Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis applied to engineering and design of poultry farms

Abstract

The shape of a poultry building and the distribution of its elements (roof, windows distribution, and window opening) influence the velocity and temperature distribution inside the building and therefore the thermal comfort of the broilers. Considering these components, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to analyze the environmental conditions of 3 poultry buildings: tunnel (T), semi-tunnel (ST) and improved semi-tunnel (IST). These three buildings had the same dimensions but differed in the relative position of fans and windows. This study modelled the effect of different configurations of roof (flat or gable roof) and window design (with or without flap plate) on the distribution of temperature, air velocity and Index of Temperature and Velocity (ITV) at animal level (0.20 m above the ground). Simulations were conducted for summer and winter conditions. In summer conditions, configuration IST with gable roof without flap plate had lowest air velocity 0.72±0.27 m/s and average temperature (22.9±0.9ºC) whereas tunnel configuration with gable roof and flap plate had lowest ITV (22.94±1.30ºC on average). In winter conditions, IST configuration with flat roof had lowest average air velocity (0.24 m/s), whereas the highest temperature corresponded to semi-tunnel with gable roof without flap plate of the slot opening (19.35±2.67ºC). Finally, the lowest ITV corresponded to tunnel without flap plate and gable roof configuration (19.14±3.57ºC). According to the CFD simulations, in three configurations the variables analyzed were within the comfort ranges reported for animals inside buildings.