Development of an advanced microclimate controller for naturally ventilated pig building

Abstract

The control of airflow inside a pig building for fattened pigs equipped with an advanced system for controlled natural ventilation is presented in the paper. The influence of wind upon airflow patterns in the building for winter and summer operation modes of the ventilation system is investigated. The investigation was carried out through a scale (1:50) physical model of the livestock building, situated in a device called a “water table”, which allowed simulation of wind blowing of the livestock building through water movement and the observation of the airflow movement within the building. On the basis of the results of the observations, an algorithm for combined control of the ventilation in dependence on the velocity and the direction of wind and temperature of air inside the building was developed. Two modes for implementation of the proposed algorithm are suggested on the basis of an integrated management and control system called MACQU.