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Trends in US Poultry Housing for Energy Conservation. John W. Worley Associate Professor University of Georgia. Co-authors. Mr. Michael Czarick Biological and Agricultural Engineering University of Georgia Dr. Brian Fairchild Poultry Science University of Georgia. Overview. Background
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Trends in US Poultry Housing for Energy Conservation John W. Worley Associate Professor University of Georgia
Co-authors • Mr. Michael Czarick • Biological and Agricultural Engineering • University of Georgia • Dr. Brian Fairchild • Poultry Science • University of Georgia
Overview • Background • Energy Saving Technologies • Survey Results • Conclusions - Needs
Reasons for regional growth • Low-cost land, labor, and housing • Synergy with cow-calf operations – Restoration of depleted crop lands • Low-cost housing meant: • Natural Ventilation • Cheap construction • Little or no insulation or powered ventilation
Evolution of birds and housing • Improvements in genetics and nutrition • Improvements in buildings • Better buildings necessary for better bird performance
Energy efficiency • Has always been considered • Low historic energy prices • Recent changes • Energy now on “Front Burner”
Objectives • Quantify expected energy savings from eight technologies (per house) • Determine present and projected adoption rate by industry (poll) • Estimate potential energy savings attributable to these technologies (sample and industry-wide)
Energy Saving Technologies • Tunnel Ventilation • Allows greater bird densities and improves bird performance • No energy savings recognized in this report
Energy Saving Technologies • Electronic Controllers • Tighter control of desired temperature • Improved bird environment and performance • No energy savings recognized in this report Exhaust Fans Heaters
Energy Saving Technologies - Gas • House Tightness • Allows control of entering air (winter conditions) • Curtain Flaps – one example of tightening • O.1” static pressure with one 48-inch fan • Projected 15% gas savings
Energy Saving Technologies - Gas • Solid Walls • Reduces leaks and conductive heat flow • Savings depend on size of opening and R-value of solid wall • Can be solid wall on both sides or North side • Projected 15% gas savings
Energy Saving Technologies - Gas • Circulation Fans • Reduces heat stratification • Increases bird comfort while reducing gas consumption • Savings depend on type of heat and management (10 to 30%) • Projected 20% gas savings
Energy Saving Technologies - Gas • Litter Treatments • Reduce pH of litter • Reduces ammonia emissions • Reduces required ventilation during brooding • Projected 20% gas savings
Energy Saving Technologies - Gas • Wider Houses • Reduces exposed wall area per bird • Usually thicker walls (increased R value) • 50 ft wide or wider • Projected 15% gas savings
Energy Saving Technologies - Electricity • High efficiency exhaust fans • Combination of efficient motors and housing • Cone exhaust is indicator of efficiency • Projected 15% savings based on EER improvement from 19 to 22 (Typical range of 16 to 24 for poultry ventilation fans)
Summary of Expected Savings Note: Gas savings are multiplicative, not additive
Survey Results • Sent survey to 20 complexes in GA, SC, and AL • Received 11 replies (all from GA) • Replies represent 806 million broilers per year • 64% of production in Georgia • 9.5% of total US production • 6218 houses (projected 6418 by 2010)
Conclusions • Energy savings is recognized by the industry as important • Technologies have had varying degrees of acceptance • The need for education and further demonstration of technologies still exists • Circulation fans, hi-eff. exhaust fans, and wider housing show the greatest potential for future savings