Abstract
This study compared the effects of the cooling mode of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system with those of a traditional cooling system (ventilation fans) inside a pig house on the internal house temperature, harmful gas emissions, and the growth performance of the pigs. During the 19-week experimental period, the temperature inside the house connected to the GHP cooling system was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of a house with a conventional cooling system. Similarly, the temperature–humidity index (THI) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the GHP cooling system-connected pig house. Furthermore, the concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were also decreased significantly in the GHP-installed pig house (p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in the concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and formaldehyde (p > 0.05). The pigs reared in the GHP-equipped pig house gained significantly more weight (p < 0.05) by the end of the experiment. The GHP cooling system can therefore be implemented as a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source in pig farms for sustainable swine production without adversely affecting the productivity parameters.
Highlights
Energy, as a topic, is gaining attention in the livestock sector because the consumption of energy in the rearing of animals will play a vital role in the future
The pig house was divided into two separate rooms (3 m wide × 8 m long), which were further divided into 10 individual pens for replication (Figure 1)
The ambient temperature inside a pig house is a crucial parameter for pig farming, and variation in this parameter may have a negative impact on pig productivity [17]
Summary
As a topic, is gaining attention in the livestock sector because the consumption of energy in the rearing of animals will play a vital role in the future. According to UN research [1], the world population will reach 9.15 billion by 2050, increasing the demand for food. This will lead to an increase in the consumption of livestock products by 40–80%, compared with the consumption in 2010 [2]. The use of energy in livestock production has gained attention recently because of its harmful impact on the environment [4]. It is time to utilize renewable energy resources which reduce environmental pollution for the maintenance of indoor housing environments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
