Application of process engineering principles to improve the efficiency of resource use in UK pork production chains

Jackson, P; Guy, J; Sturm, B; Bull, S; Edwards, S

doi:10.13031/aim.20152188947

Application of process engineering principles to improve the efficiency of resource use in UK pork production chains

Lookup NU author(s): Paul Jackson, Dr Jonathan Guy, Dr Barbara Sturm, Professor Steve Bull ORCiD, Emerita Professor Sandra Edwards

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Abstract

This paper discusses the potential for incorporation of human commercial building design modelling into the pig production industry. During the last decades pig building design has relied heavily on building manufacturers rather than regulated standards; this contrasts dramatically with the design of commercial buildings for humans, where great advances have been made in improving standards in terms of ventilation, heating and cooling systems for sustainable buildings. Thus, the aim of this project was to gain a greater understanding ofthe design requirements for sustainable forms of pig housing, and to develop a model which could evaluate different scenarios for ventilation and temperature controls, building facades, location and orientation, building thermal properties, lighting and renewables technologies to improve the welfare of the pig. A model was created using dynamic thermal modelling which takes into account the possibility of future rises in environmental temperature and the effect of this climate change on building performance and pig growth, feed efficiency and welfare in the years 2030, 2050 and 2080. With changes to the location parameters, the model is capable of producing results that could provide guidance on the amendments required to international standards, necessary to provide pig building manufacturers with the tools to deliver high quality environments, capable of coping with future environmental changes while maintaining pig performance and welfare. The model also provides the pig production industry with knowledge of how existing buildings, built to the current standards, will be preforming in the future and what changes can be made to protect the industry from ever increasing costs.