GB2552471A - Agricultural air-circulation system - Google Patents
Agricultural air-circulation system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2552471A GB2552471A GB1612601.3A GB201612601A GB2552471A GB 2552471 A GB2552471 A GB 2552471A GB 201612601 A GB201612601 A GB 201612601A GB 2552471 A GB2552471 A GB 2552471A
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- air
- agricultural
- circulation system
- building
- circulation
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- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 244000144977 poultry Species 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 244000144972 livestock Species 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000000384 rearing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 12
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 10
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000567 combustion gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 3
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 2
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007865 diluting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001473 noxious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- 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
- A01K31/00—Housing birds
- A01K31/18—Chicken coops or houses for baby chicks; Brooders including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring, heating, ventilation
- A01K31/20—Heating arrangements ; Ventilation
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Birds (AREA)
- Ventilation (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention provides an air-circulation system 10 for an agricultural building 11, such as a poultry shed, which is operational only when minimum ventilation fans 8 operable and when a control device 60 identifies that the temperature of the outside air is below a certain threshold temperature. If that temperature is below a certain selected value, the control device 60 initially activates circulation fans 30 contained within an outside mounted, indirect-fired heater 12, and then the control device 60 determines how much fresh air is to be drawn from outside through the heater and back into the building and adjusts apertures 40a, 40b, 40c accordingly. In some embodiments, the heater function may not be operational such that the system simply acts as an air-circulation system. In another embodiment, the heater is operational such that air flowing therethrough is heated. An agricultural building comprising an air-circulation system and a method of ventilating an agricultural building are also disclosed.
Description
(71) Applicant(s):
David James Haydon
Spindle Beams, ROCHFORD, Essex, SS4 1EH, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:
GR 001005495 B US 20160123615 A1
A01K 31/20 (2006.01)
US 4567939 A (58) Field of Search:
INT CLA01K, F24F Other: EPODOC, WPI (72) Inventor(s):
David James Haydon (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Dummett Copp LLP
The Square, Martlesham Heath, IPSWICH, IP5 3SL, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Agricultural air-circulation system
Abstract Title: Air-circulation system for an agricultural building (57) The present invention provides an air-circulation system 10 for an agricultural building 11, such as a poultry shed, which is operational only when minimum ventilation fans 8 operable and when a control device 60 identifies that the temperature of the outside air is below a certain threshold temperature. If that temperature is below a certain selected value, the control device 60 initially activates circulation fans 30 contained within an outside mounted, indirect-fired heater 12, and then the control device 60 determines how much fresh air is to be drawn from outside through the heater and back into the building and adjusts apertures 40a, 40b, 40c accordingly. In some embodiments, the heater function may not be operational such that the system simply acts as an aircirculation system. In another embodiment, the heater is operational such that air flowing therethrough is heated. An agricultural building comprising an air-circulation system and a method of ventilating an agricultural building are also disclosed.
Μ)
oo
UAgricultural Air-circulation System
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an agricultural air-circulation (ventilation) system, an agricultural building including an air-circulation (ventilation) system and a method of circulating air (ventilating) within an agricultural building. In particular, the present invention relates to a poultry building air-circulation (ventilation) system, a poultry building including an air-circulation (ventilation) system and a method of circulating air (ventilating) within a poultry building.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Poultry farms/buildings are required by law to operate with a minimum ventilation fresh air system, forced air extraction devices (typically fans) remove air from with the building, creating a partial vacuum which is then balanced out by the opening of vents allowing fresh air from outside to enter in equal quantities to that being removed by the fans. Such a system is designed to replenish the oxygen used by livestock. In addition, the environment for the rearing of livestock is generally regulated and one requirement is to maintain an optimum temperature for the animals. Oil and/or gas fuelled direct-fired heaters may be provided within the buildings to create a warm internal temperature within the building. Such heaters are efficient in increasing the temperature within the building. However, in such efficient direct-fired heaters, the products of combustion are emitted directly into the building and such contaminants can be harmful to the livestock. The easiest way to minimise the impact of these ‘products of combustion’ is to increase building ventilation, thus diluting the contaminants to an acceptable level. This option unfortunately at the same time removes heat contained within the ventilated air, heat that has only just been added by burning gas/oil.
Since most poultry rearing is operated on a large commercial scale, a forced air system is generally required. However, during very cold weather, the air
-2introduced is very cold, humid and heavy. The management of this cold, damp and heavy air generally includes sophisticated ventilation systems. In any event, even using such a controlled system the management of the ventilation is still difficult to control and the necessary equipment expensive to purchase, install and maintain.
The introduction of such cold, damp, heavy air can easily chill and subsequently kill poultry in large numbers. The newly introduced air quickly falls to the ground where the humidity creates a damp floor covering. This creates a damp, bacteria thriving environment for the livestock to walk/lay which can be hazardous and detrimental to the well being of the animals. Furthermore, due to the volume and mass of this air, it is very hard to manage and/or distribute evenly within the building.
It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building, the agricultural building comprising a minimum ventilation system, the air-circulation system comprising:
airflow inducing means to create an airflow through the air-circulation system;
an extraction duct to extract air from the building and direct the extracted air through the air-circulation system;
an adjustable fresh air inlet to introduce fresh air into the extracted air to create a mixed airflow wherein the fresh air inlet is adjustable to adjust the flow rate of fresh air into the air-circulation system;
an outlet to introduce the mixed airflow into the agricultural building; a control system to monitor the operation of the minimum ventilation system, the control system further comprising an external temperature sensor to
-3monitor the external temperature;
wherein the control system is arranged to activate the agricultural aircirculation system:
on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
Preferably the control system is arranged to supply power (or switch on) the air flow inducing means and/or open the adjustable air inlet:
on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
The external temperature trigger value may be 9 °C and preferably is 7 °C and more preferably is 5 °C.
The fresh air inlet may be adjustable to adjust the flow rate of fresh air into the aircirculation system and the fresh air inlet may comprise an adjustable valve or an adjustable inlet aperture. The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to decrease the flow rate into the air-circulation system as the external temperature decreases. The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system as the external temperature increases.
The control system may comprise a sensor system to monitor one or more parameters of the internal conditions within the building and/or external conditions and outside it, wherein the sensor system may be arranged to operate the agricultural air-circulation system on detection of a trigger value for the monitored parameters. The sensor system may be arranged to operate the agricultural aircirculation system on detection of a trigger value for more than one of the monitored parameters such that the air-circulation system is only operated when a plurality of conditions are met. In particular, the air-circulation system is only activated when the minimum ventilation system is operational and the external temperature is below a set value.
-4Preferably the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system on detection of a trigger value for one or more of the monitored parameters. Preferably the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the airflow inducing means on detection of a trigger value for one or more of the monitored parameters.
Preferably the sensor system monitors an external and/or internal parameter and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system (and/or the airflow inducing means) and/or open the adjustable air inlet on detection of an external and/or internal parameter value above or below (or equal to) a predetermined value and to remove power on detection of an external and/or internal parameter value above or below (or equal to) the (same) predetermined value.
Preferably the sensor system monitors an external and/or internal parameter and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system (and/or the airflow inducing means) on detection of an internal parameter value above or below (or equal to) a first predetermined value and to remove power on detection of an internal parameter value above or below (or equal to) a second value. The first predetermined value may be greater than the second predetermined value. The first predetermined value may be less than the second predetermined value.
The sensor system may monitor the internal pressure within the building.
The sensor system may monitor the external temperature.
The sensor system may activate the air-circulation system upon detection of an internal building pressure value, and/or an external temperature value.
Preferably the sensor system monitors the building’s internal pressure and external temperature and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the heater air-circulation system and also vary the airflow inlet-rate by controlling the
-5size/flow capacity of the inlet-aperture.
Preferably the air-circulation system comprises a circulation fan (or extractor fan) and the fan may be an integral part of a heater.
The outlet may comprise the outlet as provided by the heater.
The building may comprise a minimum ventilation system comprising one or more ventilating devices which may be located on a roof or a wall (or walls) of the building. The ventilating devices may comprise extractor fans each of which may be arranged to extract air from a region of the agricultural building in to the external atmosphere and the ventilating devices may be provided with or without appropriate ducting.
The minimum ventilation system within the building may be arranged to operate on either a continuous or intermittent programmed timer basis. The sensor system may monitor the operation of the minimum ventilation system and the sensor system may be arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system. Preferably (but not exclusively) the supply of power to the air-circulation system on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system is only provided when the external temperature is below the trigger value.
Preferably a sensor system monitors a power supply to the minimum ventilation system and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system on detection of a supply of power to the minimum ventilation system within a predetermined time (preferably 120 seconds), and to remove power within a predetermined time (preferably 300 seconds) from the air-circulation system on detection of a cessation of the supply of power to the minimum ventilation system.
The sensor system may be arranged to activate the air-circulation system on detection of the operation of a minimum ventilation system.
-6Preferably the air-circulation system comprises an indirect heater and more preferably an indirect-fired heater which may be oil fired or gas fired. Preferably the indirect heater is arranged, in use, to be mounted externally of the building which may facilitate easy maintenance and avoid any gas/oil supply lines within the building.
The air-circulation system may be based on a standard existing heater with the inlet and outlet being provided by the existing heater system and with a fresh air inlet being provided.
The air-circulation system may comprise a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be arranged to transfer heat from the indirect heater to the airflow within the air-circulation system
Preferably the circulation air system is arranged to remove air from within the agricultural building through a ducting and may add heat from a heat exchanger and preferably then reintroduces this now heated air back into the agricultural building through a separate ducting.
The fresh air inlet may be located upstream of the heat exchanger.
The fresh air inlet may be located downstream of the heat exchanger. The fresh air inlet may be located downstream to introduce fresh air into the circulated air to produce a mixed airflow.
The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to adjust the flow rate dependent upon the operation of the heater.
The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to decrease (or restrict) the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is not operational and preferably also when the external temperature is decreasing and/or is relatively
-7low and the adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is not operational the external temperature is increasing and/or is relatively high (and relatively near the trigger value).
The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to decrease (or restrict) the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is operational and preferably also when the external temperature is decreasing and/or is relatively low and the adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to increase the flow rate into the aircirculation system when the heater is operational the external temperature is increasing and/or is relatively high (and relatively near the trigger value).
The air-circulation system may comprise a sensor to monitor the temperature of the air being introduced into the building. The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to adjust the flow rate into the air-circulation system dependent upon the sensed temperature of the air being introduced. The adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to decrease (or restrict) the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the sensed temperature of the air being introduced is decreasing and/or is relatively low and the adjustable fresh air inlet may be arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the sensed temperature of the air being introduced is increasing and/or is relatively high (and relatively near the trigger value).
The air-circulation means may comprise power supply means and preferably comprises electric power supply means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an agricultural building comprising:
an agricultural air-circulation system; and a minimum ventilation system;
wherein the agricultural air-circulation system comprises:
an agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building, the
-8agricultural building comprising a minimum ventilation system, the air-circulation system comprising:
airflow inducing means to create an airflow through the air-circulation system;
an extraction duct to extract air from the building and direct the extracted air through the air-circulation system;
an adjustable fresh air inlet to introduce fresh air into the extracted air to create a mixed airflow wherein the fresh air inlet is adjustable to adjust the flow rate of fresh air into the air-circulation system;
an outlet to introduce the mixed airflow into the agricultural building; a control system to monitor the operation of the minimum ventilation system, the control system further comprising an external temperature sensor to monitor the external temperature;
wherein the control system is arranged to activate the agricultural aircirculation system:
on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
Preferably the agricultural building is arranged to contain livestock.
Preferably the agricultural building comprises a poultry (rearing) building.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of ventilating an agricultural building comprising providing:
a minimum ventilation system;
an agricultural air-circulation system mounted externally of the building; airflow inducing means to create an airflow through the air-circulation system;
an extraction duct to extract air from the building and direct the extracted air through the air-circulation system;
an adjustable fresh air inlet to introduce fresh air into the extracted air to produce a mixed airflow;
-9an outlet to introduce the mixed airflow into the agricultural building; a control system to monitor an external temperature, wherein the method comprises activating the air-circulation system: on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic external view of a prior art minimum ventilation system on a roof of a poultry building.
Figure 2 is a schematic cross section of a minimum ventilation system on a roof of a poultry building showing examples of airflows into the building.
Figure 3 is a schematic cross section of another prior art minimum ventilation system on a roof of a poultry building together with direct heaters within the building.
Figure 4 is a schematic cross section of a preferred embodiment of an agricultural ventilation system in accordance with the present invention incorporated within an indirect-fired heater assembly externally mounted.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The aim of the present invention is to provide an air-circulation system for an agricultural building which is only operational (and is automatically activated) when the “minimum ventilation fans” in a poultry shed start up and also when (i.e. in combination with) a control device identifies that the temperature of the outside air is below a certain threshold (trigger) temperature. If that temperature is below a
-10certain selected value, the control device firstly activates circulation fans contained within an outside mounted, indirect-fired heater, and then the control device decides (and adjusts) how much ‘fresh air’ is drawn from outside, through the heater and back into the building by varying an aperture (inlet) within the heater structure. In some embodiments, the heater function may not be operational such that the heater simply acts as an air-circulation system rather than positively heating the air. In other embodiments, the heater function is operational such that the heater also positively heats the air flowing therethrough.
As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, a prior art poultry building 2 (poultry shed) comprises an internal atmosphere and an air supply which must be maintained for the health of the livestock. The temperature of the internal conditions can be maintained and regulated through the use of direct-fired heaters 4 (as shown in Figure 3) located within the building 2. These direct heaters may comprise Radiant Heat gas brooders or forced-air convection heaters which may be propane direct heaters. However, whilst such direct heaters 4 may provide an effective heating method, direct heaters 4 also produce combustion gases or exhaust gases which may be emitted into the internal atmosphere. Such emissions are not desirable and may be hazardous to the livestock.
Furthermore, the exhaust gases or combustion gases also include water which will subsequently be emitted into the internal atmosphere and create a damp atmosphere within the poultry building 2.
The prior art poultry building 2 may include side vents 6 through which fresh air can enter the building 2 to supply fresh air to the livestock. The fans 8 of the minimum ventilation system are often mounted on the roof 2. The extraction fans 8 extract stale air from within the building 2 and also create a flow of air to encourage air to flow into the building 2 through the vents 6. Accordingly, air from the upper region of the building 2 is extracted into the atmosphere which lowers the internal pressure within the building 2 and this lower internal pressure causes the air to flow from the external atmosphere through the vents 6 and replenish the
-11 air within the building 2.
In cold conditions, the air entering the building 2 through the vents 6 will be cold, damp and heavy. As shown in Figure 2 by arrows 9, such air will actually move directly towards the floor of the building 2 where the livestock is located. This will cause the livestock to become cold and for the bedding material on the floor to become damp. The damp bedding material will create unsuitable conditions for the livestock which will be hazardous and detrimental to the health of the poultry. Furthermore, since the air is located adjacent to the floor, this air will not be readily extracted by the extraction fans 8 mounted above floor level. The minimum ventilation system 8 extracts the upper located air which is likely to be warmer and drier than the air located in the lower regions. Accordingly, such a system may encourage stale air to be withheld whilst cold, damp air is introduced.
A poultry building may contain approximately 15 000 to 50 000 birds and the building may be located on a farm having 8, 12 or more such buildings. During the first 10 to 15 days in the life of a bird, the temperature within the building is generally kept to approximately 32 - 33 °C. Accordingly, it is generally very expensive to maintain such temperatures for prolonged periods. Gas/oil fuelled, direct-fired heaters are a good method for providing such heat over this period of time but this produces a lot of water and moisture into the bedding material and this also produces significant amounts of condensation which causes associated problems within the buildings and potentially breathing and poor feathering issues for the livestock. As the birds grow, the oxygen use increases and there is an acceleration in the oxygen depletion, carbon monoxide build up and the accumulation of other noxious gases. Such gases need to be exhausted and replaced with new oxygen supplies.
As shown in Figure 4, a preferred embodiment of an agricultural air-circulation (ventilation) system 10 comprises an externally mounted indirect heater 12. The indirect heater 12 uses a packaged burner/heater 14 to heat a heat exchange mechanism 16 to heat an airflow passing through the heater 14 such that no
-12 exhaust gases 18 or combustion gases or other contaminants are introduced into the airflow whilst it is being heated. The present invention utilises a heater (or may be based on the chassis/construction of an existing heater) although the heating functionality may not be required in some circumstances, as mentioned above. Some embodiments of the present invention use a standard heater to provide the essential functionality since heaters are readily available and manufactured. Such heaters also intrinsically have the main features required for the present invention. This also enables the present invention to be incorporated retrospectively and to enable available heaters to be modified for the function of the present invention. Furthermore, a heater function may provide a more functional version of the present invention.
The agricultural ventilation system 10 includes an extractor duct 20 to extract air from within the building 11.
The air-circulation (ventilation) system 10 comprises extraction means which may be in the form of an extractor fan 30 upstream (or downstream) or the aircirculation system 10 may comprise any other suitable airflow introducing device. The extraction fan 30 is arranged to create an airflow from within the building 11 and through the extraction duct 20 and into the air-circulation/ventilation system
10.
The extracted (cool/stale) air is arranged to be heated by the heat exchange means 16 located within the indirect heater 12. As mentioned above, some embodiments of the air-circulation system do not include the heating functionality and these versions simply create the airflow through the air-circulation system 10 without introducing any heat into the air flow. However, the present invention will be described with reference to the inclusion of a heater 14 and the heating functionality.
The heat exchange means 16 may comprise a heat exchanger 16 which has been heated by the heating system 14 and through which heat is transferred to the cool
-13extracted air. The heat exchanger 16 may comprise a series of plates or similar heat transfer surfaces over which the cold extracted air is arranged to flow. The flow of the cold extracted air over these heat transfer plates causes the cold extracted air to increase in temperature. This air is reintroduced into the building
11.
If the heater is operational then this aims to address the problem of increasing the temperature of the air within the building. However, as it will be appreciated, in some versions and/or situations the heater 14 may not be required or may not be operational and the air-circulation system 10 functions as an air-circulator rather than a combined air-circulator and air-heater.
The present invention does not rely on the package burner-heater operating when the minimum ventilation system 8 starts up. The burner only operates when triggered by separate thermostats (sensors) within the building. The main purpose of the present invention is to purely operate the circulation fans 30 contained within the system as the minimum ventilation begins to operate.
As will be explained below, the air quality within the poultry shed is increased through the use of the present invention. This addresses the problem of oxygen depletion within the poultry shed. In particular, when the minimum ventilation system operates and the external temperature is low then the present invention mixes some of the internal air with the fresh (cold) air and this helps to distribute the new air (oxygen) throughout the poultry shed and reduces the problems with pure fresh cold air being introduced which would immediately fall towards the floor creating problems such as damp and moisture and potential thermal shock to the livestock.
The air-circulation (ventilation) system 10 comprises a fresh air inlet 40a, 40b, 40c in order to improve the quality of the air within the building 11. The fresh air inlet 40a, 40b, 40c provides an airflow entry which is exposed to the external atmosphere 90 and through which fresh air can flow. The fresh air inlet 40a, 40b,
-1440c is arranged to introduce fresh air into the warmed extracted air.
Figure 4 shows three locations for the fresh air inlet as depicted by the three reference numbers 40a, 40b and 40c. It is intended that an air-circulation system would have a single fresh air inlet at one of these locations 40, 40b and 40c only for simplicity, although multiple inlets could be incorporated in more sophisticated versions. The fresh air inlet 40a provides an upstream location whereby fresh air is introduced into the system before the heat exchange means 16 such that the mixed air would be heated. The second possibility provides a fresh air inlet 40b downstream of the heat exchange means 16 such that only the extracted air passes through the heat exchange means 16 for heating. If the heat exchange means 16 is not operational or not even included in the system 10 then these two fresh air inlets 40a, 40b would function in a similar way. The third air inlet 40c provides a fresh air inlet 40c downstream of the fan 30 (and any heat exchange means 16). This fresh air inlet 40c may be immediately adjacent to (or provided on a part of) the outlet 50
The fresh (cold) air is arranged to be mixed with the (warmed) extracted air in order to provide a mixed airflow at a desired temperature for introduction into the agricultural building 11. The fresh air inlet 40a, 40b, 40c comprises a variableflow/capacity vent (pre-set manually or powered and controlled by the sensor system) in order to regulate and set the flow of fresh air into the system 10.
The fresh air is mixed with the (warmed) extracted air to create a new air supply to be introduced into the poultry building 11 through the outlet 50 located on a side wall, end wall, or even entering through the angled roof section of the building 11. In the preferred embodiment, the outlet 50 is located at a raised position spaced from the floor and also at a higher position compared to the extraction duct 20. However, in other embodiments, the relative placements of the extraction duct 20 and the outlet 50 may be arranged differently.
The outlet 50 may incorporate the fresh-air inlet aperture 40c depending on the
-15heater design/model.
As explained above, the air being introduced may be at a slightly cooler temperature than the air temperature within the building 2, 11 and the introduced air may tend to flow downwardly due to this temperature differential. To reduce this possibility, the present invention uses the circulation fan 30 air speed to drive the air far into the building and dissipate evenly.
The agricultural ventilation system 10 comprises a control system 60 which regulates and controls the temperature of the mixed airflow, the mixed ratio of the airflow and also the airflow rate of the mixed airflow being introduced into the building 11.
The control system 60 may include a suitable control mechanism for setting and regulating the temperature of the heater 14 and monitoring the airflow temperature.
In addition, the fresh air inlet 40a, 40b, 40c is adjustable to enable the flow of fresh air to be controlled depending upon the external conditions as monitored by the control system 60.
Similarly, the air extraction means 30 can be controlled/varied to regulate the flow of air out of the building 11. The control means may control the extraction fan 30 in order to increase or decrease the airflow rate out of the building 11 and for propelling the new mixed air into the building 11 to help with the distribution of the new mixed air.
The control system 60 includes a sensor system 62 and 67 to sense parameters associated with the internal building atmosphere 92 and the external conditions. In particular, the sensor system monitors at least one parameter of the internal and/or external conditions within and outside the building 11. The sensor system is arranged to operate the air-circulation (ventilation) system 10 on detection of a
-16trigger value for one or more of the monitored parameters.
The minimum ventilation devices 8 are arranged to forcefully extract air from within the building 11 and this will thereby create a pressure reduction (or negative pressure differential) within the building 11. If this air is not replaced quickly enough then this inevitably causes the pressure differential to rise. This condition suggests that the minimum ventilation system 8 has detected that the internal air needs replacing at a particular rate but the rate of airflow into the building 11 is not sufficient to maintain a suitable volume of air.
Such conditions provide a negative pressure differential and the control system 60 of the present invention calculates and monitors this pressure differential. If the negative pressure differential reaches 10 Pa (the trigger value) then the control system 60 is arranged to activate the air-circulation/ventilation system 10 in order to introduce further air at a controlled rate into the building 11 in order to reduce or control this pressure differential. The trigger value can be set by a user depending upon the optimum conditions required and, for example, the trigger value of the negative pressure differential may be in the region of 10 Pa to 50 Pa.
In an alternative embodiment, the control system 60 may monitor the operation of the minimum ventilation system 8. The minimum ventilation system 8 may have an automatic activation system such that the extractor fans within the minimum ventilation system 8 only operate when the temperature (or another parameter, for example, air quality, oxygen concentration etc.) reaches a particular value.
The control system 60 may include a sensor 62 to detect the activation of the extractor fans of the minimum ventilation 8 and this may simultaneously (or after a timed delay) activate the air-circulation (ventilation) system 10.
Accordingly, the air-circulation (ventilation) system 10 is not permanently activated and powered and is arranged to be activated when the internal/external conditions dictate. This system thereby ensures that the air quality and temperature within
-17 the building 11 is maintained for optimum rearing condition whilst also only activating the system when required to provide a power efficient system.
The control system 60 also includes an activator to automatically activate the aircirculation/ventilation system 10 when the minimum ventilation system is operational which suggests that the air quality needs increasing and the sensed external temperature is below a trigger value (e.g. 5 °C) and this suggests that pure cold fresh air should not be directly introduced. The introduction of such cold air would immediately fall towards the floor creating damp/moisture problems and potentially distressing (shocking) the livestock.
In use, the control system 60 detects that the minimum ventilation system 8 is operational. The external sensor 67 monitors the external temperature of the air and if this external temperature is below 5 °C then this triggers and activates the power supply to the air-circulation system 10. Both of these conditions may need to be met before the air-circulation system 10 is activated.
The control system 60 also adjusts the air flow rate through the inlet 40a, 40b, 40c. For example, the building may be able to accept a greater volume of fresh air without significant heating such that the introduced air will have a high concentration of fresh oxygen. However, if the external temperature is particularly low then the flow rate may be more restricted to prevent the new mixed air being introduced at a very low temperature. The speed of the fan 30 may also be adjustable and linked. For example, if the control system is aware that the new mixed air to be introduced is at a particularly low temperature then the fan rate may be increased to try and help distribute this air better. Alternatively, if temperature differential between the new mixed air and the current air within the building is not too high then the fan 30 may not be required to propel the new mixed air with as much force.
Overall, the control system may monitor and control the fan 30 speed and monitor the external temperature, the activation (or status) of the minimum ventilation
-18system and adjust the air flow rate through the inlet 40a, 40b, 40c. These adjustments enable the air-circulation system 10 to operate automatically and efficiently. The air-circulation 10 system ensures a flow of fresh air when required and this fresh air is distributed through the poultry shed 11.
Indirect heaters are generally not used within poultry buildings since direct heaters are usually more efficient and suffer from less heat loss. However, the present invention simultaneously addresses the problem of oxygen depletion and also the distribution of air entering the building. These problems are all solved through the combination of the above features including the air extraction, indirect heating, reduction in humidity, fresh air introduction and subsequent introduction of the warmed, mixed air with these individual features acting synergistically in a single device or system.
The present invention thereby interlocks the provision of the air-circulation system 10 with the minimum ventilation for a poultry shed 11. The air-circulation system 10 may be provided by an indirect heating system whereby the heating function (and apparatus) may not be required. However, the heating function can be retained and used to provide additional functionality for the air-circulation system 10 of the present invention.
The fan(s) 30 used for circulation the air could be one or more. These fans 30 may have an adjustable or variable flow rate, e.g. variable speed, variable blade pitch, and so on, even incorporating a restrictor valve if required.
The number/air-flow capacity of the minimum ventilation fan(s) may typically vary between farms and the set up of the poultry sheds. For example, farms may only use one fan in the first few days and then start switching in more to increase air/oxygen as the birds grow, depending on weather, time of year, bird capacity, etc. The pressure sensor may trigger the system even if the temperature has not reached the programmed trigger point.
-19ln some embodiments, a second trigger facility could be included to allow the system to activate when the external temperature becomes very elevated, e.g. above 30 degrees. For example, this extra switch on trigger may enable the aircirculation system 10 to operate in order to assist the main ventilation fans 8. One of the biggest losses for poultry farms has always been the summer heat. Time and money has been invested in developing equipment that aims to bring the temperature within the building down to a level that prevents the livestock dying from such overheating.
In some embodiments, the air-circulation system 10 incorporates a mister. Such a mister produces water vapour as a fine cloud. These are widely used in the industry to help with cooling in the summer months, and could also be built into the air-circulation system 10 of the present invention as an integral part and subsequently triggered by a high external temperature. Accordingly, such an embodiment of the present invention would provide an evaporative cooling system. In such an embodiment, an evaporative cooling system is incorporated in which external air from outside the building 11 is passed across and flows over a surface of flowing water. The airflow picks up the moisture and may reduce the air temperature by approximately 6 degrees centigrade. A farm building may have large end-wall extraction fans to pull this humid air from a far end towards them. The air may move at around 120-160 metres per minute (4-6 mph) and acts like a cool breeze.
In further embodiments, the air-circulation system 10 may be arranged to be triggered only when the heaters are not operating. This would prevent gas/fuel being burned and evacuated almost immediately.
In some embodiments, the air-circulation system 10 could set circulation fans 30 to run when a separate mister was activated, without the need for the variable vent 40a, 40b, 40c to be opened.
An internal pressure sensor, possibly linked (or not) to a timer could be used as an
-20alert alarm should fans fail to operate correctly, or fail to shut down.
The fresh-air vent/aperture 40a, 40b, 40c could be manually set, mechanically operated (motorised, solenoid actuation, etc), or rely on pressure differentials (there would be a partial vacuum created by the minimum ventilation fans that could drag open a flap/vane, etc).
Claims (30)
1. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building, the agricultural building comprising a minimum ventilation system, the air-circulation system comprising:
airflow inducing means to create an airflow through the air-circulation system;
an extraction duct to extract air from the building and direct the extracted air through the air-circulation system;
an adjustable fresh air inlet to introduce fresh air into the extracted air to create a mixed airflow wherein the fresh air inlet is adjustable to adjust the flow rate of fresh air into the air-circulation system;
an outlet to introduce the mixed airflow into the agricultural building; a control system to monitor the operation of the minimum ventilation system, the control system further comprising an external temperature sensor to monitor the external temperature;
wherein the control system is arranged to activate the agricultural aircirculation system:
on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
2. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to Claim 1 in which the external temperature trigger value is substantially 5 °C.
3. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the fresh air inlet comprises an adjustable inlet aperture.
4. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to decrease the flow rate into the air-circulation system as the external temperature decreases.
-22
5. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system as the external temperature increases.
6. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the sensor system monitors an external parameter and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the airflow inducing means on detection of an external parameter value below a predetermined value and to remove power on detection of an external parameter value above the same predetermined value.
7. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the sensor system activates the air-circulation system upon detection of an internal building pressure value and an external temperature value.
8. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the sensor system monitors the building’s internal pressure and external temperature and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system and also vary the airflow inlet-rate by controlling the size/flow capacity of the inlet-aperture.
9. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the building comprises a minimum ventilation system comprising one or more ventilating devices which are located on a roof or a wall (or walls) of the building and the ventilating devices comprise extractor fans each of which may be arranged to extract air from a region of the agricultural building in to the external atmosphere.
10. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the minimum ventilation system within the building is arranged to operate on either a continuous or intermittent programmed timer
-23basis.
11. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the sensor system monitors the operation of the minimum ventilation system and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system and only when the external temperature is below the trigger value.
12. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which a sensor system monitors a power supply to the minimum ventilation system and the sensor system is arranged to supply power to the air-circulation system on detection of a supply of power to the minimum ventilation system within a predetermined time and to remove power within a predetermined time from the air-circulation system on detection of a cessation of the supply of power to the minimum ventilation system.
13. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the air-circulation system comprises an indirect heater.
14. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to Claim 13 in which the indirect heater is arranged, in use, to be mounted externally of the building.
15. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the air-circulation system is arranged to remove air from within the agricultural building through a ducting, add heat from a heat exchanger and then reintroduces this now heated air back into the agricultural building through a separate ducting.
16. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to Claim 15 in which the fresh air inlet is located upstream of the heat exchanger.
-2417. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to Claim 15 in which the fresh air inlet is located downstream of the heat exchanger.
18. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any one of claim 15 to 17 in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to adjust the flow rate dependent upon the operation of the heater.
19. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any one of claims 15 to 18 in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to decrease the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is not operational and also when the external temperature decreases and the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is not operational and the external temperature increases.
20. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any one of claim 15 to 19 in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to decrease the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is operational and also when the external temperature decreases and the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the heater is operational the external temperature increases.
21. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any preceding claim in which the air-circulation system comprise a sensor to monitor the temperature of the air being introduced into the building.
22. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to any one of Claim 21 in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to adjust the flow rate into the air-circulation system dependent upon the sensed temperature of the air being introduced.
23. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building according to
-25Claim 21 or Claim 22 in which the adjustable fresh air inlet is arranged to decrease the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the sensed temperature of the air being introduced decreases and the adjustable fresh air inlet arranged to increase the flow rate into the air-circulation system when the sensed temperature of the air being introduced increases.
24. An agricultural building comprising:
an agricultural air-circulation system; and a minimum ventilation system;
wherein the agricultural air-circulation system comprises:
an agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building, the agricultural building comprising a minimum ventilation system, the air-circulation system comprising:
airflow inducing means to create an airflow through the air-circulation system;
an extraction duct to extract air from the building and direct the extracted air through the air-circulation system;
an adjustable fresh air inlet to introduce fresh air into the extracted air to create a mixed airflow wherein the fresh air inlet is adjustable to adjust the flow rate of fresh air into the air-circulation system;
an outlet to introduce the mixed airflow into the agricultural building; a control system to monitor the operation of the minimum ventilation system, the control system further comprising an external temperature sensor to monitor the external temperature;
wherein the control system is arranged to activate the agricultural aircirculation system:
on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
25. An agricultural building according to Claim 24 in which the agricultural building is arranged to contain livestock.
-2626. An agricultural building according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 in which the agricultural building comprises a poultry rearing building.
27. A method of ventilating an agricultural building comprising providing:
5 a minimum ventilation system;
an agricultural air-circulation system mounted externally of the building; airflow inducing means to create an airflow through the air-circulation system;
an extraction duct to extract air from the building and direct the extracted air
10 through the air-circulation system;
an adjustable fresh air inlet to introduce fresh air into the extracted air to produce a mixed airflow;
an outlet to introduce the mixed airflow into the agricultural building; a control system to monitor an external temperature,
15 wherein the method comprises activating the air-circulation system:
on detection of the operation of the minimum ventilation system, and when the external temperature is below a trigger value.
28. An agricultural air-circulation system for an agricultural building substantially
20 as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying
Figures.
29. An agricultural building substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying Figures.
30. A method of ventilating an agricultural building substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying Figures.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1612601.3 Examiner: Mr David McWhirter
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1612601.3A GB2552471A (en) | 2016-07-20 | 2016-07-20 | Agricultural air-circulation system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1612601.3A GB2552471A (en) | 2016-07-20 | 2016-07-20 | Agricultural air-circulation system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201612601D0 GB201612601D0 (en) | 2016-08-31 |
| GB2552471A true GB2552471A (en) | 2018-01-31 |
Family
ID=56890518
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1612601.3A Withdrawn GB2552471A (en) | 2016-07-20 | 2016-07-20 | Agricultural air-circulation system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2552471A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3913292A1 (en) * | 2020-05-19 | 2021-11-24 | Schauer Agrotronic GmbH | Fully roofed stable |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112665235A (en) * | 2020-12-11 | 2021-04-16 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air conditioner fresh air volume control method, device and system |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4567939A (en) * | 1984-02-02 | 1986-02-04 | Dumbeck Robert F | Computer controlled air conditioning systems |
| GR1005495B (en) * | 2005-07-26 | 2007-04-12 | Ιωαννης Μπατσης | Floor air conditioning method for pultry farms -floor for the embodiment of same method |
| US20160123615A1 (en) * | 2014-10-31 | 2016-05-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Economizer having damper modulation |
-
2016
- 2016-07-20 GB GB1612601.3A patent/GB2552471A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4567939A (en) * | 1984-02-02 | 1986-02-04 | Dumbeck Robert F | Computer controlled air conditioning systems |
| GR1005495B (en) * | 2005-07-26 | 2007-04-12 | Ιωαννης Μπατσης | Floor air conditioning method for pultry farms -floor for the embodiment of same method |
| US20160123615A1 (en) * | 2014-10-31 | 2016-05-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Economizer having damper modulation |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3913292A1 (en) * | 2020-05-19 | 2021-11-24 | Schauer Agrotronic GmbH | Fully roofed stable |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201612601D0 (en) | 2016-08-31 |
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