Customizing ventilation systems for pigs and hogs
Munters can supply an adequately designed climate control system for any kind of pig/hog buildings in any kind of climate. A breeding house has its own particularities as does gestation houses and buildings for farrowing and finishers. There are also the climatic conditions on site to take into consideration.
Minimum ventilation
In cold climates, wintertime puts up a real challenge for pig/hog farmers. The airflow exchange needs to be tailored to the stocking density of the house and the weight and age of the animals. Sufficient air exchange is needed to ventilate the noxious gases, such as ammonia in the house and remove stale air. At the same time, the air intake should not be directed to drop down directly on the animals and cause disruptive behavior in the herd. It is important that the cold incoming air is mixed with the already heated air inside the building before it descends to the animal zone. This is what we call minimum ventilation. It needs to be sufficient in order to provide enough oxygen in the barn for pigs/hogs and for people working in this environment. Air heaters are necessary during minimum ventilation to balance temperature inside after the intake of cold air.
Maximum ventilation
The opposite is maximum ventilation, which runs during warm periods. On a hot day when ambient temperatures are climbing up to 30oC, animals will be out of their comfort zone. Pigs/hogs are unable to sweat to get rid of body heat and must receive help from increased air velocity rates or a climate system to loose body heat. When really warm conditions occur, air velocity is not enough; it needs to be supplemented with evaporative cooling to lower the air temperature. This can be accomplished with CELdek cooling pads or WDP mist system.
Pit ventilation
Pit ventilation is an important addition to the swine/hog ventilation system as a whole. Where the manure pit is underneath the slatted floors in a pig facility, gases and odors from the pit rise up to the animal zone and cause danger in terms of air quality for both pigs and farm workers. The pit can be ventilated and gases are extracted out of the house by fans before allowed up in the animal zone, thus creating a healthier and cleaner environment.
Cross & Tunnel ventilation
In forced ventilated pig/hog buildings cooling is predominantly achieved by use of evaporative cooling pads, framed by a gutter system and serviced by a water tank and pump. The evaporative process takes place by use of extraction fans usually placed on the wall across from the cooling pads (cross ventilation) or at the gable end of the stable extracting cool air from the pads all along the house (tunnel ventilation). This pad cooling set up can provide up to 10°C reduction depending on the ambient conditions.
The climate components installed in the house are automatically managed by a control unit and by means of a communication system. The farmer can check the climate system in the gestation, farrowing or finisher house directly from his own PC. Modern controller units receive all inputs, process the data and all output signals are sent by the unit with the ability to control and manage several temperature zones and controls ventilation. The device can handle the fogging system and soaking cycles as well as curtains to set temperature. A wind meter sends a signal to the controller when winds are too strong, which in its turn will close the curtains tight.
