NUMERICAL MODELING OF GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM APPLIED TO POULTRY HOUSES
EAHE; aviaries; heat transfer; geothermal systems
Broiler chickens must grow at adequate temperature and relative humidity. In the hot seasons of tropical regions, daily temperatures exceeding 30° C are common, causing increased production costs for proper air conditioning. Conventional ventilation and cooling systems can incorporate passive earth pipes to reduce the heat loads of poultry houses. This work aims to design aviary heating/cooling system combining conventional and a geothermal heat exchange with air (Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger - EAHE). The code solves unsteady heat transfer between the air and the soil for daily cycle operation. Numerical predictions determined soil temperature profile during cycle operation and the performance of the system in hot climate conditions in the central-west region of Brazil. Optimal conditions for bird thermal comfort can be achieved at lower costs by combining active and passive air cooling systems. The code can be adjusted to project the combined system in other regions of Brazil, increasing the competitiveness of the country's poultry sector as well as reducing CO2 emissions from the agribusiness sector.