Energy-Efficient Humidity Pump System for Poultry Houses

The poultry industry is a major contributor to worldwide food production. Poultry birds are fatally sensitive to humidity and temperature. Therefore, a temperature/humidity control system is principally required for optimum growth of the birds. Conventionally, to regulate temperature/humidity in control sheds, vapor compression air-conditioning systems are used which are not only costly but also consume an enormous amount of primary energy. Alternatively, evaporative cooling pads are also used which increase humidity level inside control sheds results in various fungal diseases. In this regard, this study explores desiccant air-conditioning (DAC) options for climatic conditions of Multan (Pakistan). These systems are operated with thermal energy that could be available via low-grade waste heat and renewable energy options. Such systems would allow the development of poultry houses in off-grid remote areas which eventually support the green smart grid’s philosophy. Two DAC options are studied which are involved in standalone DAC and evaporative cooling (EC) assisted DAC concepts. Psychrometric and thermodynamic analysis with two types of desiccant materials is used in the study (i.e., silica-gel and hydrophilic polymeric-sorbent). The study determined body-weight-gain, feed-conversion-ratio, sensible/latent heat, and temperature-humidity-index of birds. As such, the performance of the proposed systems is investigated for cooling capacity and COP. According to results, the EC-assisted polymeric-sorbent system has resulted feasible in terms of maximum cooling capacity and COP. This system could achieve thermal comfort of birds at THI of less than 30 °C.