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To predict indoor climate in pig houses, design and management conditions have to be taken into account. Heat loads are high, and vary with live weight and animal production. Ambient air is often supplied directly into the room without preheating. Variable temperature set points are widely used to provide a warmer environment for young than for older pigs. Temperature control is maintained by supplying variable airflow rates, and minimum ventilation is limited by CO2 or humidity control.

StaldVent is a pc program that helps manufacturers, advisors and engineers, to design ventilation and heating systems, including selection of components, for which performance test data are available. Using StaldVent resulting yearly indoor thermal climate, air quality and energy consumption, may be determined for different temperature strategies.

In this paper the heat production algorithms used in StaldVent are discussed. It is illustrated how the room climate and air quality may be simulated over time and how the energy consumption may be analyzed at the design stage for different control strategies. (Download PDF)    (Export to EndNotes)