Effect of a Geothermal Heat Pump in Cooling Mode on the Housing Environment and Swine Productivity Traits

Abstract

This study compared the effects of the cooling mode of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system with those of a traditional cooling system (ventilation fans) inside a pig house on the internal house temperature, harmful gas emissions, and the growth performance of the pigs. During the 19-week experimental period, the temperature inside the house connected to the GHP cooling system was significantly lower (p p 3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were also decreased significantly in the GHP-installed pig house (p 2.5) and formaldehyde (p > 0.05). The pigs reared in the GHP-equipped pig house gained significantly more weight (p < 0.05) by the end of the experiment. The GHP cooling system can therefore be implemented as a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source in pig farms for sustainable swine production without adversely affecting the productivity parameters.

Keywords

• geothermal heat pump
• ammonia
• temperature–humidity index
• renewable energy source
• pigs