IE86136B1 - An animal house ventilation system - Google Patents

An animal house ventilation system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
IE86136B1
IE86136B1 IE20090689A IE20090689A IE86136B1 IE 86136 B1 IE86136 B1 IE 86136B1 IE 20090689 A IE20090689 A IE 20090689A IE 20090689 A IE20090689 A IE 20090689A IE 86136 B1 IE86136 B1 IE 86136B1
Authority
IE
Ireland
Prior art keywords
ventilation
fans
chimneys
house
ventilation system
Prior art date
Application number
IE20090689A
Other versions
IE20090689A1 (en
Inventor
Gerard Kellett
Patrick Regan
Original Assignee
Hulley Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hulley Ltd filed Critical Hulley Ltd
Priority to IE20090689A priority Critical patent/IE86136B1/en
Publication of IE20090689A1 publication Critical patent/IE20090689A1/en
Publication of IE86136B1 publication Critical patent/IE86136B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/0047—Air-conditioning, e.g. ventilation, of animal housings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/0047—Air-conditioning, e.g. ventilation, of animal housings
    • A01K1/0058—Construction of air inlets or outlets in roofs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/0047—Air-conditioning, e.g. ventilation, of animal housings
    • A01K1/0064—Construction of air inlets or outlets in walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/0001—Control or safety arrangements for ventilation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/72—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/72—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure
    • F24F11/74—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
    • F24F11/77—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure for controlling air flow rate or air velocity by controlling the speed of ventilators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
    • F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/10—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/20—Humidity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F7/00—Ventilation
    • F24F7/02—Roof ventilation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F7/00—Ventilation
    • F24F7/02—Roof ventilation
    • F24F7/025—Roof ventilation with forced air circulation by means of a built-in ventilator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
    • F24F2110/65—Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
    • F24F2110/70—Carbon dioxide
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/70—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in livestock or poultry
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/70—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in livestock or poultry
    • Y02A40/76—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in livestock or poultry using renewable energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/70—Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/12—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries using renewable energies, e.g. solar water pumping
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/50—Livestock or poultry management

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
  • Ventilation (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Greenhouses (AREA)

Abstract

An animal house ventilation system (1) of the invention comprises a roof (2) having a medium level pitch and vents (3) in walls of the building. The roof (2) supports exhaust chimneys, including some chimneys (4) having both baffles (6) and exhaust fans (7), and chimneys (5) having only baffles (8), without fans. A computer-based controller (10) is linked with sensors including temperature, pressure, ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (C02) sensors, and at its output controls the vents (3), the exhaust fans (7), and the exhaust baffles (6, 8). The controller (10) causes the system (1) to operate as a natural ventilation system utilizing the vents (3) and all of the chimneys (4, 5) in the roof as openings for ventilation until a point is reached where there is not enough air movement through the house under natural conditions to ensure the comfort of the animals. At this stage the fans are started at a low speed and, when this happens, the baffles (8) in the chimneys S (those without fans) are closed by their baffles to ensure that there is no downdraught. The inlet vents (3) can then continue to open and at the same time the fans are gradually increased in speed, and continue to increase in speed after the inlet vents (3) have reached a position of fully open to keep the temperature in the room at the required level. <Figure 4>

Description

The invention relates to ventilation of animal houses.
Natural ventilation systems are known, which operate where there is a steep pitch on the roof of the house and there is an air outlet opening in the ridge of the house for the full length of the house. Air enters the house through openings in the sides of the house and which extend for almost the complete length of the house. This is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Natural ventilation has a low running cost as the electricity consumption is very low, being mainly required to power winch motors operating the inlet and exhaust baffles, which typically move only every few minutes. Also, the control gear is relatively simple. Another advantage is that there is relatively low air movement in the house at low levels of ventilation so less ammonia is moved and animals more comfortable.
Disadvantages of natural ventilation include: - Initial outlay for the building is increased due to the fact that the pitch on the roof is increased in comparison to a fan ventilated system, resulting in a requirement for increased strength of roof construction and supports.
- Complete reliance on outside conditions. Calm and humid summer days can be a problem. Also, there is lack of real control of the conditions inside the house, which can change every few minutes in blustery conditions.
- Poor temperature control in windy and/or cold weather due to size of inlet and exhaust area.
- Requirement to have a minimum distance of at least 5 m between buildings to facilitate air movement.
- Very little can be done to correct problems if they occur due to reliance on ambient conditions.
Mechanical or fan ventilation systems were developed to provide additional control of conditions in houses and to allow the houses to be ventilated to suit the animals at a higher stocking density in warm conditions. The principle of operation is shown in Fig. 3, A fan exhausts air and thus 861 36 -2creates a negative pressure, causing air to be sucked into the room through the inlets and mixed with the existing air in the room. There are many variations on this system but basically all follow this principle. Fig 3(a) shows the general principle of operation and Fig 3(b) shows the air pattern differences between summer and winter.
With mechanical ventilation there is good control of ventilation capacity as there is no reliance on outside conditions, air movement in the rooms can be precisely controlled to suit the condition of the animals.
However, disadvantages of mechanical ventilation include the fact that there is a high operating cost due to energy consumed by the operation of the fans, there can be considerable acoustic noise, and the system is relatively complex.
The invention is directed towards providing an improved ventilation system for animal houses.
Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a ventilation system operable to ventilate an animal house, the system comprising: air inlet vents in walls ofthe animal house, air exhausts having baffles and at least some of which also have fans, the exhausts being animal house chimneys, a controller for operating the inlet vents and the exhausts according to sensed environmental conditions in the house, in which the controller causes the system to operate at any time according to said conditions in either: a natural ventilation mode in which the inlet vents and the exhaust baffles are opened to allow a desired level of natural ventilation without fan operation, or a mechanical ventilation mode in which the inlet vents are opened to a desired level, some exhausts have fans operating and the remainder exhausts do not have fans operating, -3wherein the controller is arranged to switch to the mechanical ventilation mode if it determines, according to sensor inputs, insufficient ventilation while in the natural ventilation mode.
In one embodiment, the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a temperature sensor.
In another embodiment, the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a humidity sensor.
In a further embodiment, the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a pressure sensor within the house.
In one embodiment, the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from, an ammonia sensor within the house.
In another embodiment, the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs fro a carbon dioxide sensor within the house.
In another embodiment, the controller is arranged to trigger the mechanical ventilation mode only after the house internal temperature has surpassed a target temperature by a bandwidth level.
In a further embodiment, the bandwidth level is in the range of 2°C to 8°C.
In one embodiment, the bandwidth level is in the range of 3°C to 6°C.
In another embodiment, the controller is arranged to control fan speed in the mechanical mode so that the temperature does not rise more than 2°C above the target temperature plus the bandwidth level.
In one embodiment, only every alternate chimney in a row of chimneys has a fan. -4In another embodiment, the baffles are flaps in the chimneys.
In a further embodiment, the chimneys are along a ridge of the house.
In another aspect, there is provided an animal house comprising walls and a pitched roof, and a ventilation system as defined above, wherein at least some of the exhaust chimneys are provided in a ridge of the roof.
Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:15 Figs. 1 to 3 are diagrams of prior art arrangement as discussed above; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an animal house incorporating a ventilation system of the invention; Fig. 5 is a flow diagram for a ventilation controller of the system; Figs. 6 to 10 are diagrams illustrating operation of the system of the invention for conditions of, respectively, minimum natural ventilation, medium level natural ventilation, maximum level natural ventilation, low level fan ventilation, and high level fan ventilation; Fig. 11 is a table showing operation and performance and the system over a 24-hour time period; and Fig. 12 is a plot illustrating further aspects of performance of the system.
Referring to Fig. 4 an animal house ventilation system 1 of the invention comprises a roof 2 having a medium level pitch and controlled vents 3 in walls of the building. The roof 2 supports -5in this embodiment seven exhaust chimneys, including four chimneys 4 having both baffles 6 and exhaust fans 7, and three chimneys 5 having only baffles 8 but not having fans. A computerbased controller 10 is linked with sensors including temperature, pressure, ammonia (NH3), and carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors, and at its output controls the vents 3, the exhaust fans 7, and the exhaust baffles 6 and 8.
The ratio between the two types of chimney is dependant on the type of animals in the house. The controller 10 causes the system 1 to operate as a natural ventilation system utilizing the vents 3 and all of the chimneys 4 and 5 in the roof as openings for ventilation until a point is reached where there is not enough air movement through the house under natural conditions to ensure the comfort of the animals. At this stage the fans are started at a low speed and when this happens the baffles in the natural chimneys 5 (those without fans) are closed by their baffles to ensure that there is no downdraught. The inlet vents 3 can then continue to open and at the same time the fan speed is gradually increased, and continues to increase after the inlet vents 3 have reached a position of fully open. This keeps the temperature in the room at the required level.
Referring to Fig. 5, the control logic involves receiving inputs from temperature, humidity, pressure, ammonia, and CO2 sensors. However, in alternative embodiments, only one or some of these may be used. The controller 10 generates control signals for the exhaust outlets with fans, baffles for the exhaust outlets without fans, and air inlets. The input sensors send information to the controller 10 about the environment in the room. This information is compared to the set values programmed in the controller 10 on a continuous basis. If the input information is outside the parameters that have been programmed on the controller 10 then a calculation is performed by the controller 10 and an adjustment is made.
The controller 10 sends signals to all the relevant items, namely: - the air inlet vents 3, - the baffles 8 in the chimneys 5 without fans, - the baffles 6 in the chimneys 4 with fans, - power consumption module, and - the fan control module for the fans 7.
The controller 10 operates the inlet vents 3 to allow more or less air into the house depending on the set parameters and the actual input measurements. The control signals for the baffle control -6motors on the chimneys 4 with fans and the baffle motors on the chimneys 5 without fans are processed through the power consumption module. When the ventilation system 1 is operating as a natural ventilation system then all of the baffle motors operate in parallel. This means that the exhaust is controlled in relation to the position of the inlet controls.
When the situation arises where the natural ventilation has reached the maximum level then the power consumption module changes the process signals to the baffle motors on the chimneys 5 (without fans). The chimneys 5 to be closed when the fans are in operation in order to ensure that there are no downdraughts through these chimneys. The fans 7 start to operate on a minimum operation speed and increase and decrease in speed in accordance to the signals given from the computerised controller 10.
When the fans 7 are operating at minimum and the computerised controller sends the signal for the fans to stop then they are de-activated by the controller 10 and the power consumption module changes the process signals to the baffle motors on the chimneys 5 (without fans) to allow them to open in parallel with the other baffle motors and the system operates in a natural ventilation mode.
In more detail, and referring to Fig. 6, for minimum natural ventilation the fans 7 are off and the vents 3 and the chimneys 4 and 5 are only 20% open. As shown in Fig. 7, for medium level natural ventilation the fans 7 remain off, but the vents 3 and the chimneys 4 and 5 are 50% open. As shown in Fig. 8, for maximum level natural ventilation, the fans 7 remain off and the vents 3 and the chimney baffles 6 and 8 are fully open. It will thus be appreciated that the system 1 provides very comprehensive natural ventilation control. In the situation shown in Fig. 9, the system 1 has switched into mechanical mode, with the fans 7 operating at a low level speed, the vents 3 fully open, the chimney 4 baffles 6 fully open, and the chimney 5 baffles 8 fully closed. The latter setting is to avoid down-draught. Referring to Fig. 10, the system 1 has a high-level mechanical setting in which the fans 7 operate at full speed and the baffles 6 are fully open, the vents 3 are fully open, and the “natural” chimney 5 baffles 8 are fully closed.
It will be appreciated that the system 1 allows a wide range of settings in-between the settings illustrated here, in order to optimise conditions according to the sensor inputs. The table of Fig. 11 gives an example of the effects of condition sensors on operation of the controller 3 0. There is a constant target house temperature of 22°C and the system 1 achieves little deviation from this -Ί over a 24-hour period. There is natural ventilation (fans 7 oft) for the first 12 hours of the 24hour period, and again between hours 17.00 and 00.00. Even when the fans 7 are on, they are not required to operate at high speeds in this example. It will be noted that the ammonia and carbon dioxide readings are normal throughout. However, if these went outside of normal at any stage the controller 10 would while the system is operational under natural ventilation mode cause the fans to operate at a preset speed under an appropriate duty cycle arrangement to ensure increased movement of air through the system, or would alternatively increase fan speed and vent opening levels. In mechanical mode the inlets 3 can not be increased as they are always in fully open position.
In the natural ventilation mode the controller 10 operates a 4°C bandwidth before the fans 7 commence working to commence the mechanical ventilation mode. This means that if the set point for the room is 22°C the vents 3 will be fully open at 26°C. It is only then that the fans commence working. A 4°C bandwidth allows good ventilation conditions and minimum power consumption. Also, during the mechanical mode there is a very narrow bandwidth for the fan speed control so that the temperature will not increase more than 1 or 2°C above 26°C.
Referring to Fig. 12, this plot shows how different bandwidths will cause the ventilation to react. With bandwidth A programmed the ventilation (vertical axis) will move from minimum ventilation to maximum ventilation over a short temperature rise in the house. Bandwidth B will allow the increase in ventilation to take place over a longer temperature rise and bandwidth C will allow an even longer temperature rise. The set temperature in this example is 20.0°C and if a bandwidth A of 4.0°C is programmed 50% ventilation will be reached at 22.0°C and 100% will be reached at 24.0°C. If the set point is at 20.0°C and a bandwidth B of 6.0°C is programmed 50% ventilation will not be reached until 23.0°C and 100% will be reached at 32.0°C. If the set point is set at 20.0°C and a bandwidth C of 8.0°C is programmed 50% ventilation will not be reached until 24.0°C and 100% will be reached at 28.0°C.
It will be appreciated that the system of the invention is economical to run. In preliminary trials power savings ranging from 50% to 85% have been achieved in comparison with a good-quality mechanical system. Fan usage is at a minimum as the fans are only operated above temperatures where natural ventilation can not control the house correctly and on a cycle timer for minimum ventilation. Minimum ventilation rates can be controlled as the fans can be operated on a cycle timer which is user-adjustable to give the correct environment in the house. Airspeed across the -8animals and in the tanks is minimised in cold weather conditions as the system will operate as a natural ventilation system. Also, there is a comparable initial cost to a house with mechanical ventilation as the building pitch is lower than natural ventilation. Another advantage is high flexibility. The starting point for fans is user-adjustable to suit the conditions in the house. If problems arise the system can be adjusted in a multitude of ways to counteract the problems, because ofthe extent of possible relationships between controller inputs and outputs. Also, there is low influence from outside wind conditions in comparison to natural ventilation due to the smaller inlet area and the chimney design.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail within the scope of the claims. For example, it is possible that all of the chimneys have fans, but not all of them are used for the most mechanical mode settings.

Claims (14)

Claims
1. A ventilation system operable to ventilate an animal house, the system comprising: 5 air inlet vents in walls of the animal house, air exhausts having baffles and at least some of which also have fans, the exhausts being animal house chimneys, 10 a controller for operating the inlet vents and the exhausts according to sensed environmental conditions in the house, in which the controller causes the system to operate at any time according to said conditions in either: a natural ventilation mode in which the inlet vents and the exhaust baffles are 15 opened to allow a desired level of natural ventilation without fan operation, or a mechanical ventilation mode in which the inlet vents are opened to a desired level, some exhausts have fans operating, and the remainder exhausts do not have fans operating and have closed baffles to prevent downdraught, wherein the controller is arranged to switch to the mechanical ventilation mode if it determines, according to sensor inputs, insufficient ventilation while in the natural ventilation mode. 25
2. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a temperature sensor.
3. A ventilation system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a humidity sensor.
4. A ventilation system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a pressure sensor within the house. -10 5. A ventilation system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from, an ammonia sensor within the house.
5
6. A ventilation system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller determines a time to switch to mechanical ventilation according to inputs from a carbon dioxide sensor within the house.
7. A ventilation system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller is 10 arranged to trigger the mechanical ventilation mode only after the house internal temperature has surpassed a target temperature by a bandwidth level.
8. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bandwidth level is in the range of 2°C to 8°C,
9. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bandwidth level is in the range of 3°Cto6°C.
10. A ventilation system as claimed in claims 8 or 9, wherein the controller is arranged to 20 control fan speed in the mechanical mode so that the temperature does not rise more than 2. °C above the target temperature plus the bandwidth level.
11. A ventilation system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein only every alternate chimney in a row of chimneys has a fan.
12. A ventilation system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the baffles are flaps in the chimneys.
13. A ventilation system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chimneys are along 30 a ridge of the house.
14. An animal house comprising walls and a pitched roof, and a ventilation system of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein, at least some of the exhaust chimneys are provided in a ridge of
IE20090689A 2008-09-11 2009-09-10 An animal house ventilation system IE86136B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE20090689A IE86136B1 (en) 2008-09-11 2009-09-10 An animal house ventilation system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE20080728 2008-09-11
IE20090689A IE86136B1 (en) 2008-09-11 2009-09-10 An animal house ventilation system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
IE20090689A1 IE20090689A1 (en) 2010-04-14
IE86136B1 true IE86136B1 (en) 2013-02-13

Family

ID=41228107

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IE20090689A IE86136B1 (en) 2008-09-11 2009-09-10 An animal house ventilation system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2463973B (en)
IE (1) IE86136B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITMI20120506A1 (en) * 2012-03-29 2013-09-30 Giorgio Tomaselli METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CONTROL OF THE QUALITY OF AIR IN A CLOSED ENVIRONMENT
GB2501533B (en) * 2012-04-26 2014-03-12 Hydor Ltd A livestock house ventilation system and method
DK178460B1 (en) * 2015-04-28 2016-03-29 Skov As System for regulating the climatic conditions of a building, as well as the method and application.
EP3296653A1 (en) * 2015-05-15 2018-03-21 "Autex" Ltd. System for ventilating rooms and vehicle passenger compartments (variants)
ES2608914B1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2018-01-26 Exafan, S.A. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL INSTALLATION OF AN ANIMAL EXPLOITATION ENVIRONMENT
DE202018105771U1 (en) * 2018-10-09 2018-11-05 Dorian Kugler Supply and / or disposal system for supplying or removing fluids
CN109144151A (en) * 2018-11-01 2019-01-04 隆昌邦得畜牧机械制造有限公司 Environmental control system is given up in livestock-raising field
CN109682011B (en) * 2018-12-27 2021-04-20 维沃移动通信有限公司 Temperature adjusting method and device and terminal equipment
WO2021033147A2 (en) * 2019-08-19 2021-02-25 Mgh Agricultural Technologies Ltd. A system and method for controlling and monitoring ventilation systems for closed animal structures

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4986469B1 (en) * 1990-06-26 1999-08-17 James A Sutton Jr Method of ventilating an animal enclosure in response to temperature
JPH1183099A (en) * 1997-08-29 1999-03-26 Natl House Ind Co Ltd Ventilation system for house
FI110280B (en) * 1999-07-08 2002-12-31 Halton Oy Air conditioning method and air conditioning system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2463973A (en) 2010-04-07
GB0915855D0 (en) 2009-10-14
IE20090689A1 (en) 2010-04-14
GB2463973B (en) 2012-10-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
IE86136B1 (en) An animal house ventilation system
CN102494390B (en) Intelligent air adjusting system, air supply device and intelligent air adjusting method
US9933182B2 (en) System for optimising an environmental parameter of an enclosed space
CN201983401U (en) Variable air volume blowout device
EP1785675B1 (en) Ventilation arrangements
AU2006319439B2 (en) Atmospheric density reference control
WO2016023320A1 (en) Novel fan and air conditioner coordinated control method
US9285135B2 (en) Method for regulating room comfort variables
US20090013703A1 (en) Natural air enery saving temperature assist system for central air conditioning / heating system
JP2006250407A (en) Room temperature control system
JP6610244B2 (en) Control device and agricultural house
KR20120026215A (en) Hybrid Circulation System
JP2007132598A (en) Air-conditioning control system
JP6074651B2 (en) Total heat exchange ventilator
CN202254126U (en) Energy-saving control system of variable air volume air conditioning system end device
KR20180002942A (en) Control System Of Louver Apparatus and Control Method Using the same
JP5858360B2 (en) Cultivation space air conditioning system, control method therefor, and cultivation space air conditioning method
KR200475073Y1 (en) Thermo-hygristat for Mushroom Culture
CN206234975U (en) It is a kind of can on the spot with networking operation and the multi-functional automatic control combination formula air-conditioner of remote hosting
WO2017134913A1 (en) Control device and agricultural greenhouse
CN205481528U (en) Unpowered ventilation system
CN110012737B (en) Intelligent potato control raw material warehouse
JP2016121841A (en) Air conditioning system and plant factory
KR101243368B1 (en) Method for controlling hybrid ventilation system
CN101275577B (en) Oxidized wind machinery room ventilating system and method thereof

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MM4A Patent lapsed