Wall jet model for ceiling fan applications in broiler houses

Abstract

A model was developed to predict velocity profiles of radial wall jets produced by ceiling fans and flowing over broiler chickens. Broilers were modeled by balloons with paper cylinders simulating the necks. Wall jet data was recorded for 91.5, 83.8 and 71.1 cm radius fans that were rated at 220, 160, and 108 W, respectively. Each fan was suspended 2.44 m above the floor and operated at four speeds.

Applications of the model include 1) calculation of optimum design specifications for ceiling fan applications in broiler houses and 2) prediction of data for managerial decisions concerning existing ceiling fan applications. Model inputs are the fan radius and the characteristic velocity. The characteristic velocity was defined as the maximum air velocity 30 cm below the blades.

The wall jet model was interfaced with a broiler growth model for heat stressed broilers to simulate summer conditions and to predict the additional weight gain due to the wall jet. Also, the wall jet was developed to predict the air velocity near the litter to aid litter management decisions.

Ceiling fan applications in the southeast, used in conjunction with the summer model, have the potential of increasing summer broiler production by 10% and decreasing fan energy consumption by 8 to 12%. The model may be used to optimize the benefit to the producer.