling pads showed good agreement with measured values with an accuracy of up to 108.1%. Additionally, the CFD model effectively predicted temperature dynamics, accounting for chicken heat production and ventilation effect. The model successfully predicted the longitudinal temperature gradients and their variations during ventilation cycles, validating its reliability through comparison with experimental data. This study also explored different variable inlet configurations to mitigate the temperature gradient. The variable inlet adjustment showed the potential to relieve the high temperatures but may reduce overall ventilation efficiency or intensify temperature gradients, which confirms the importance of optimising ventilation strategies. This CFD model provides a valuable tool for evaluating and improving ventilation systems and contributes to enhanced indoor microclimates and productivity in poultry houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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