Indoor Environmental Control for Animal Facilities
Description
The scope of the course is to convey the fundamentals of controlling the indoor environment of animal facilities. Psychometrics are used to define the indoor air parameters of interest, energy and mass balance equations describe the interactions between the facility shell, the animal heat losses (i.e., sensible, latent and total) and the indoor environment parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and air velocity. Sensors and automation techniques are analyzed in terms of supporting the control of indoor microenvironment, whereas techniques and technologies for the reduction of GHG resulting from animal facilities are explained.
Learning objectives
Students completing this course will be able to:
- Use energy and mass balance equations to describe the thermal, vapour and CO2 exchanges between an animal facility and the outdoor environment
- Appreciate the significance of building thermal insulation and thermal mass
- Understand the thermal physiology of animals and their reaction under harsh environmental conditions
- Calculate required ventilation rates for all four seasons and select appropriate systems
- Comprehend the importance of cooling systems and their integration in controlling the indoor environment of an animal facility
- Explain the role of integrated Advanced Sensor/Actuator/Control Systems for achieving the appropriate indoor environmental conditions of livestock houses.
- Comprehend the main environmental pollutant emissions from livestock buildings and the main mitigation and adaptation techniques and technologies
| WEEK | Lectures |
| 1ST | Psychrometric chart – (Panagakis) |
| 2ND | Energy and mass balance equations for mechanical ventilation systems – (Panagakis) |
| 3RD | Energy and mass balance equations for natural ventilation systems – (Panagakis) |
| 4TH | Thermal functioning of the facility shell – (Panagakis) |
| 5TH | Animal thermoregulation – (Panagakis) |
| 6TH | Heat stress descriptors – (Panagakis) |
| 7TH | Alleviation of heat stress – (Panagakis) |
| 8TH | Advanced Sensors for Automation in Precision Livestock Farming (Arvanitis/Loukatos) |
| 9TH | Advantages and Disadvantages of Automation Techniques in Precision Livestock Farming (Arvanitis/Loukatos) |
| 10TH | Reduction of GHG and ammonia emissions – (Bartzanas) |
| 11TH | Mitigation and adaptation techniques and technologies in view of climate change (Bartzanas) |
| 12TH | Examples & exercises – (Panagakis) |
| 13TH | Examples & exercises – (Arvanitis/ Bartzanas/Loukatos) |
Assignments – indicative
- Assessment of temperature distribution within a facility wall (Panagakis)
- Evaluation of heat stress risk based on pertaining descriptors (Panagakis)
- Estimation of ventilation rates throughout a year (Panagakis)
- Sensors and Actuator Systems Adjustments for Livestock Premises Regulation of Environmental Factors through Advanced Control Techniques (Arvanitis/Loukatos)
- Estimation of GHG and ammonia emissions in a typical Greek livestock farm (Bartzanas)
Exams, marking and student assessment
Assignments: 70%, Written exam(s): 30%