Variable-speed exhaust fans for meat chicken sheds

Abstract

Mechanically ventilated meat chicken sheds use electrically powered exhaust fans to control the in-shed environment. Studies have shown that one of the biggest on-farm expenses is the power consumed by the exhaust fans (McGahan et al., 2012). With power costs expected to continue rising, it is important to investigate methods and technologies that may reduce the power consumed by these fans. One emerging technology starting to be used by Australian meat chicken growers is direct-drive, variable-speed fans, which are fans that have the ability to operate at a range of different speeds. Variable-speed fans are expected to provide producers with substantial savings on power consumption.
This report builds on previous research funded by AgriFutures Australia into reducing costs from mechanically ventilated meat chicken sheds (Brown, 2015). It describes the underlying theory behind how variable-speed fans work and why they can lead to power savings when used in the correct manner. This report also uses data that was collected during a previous AgriFutures Australia project (Dunlop & Duperouzel, 2014) to estimate real-world costs and savings associated with using different models of variable-speed fans and how they compare with some currently available single-speed fans. This report also describes how the demand for airflow, and consequently power consumption, changes throughout a batch and how using variable-speed fans correctly can lead to considerable savings on energy costs year-round