A New Approach to Controlled Natural Ventilation of Livestock Buildings

Abstract

An alternative is considered for substitution of the present mechanically ventilated air-conditioning systems in standard livestock building structures on commercial pig-growing farms in Bulgaria. On the basis of a proposed method of controlled natural ventilation and air conditioning in a stock breeding building, some pig-breeding buildings for piglets and fattened pigs have been restructured. Seasonal studies of temperature and humidity have been conducted. Average statistical values for the air temperature and humidity in the restructured buildings and in the existing building with mechanical ventilation, which is regarded as reference, are presented. In the naturally ventilated building, a more favourable humid environment is maintained, the temperatures being comparable to those in the reference house. The regained heat flows of the heat exchange system have been calculated. A 28.25% degree of heat recovery of the ventilation heat loss can be obtained. The favourable results with the naturally ventilated systems show that this system is a realistic alternative for ventilation in pig-breeding buildings in Bulgaria and its application must be promoted.