Belmont Agricorp introduces new climate control technology

Philippines-based poultry and livestock equipment supplier Belmont Agricorp has introduced a new climate control technology to optimise chicken growth while generating power savings of up to 70 percent.

 

The technology involves a combi-tunnel ventilation system designed for regions with heavy daily or seasonal temperature variations. The system takes in fresh air through wall inlets, thus entailing minimum ventilation to remove excess moisture and animal heat.

 

Though it's still in the exploratory stage, the combi-tunnel ventilation is suitable for subtropical and tropical countries like the Philippines, said Belmont marketing manager Tony Magno.

 

The combi-tunnel technology integrates various ventilation principles into a single intelligent system, and ensures optimum conditions for the chickens by letting ventilation depend on the outdoor temperature, humidity and the age of the animals, said Magno.

 

Under a hot weather, fresh air is sucked in through a tunnel opening to create a cooling air current in the house, while air is let out through wall fans/chimneys during cold periods.

 

Gable fans located opposite the tunnel opening with evaporative cooling pads create a cooling air current in the longitudinal direction of the house, leading to a cooling effect of 10-25 degrees Celsius, depending on the air humidity.

 

The air outlet is controlled in accordance with the energy-saving exhaust principle that ensures annual power savings of 50-70 percent compared with traditional methods, according to Belmont.

 

At lower outdoor temperatures, air is taken in through wall inlets with control function that improves the quality of air intake at low ventilation requirements. The wall inlets will close at high outdoor temperatures and air is taken in through the tunnel opening at one end of the building.

 

This technology provides efficient and accurate climate control ensuring optimum growth even under frequent and heavy temperatures fluctuations, said Magno.

 

The computer controls the system based on the temperature experienced by the animals, and the system can be supplemented with an emergency opening function that ensures the well-being of the animals in case of a power failure, Magno added.