Applicability evaluation of a demand-controlled ventilation system in livestock

The distribution of agricultural and livestock products has been limited owing to the recent rapid population growth and the COVID-19 pandemic; this has led to an increase in the demand for food security. The livestock industry is interested in increasing the growth performance of livestock that has resulted in the need for a mechanical ventilation system that can create a comfortable indoor environment. In this study, the applicability of demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) to energy-efficient mechanical ventilation control in a pigsty was analyzed. To this end, an indoor temperature and CO₂ concentration prediction model was developed, and the indoor environment and energy consumption behavior based on the application of DCV control were analyzed. As a result, when DCV control was applied, the energy consumption was smaller than that of the existing control method; however, when it was controlled in an hourly time step, the increase in indoor temperature was large, and several sections exceeded the maximum temperature. In addition, when it was controlled in 15-min time steps, the increase in indoor temperature and energy consumption decreased; however, it was not energy efficient on days with high-outdoor temperature and pig heat.