Linear Models for the Prediction of Animal Zone Ammonia in a Weaned Piglet Building

Measuring ammonia inside livestock buildings poses many challenges that hinder the incorporation of this variable into environmental control systems. The aim of this study was to measure various microclimate variables inside a weaned piglet building and analyse their interactions with NH3 concentrat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agronomy (Basel) 2021-10, Vol.11 (10), p.1927
Main Authors: Arango, Tamara, Besteiro, Roberto, Ortega, Juan A., Castro, Ángel, Rodríguez, Manuel Ramiro, Fernández, María D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Air temperature
Ammonia
ammonia concentration
Animal welfare
Carbon dioxide
carbon dioxide concentration
Control systems
Correlation
Environmental control
Environmental impact
Farming
Hogs
Humidity
Livestock
Measurement techniques
Microclimate
Regression analysis
Regression models
Relative humidity
Sensors
setpoint temperature
Swine
Transmitters
Velocity
Ventilation
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Summary:Measuring ammonia inside livestock buildings poses many challenges that hinder the incorporation of this variable into environmental control systems. The aim of this study was to measure various microclimate variables inside a weaned piglet building and analyse their interactions with NH3 concentrations for setpoint temperatures of 26 and 25 °C, in order to control NH3 concentrations based on other easily measurable variables. The experimental test was conducted on a conventional farm in Northwest Spain. NH3 concentrations in the animal zone were best correlated with CO2 concentrations in the animal zone (R = 0.91 and R = 0.55) and velocity of air extracted through the fan (R = 0.72 and R = 0.65) for setpoint temperatures of 26 and 25 °C, respectively. Similarly, strong correlations were found with relative humidity in the animal zone and temperature of inlet air. Because NH3 concentration in the animal zone is related to the performance of the ventilation system, strong positive correlations were found between NH3 concentration and temperature of inlet air whereas negative correlations were found between NH3 concentration and ventilation rates. Linear regression models based on CO2 concentrations in the animal zone and temperature of inlet air are recommended, because they provide a good fit for both setpoint temperatures using variables that can be readily measured.
ISSN:2073-4395
2073-4395
DOI:10.3390/agronomy11101927