Abstract
The use of smarter temperature control technologies in heating systems can optimize the use of electric power and performance of piglets. Two control technologies of a resistive heating system were assessed in a pig nursery: a PID (proportional, integral, and derivative) controller and a thermostat. The systems were evaluated regarding thermal environment, piglet performance, and use of electric power for 99 days. The heating system with PID controller improved the thermal environment conditions and was significantly (P < 0.001) more efficient in terms of electricity use to produce 1 kg of body weight (2.88 kWh kg−1), specific cost (0.75 R$ kg−1), weight gain (7.3 kg), daily weight gain (0.21 kg day−1), and feed conversion (1.71) than the system with thermostat (3.98 kWh kg−1; 1.03 R$ kg−1; 5.2 kg; 0.15 kg day−1, and 2.62, respectively). The results indicate that the PID-controlled heating system is more efficient in electricity use and provides better conditions for thermal comfort and animal performance than heating with thermostat.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Campos JA et al. (2009) Air quality, thermal environment and performance of swines raised in farrowing with different dimensions. Eng Agríc 29:339–347
Collin A, Vaz M, Dividich JL (2002) Effects of high temperature on body temperature and hormonal adjustments in piglets. Reprod Nutr Dev 42:45–53
EMBRAPA (2015). Available at: <http://www.cnpsa.embrapa.br/> (accessed 01.30.15).
Ferreira DF (2011) Sisvar: a computer statistical analysis system. Ciênc Agrotec 35:1039–1042
Jarvis SB et al. (2008) Effects of weaning age on the behavioural and neuroendocrine development of piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 110:166–118
Johnston LJ et al. (2013) Effects of reduced nocturnal temperature on pig performance and energy consumption in swine nursery rooms. J Anim Sci 91:3429–3435
Laine TM et al. (2008) Risk factors for post-weaning diarrhea on piglet producing farms in Finland. Acta Vet Scand 50:1–11
Le Dividich J (1981) Effects of environmental temperature on the growth rates of early-weaned piglets. Livest Prod Sci 8:75–86
Le Dividich J, Herpin P (1994) Effects of climate conditions on the performance, metabolism and health status of weaned piglets: a review. Livest Prod Sci 38:79–90
Macdonald R (2002) Saving money by maximizing energy use efficiency in swine production. Adv Pork Prod 13:99–105
Moura DJ (1999) Ventilation in pig farming. In: SILVA IJO (ed) Ambience and quality in industrial pig production. FEALQ, Piracicaba, pp. 149–179
Ogata K (2009) Modern Control Engineering p:915
Pandorfi H et al. (2005) Microclimate of creep for piglets submitted to different systems of heating during the winter period. R Bras Eng Agríc 9:99–106
Paredes SP et al. (2012) Analysis of factors to predict piglet body weight at the end of the nursery phase. J Anim Sci 90:3243–3251
Peffer T et al. (2011) How people use thermostats in homes: a review. Build Environ 46:2529–2541
Quiniou N, Massabie P, Granier R (2002). Diurnal variation of ambient temperature around 24 or 28°: influence on performance and feeding behavior of growing pigs. In: swine housing: proceedings of the first international conference (ASAE), Iowa, p. 232–239.
Quiniou N et al. (2000) Effect of diurnally fluctuating high ambient temperatures on performance and feeding behaviour of multiparous lactating sows. Anim Sci 71:571–575
Sarubbi J et al. (2008) Power-saving procedures and animal thermal comfort at a growing/finishing swine production unit. BioEng 2:185–192
Sarubbi J et al. (2010) Electrical energy use in different heating systems for weaned piglets. Eng Agríc 30:1003–1011
Silva IJO, Pandorfi H, Piedade SMS (2005) Use of animal precision production in the behavior evaluation of lactation piglets submitted to different heating systems. R Bras Zootec 34:220–229
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Ethical approval
All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
de Souza Granja Barros, J., Rossi, L.A. & Sartor, K. PID temperature controller in pig nursery: improvements in performance, thermal comfort, and electricity use. Int J Biometeorol 60, 1271–1277 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1122-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1122-7