Energy Saving Through Waste Heat Recovery in Poultry Barns

Energy (propane) used to maintain a comfortable environment for flocks is the major cost to the poutry production farmer, and given the increasing and unpredictable cost of propane is a significant economic risk for the poultry farmer. This project will verify proven technology for recovering the Energy in the ventilation air exiting a poultry production barn via an innovative waste heat recovery system. This heat recovery system accomplishes what has not been successfully done before – operating automatically, labor free, clog-free, and corrosion resistant, under conditions involving litter, dust and features, because of the programmed self-cleaning system. The system transfers the waste heat from in the exhaust air from poultry house to pre-heat the fresh air on entering the house. The field testing of the system in broiler houses has shown a 40-50 percent reduction of propane consumption. Successful adoption and implementation requires performance verification, manufacturing protocol process development and development of a business plan.