A CFD approach to assess the effects of different opening combinations in poultry houses

Uma abordagem em DFC para avaliar os efeitos das diferentes combinações de abertura em aviários

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to use computational fluids dynamics (CFD) to evaluate hygiene and comfort conditions in function of temperature level and ammonia (NH₃) concentration during the night in commercial poultry houses used in Brazil and countries with tropical and subtropical climates. Four models with different curtain heights and different air inlet and outlet positions were used, adopting the open building typology without thermal insulation. The validated CFD model did not present statistical differences from the experimental data, making it possible to use this model to predict the behavior in the four proposed cases. This model can be used to improve the internal conditions of the poultry facilities during the night and could be an important tool to reduce energy consumption and generate better conditions for animal production of chicks over 21 days old.

Key words:
natural ventilation; ammonia concentration; computational simulation