Solar Heated Earth Contact Pig Nursery

Posted in: Energy by admin on January 1, 1982 | No Comments

In the spring of 1979, the University of Missouri Agricultural Engineering Department, USDA, USDOE, and eleven farmers initiated a project to demonstrate the use of solar energy in livestock buildings in Missouri.
One of these systems was built on the Leo Himmelberg farm near Glasgow in central Missouri. The system was completed in March 1980 and has operated continuously since. The system was designed to collect and store solar energy for use in preheating ventilation air in a nursery building.

An Affordable Solar System For Swine

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A solar system built into a 500 pig nursery building in Hancock county offers promise as a low cost system which can cut the cost of heating swine buildings. For an investment of $4.50 per square foot of solar colector, the farmer is saving about one gallon of LP gas per square foot annually.

Complications From Installing Solar, Geothermal and Heat Exchanger Systems

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The major obective of installing a solar, geothermal or heat exchanger system is to reduce the fuel bill through preheating of the winter ventilation air. It is important that before a preheating system is installed that the recommended levels of insulation in the walls, ceiling, perimeter and foundation be used. The major consideration in selecting a preheating system is the initial cost per crate or nursery pens. Other benefits of a preheating air system include: a more constant air temperature entering the building, less draft problems with preheated air and possibly better air quality in the building for pigs and humans, since a higher air flow may be used if the fuel costs are low. This paper is designed to be helpful in the selection of a preheating system based on the problems of these systems, actual performance data on these systems and owner experience on installation and management of these systems.

Economics of a Swine Manure Anaerobic Digester

Posted in: Energy by admin on January 1, 1981 | No Comments

Solar Swine Systems for Ohio – An Update

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Solar systems vary widely in their cost and performance. Although pork producers are in an ideal position to use solar energy, there is no guarantee a solar system will pay off. You must select the right system for the right application, watch construction costs, operate and maintain it correctly.
Conservation pays, with or without solar technology. Insulation, lower ventilation rates, efficient zone heating and (or) cooling, and temperature and draft control are essential to profitable confinement hog production.

Controlled Environment Swine Housing and Energy Conservation

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The merits of controlled environment swine housing in our climates are well accepted. A controlled environment facility requires three interrelated components:
1) insulated building
2) ventilation system
3) supplementary heat
In each of these there are specific areas in which improvements in general practice will help to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. This article examines the above three components in detail using diagrams, tables and practical examples.

Saving Energy in Swine Buildings

Posted in: Energy by admin on January 1, 1980 | No Comments

There are many ways to save energy in a swine building and it’s important to consider all of them. Usually the ventilation system will offer the biggest and most economical opportunity for saving fuel. While trying to cut energy costs don’t forget that the ultimate goals are comfort for the hogs and profits for the swine producers.

Waste Heat Recovery in Piggeries

Posted in: Energy by admin on January 1, 1979 | No Comments

The report describes the construction of a heat exchanger using relatively inexpensive and corrosion resistant materials. Computer simulation of the heat exchanger performance in a typical pig finishing house is also described. Laboratory experiments on the heat exchangers’ performance indicated an effectiveness in the order of 40%. The computer simulation uses this value, hourly weather data for one year and typical data for a finishing house for its calculations. The simulation calculates the reduction in additional feed costs due to house temperatures below the critical, when a heat exchanger system is incorporated. The paper shows how the value taken for minimum ventilation rate determines the economic viability and need for heat recovery.

The Economics of Heat Recovery Systems for Animal Shelters

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Minimizing Fossil Fuel Usage in Swine Facilities

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The most cost-effective way to conserve fossil fuel is to manage the ventilation system. Recognition of the several purposes of ventilation with controls to accommodate these functions, promotes good management and reduces fuel usage. Conservation equipment and renewable energy sources require additional expenditure, thus reducing cost effectiveness.