Reducing the severe consequences of heat stress for boar facilities in Asia
As summer continues to ramp up in some parts of the world and the negative economic impacts of heat stress again becomes a frequent subject of discussion for all ages/types of high-performing pigs. The importance of keeping the boar house adequately cooled is a particular point of discussion. Commercial boar studs all over the world have already for some years been requesting cooling systems in their production facilities. Heat stress of a productive boar will potentially have severe consequences to fertility, which can take up to eight weeks for a boar to recover and for new normal mature sperm to be produced. This inevitably has a significant economic impact on commercial production.
The true cost of evaporative cooling
In climate regions where the relative air humidity in summer is, moderate (i.e. Europe and North America etc.) evaporative cooling systems based on cool-pads are generally sufficient. This concept is still the most common in Asia, as long as it is dimensioned for high velocity and air speed and with the acceptance of reduced efficiency during peak-enthalpy situations. The popularity of evaporative cooling is also due to its rather simple and inexpensive nature. However the concept has its limitation of efficiency in periods with high temperatures and relative humidity (high enthalpy) thus leading us to explore alternative cooling concepts.
The next evolution in climate systems
At Big Dutchman with our sister company Inno+; we have a developed a unique air-conditioning concept with energy-recovery, often integrated with an air-scrubber solution. We call this 4G climate as it is in principle the next evolution in climate systems. The key components of this system are the Triple EEE pre conditioning system that warms air in the cold months integrated with an air to water cooling machine for the warm periods.
4G climate
Air to water cooling
About the cooling machine, we prefer the air-to-water principal as is more energy efficient than the air-to-air principal (AHU) and can be used as a “stand-alone” cooling system for boar and sow houses with a high demand for cooling. For this, 1 kW of electricity for the Cooling Machine can make approx. 2.7 – 3.0 kW Cooling Energy.
The systems consists of the following parts:
- Air/Water cooling machine
- Cold Water buffer tank. Insulated.
- SKID unit with circulation pump + controller.
- Air/water heat exchangers in the incoming air intake.
- Piping between the cooling machine, buffer tank and between buffer tank and the air/water heat exchangers.
Optimal zone
Here is an example of a typical situation in Asia regards from April to October, regards climate conditions beyond the comfort-zone of the boars and a cooling system would be of added benefit. The box is the optimal zone, so it is clear much of the year under normal circumstances the animals are living outside their comfort zone. In some cases, in critical conditions.
Temperature and humidity (by month)
18°C every day – with comfort
The outstanding advantage of this concept is that we provide an incoming air temperature of no more than approx. 18°C every day of the year at an Enthalpy level that is comfortable for the animals. With this optimum temperature for the boars, we do not need to rely on high air speed thus a huge reduction in fan capacity while still providing the boars at least 180m³/h fresh air and adequate oxygen supply and air-exchange.
Cheap does not always mean economic
The expectation is that we will see an increased demand for this type of cooling system in Asia for boar and farrowing houses. The economic advantage of optimized air conditioning should be measured by the performance increase, it is not necessary cheaper (perhaps slightly more expensive) but securing optimal climate conditions in boar houses is one of the essential factors in a large pig production.
For more information about this and other climate concepts for Pig production in Asia. Please fill in the form below or if you would like to speak with one of our cooling experts, contact us on: +31 (0) 77 – 4657360
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