Thermal performance of aviary located in the semiarid region of Pernambuco based on computer simulation

Abstract

For studies of thermal performance, computational modeling has been presented as an important decision-making tool to solve complex and everyday problems in poultry production and research. Thus, the present study aimed to validate computational models developed using the EnergyPlus software package and, based on these, evaluate the thermal performance of a poultry house with different types of tiles (thermoacoustic, ceramic, fiber-cement, and metal). The research consisted of two stages: an experimental phase and another phase in which the climatic conditions in four aviary models are numerically simulated, considering different types of tiles. The experimental phase was conducted in two climate seasons, winter (2019) and summer (2020), where air temperature and relative air humidity data were measured and recorded using six HOBO model H12 data loggers distributed inside an aviary located in the semiarid region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. For the computer simulation, a virtual model of the house was developed using the OpenStudio graphical user interface in Sketchup, and the thermal performance was calculated using the EnergyPlus software package. The models were validated, showing a strong correlation between the experimental and simulated data, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) values greater than 0.95. The simulations demonstrated the influence of the roof tiles on the thermal performance of the evaluated building. For the climatic conditions of the semiarid region of the Pernambuco state, thermoacoustic roof tiles presented the best thermal performance, followed by ceramic, fiber-cement, and metal roof tiles.

Enthalpy as a thermal comfort index in broiler poultry production

“…As Brito (2020) asserted, there is no universally standardized project model intended for the environmental comfort of animals that can be applied across all locations, due to the varying climatic conditions in different regions. Gonçalves et al (2022) asserted that a building's roof serves as the primary shield against direct sunlight exposure. Therefore, it is crucial to employ a range of techniques that furnish the poultry building with an appropriate microenvironment for the birds.…”

Development, Validation, and Application of Building Energy Simulation Models for Livestock Houses: A Systematic Review

“…For example, Mikovits et al [50] evaluated the pig heat stress in Central Europe between 1981 and 2017, while Schauberger et al [51] extended this evaluation in a projection to 2030. Gonçalves et al [52] evaluated the possible heat stress risk considering different types of roof tiles. Other works adopt BES models for improving different control strategies, as performed by Shin et al [53] through weather forecasting data, or by Lambert et al [54] with a focus on humidity control.…”

“…Developed for generic livestock houses, the last two mentioned works are the only ones that encompass both mechanical and natural ventilation, while almost the totality of the others is focused on mechanically ventilated livestock houses. The sole exceptions are the works of Lee et al [59], Gonçalves et al [52], Nguyen-Ky and Pentillä [60], Omar et al [56], and Wang and Xue [48], which are focused on naturally ventilated livestock houses. This preponderant focus on mechanically ventilated livestock houses could be due to two reasons.…”

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