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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318986
Title: Air velocity distribution in a commercial broiler house

Author
item LUCK, B - Mississippi State University
item DAVIS, J - Mississippi State University
item Purswell, Joseph - Jody
item OLSEN, J - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASABE
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2013
Publication Date: 6/25/2013
Citation: Luck, B.D., Davis, J.D., Purswell, J.L., Olsen, J.W. 2013. Air velocity distribution in a commercial broiler house. ASABE Paper No. ILES12-1339.

Interpretive Summary: Current design recommendations for broiler house ventilation call for a high rate of air exchange in the building that results in a wind chill effect. This wind chill effect has been shown to improve thermal comfort, reduce core body temperature, and improve broiler performance. However, as ventilation rate recommendations have increased in recent years, flow dynamics have changed and become increasingly non-uniform. A large scale anemometry array was developed to measure air speed in a commercial broiler house on a fine sampling grid (approximately 2 ft). Air speed was measured in commercial broiler house with curtain sides. Results showed that fan placement at the end of the house reduced areas with little air movement, and that the inlet area provides the largest contribution to operating pressure and non-uniformity of flow in the house.

Technical Abstract: Increasing air velocity during tunnel ventilation in commercial broiler production facilities improves production efficiency, and many housing design specifications require a minimum air velocity. Air velocities are typically assessed with a hand-held velocity meter at random locations, rather than systematic traverses. Simultaneous measurement of air velocity at multiple locations in the facility would provide a more accurate estimation of mean velocity. Objectives of this study were to develop a multi-point air velocity measurement system and map air velocity in a tunnel ventilated broiler house. An array of hot-bead type anemometers was placed in a commercial broiler production facility measuring 12.9 x 121.9 m with curtain side walls; the house was equipped with ten 121.9 cm exhaust fans. Cross-sectional velocity measurements were taken in increments of 12.19 m starting at 12.19 m from the end wall of the house and ending at 12.19 m away from the exhaust fans; one cross section of the house was tested at a time. The sensors were allowed a 2 min settling time before 5 min of data collection at each location. Air velocities were compiled at 45.7, 106.7, 167.6 and 213.4 cm above the litter. Mean velocities ranged from 1.94 m/s to 3.06 m/s (382 ft/min to 602ft/min) across all cross-sections measured. All location contributions to the ANOVA were significant (P = 0.0185) and regression results showed a quadratic relationship between transverse location and air velocity.