Page 15 - AWA Vol.41-No.2

POULTRY

Understanding Static Pressure Control

in Modern Poultry Barns

chieving the right balance of static pressure in your climate
Acontrol is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity
of poultry. Static pressure is one of the most important factors in
optimizing farm operations, impacting both airflow and environ-
mental conditions within a barn. Whether you’re new to poultry
farming or seeking to improve your existing setup, understanding
how static pressure works and how it integrates with the ventilation
system is essential to farm efficiency.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the role of static pressure, its impact on
building operations, and how advanced control systems, like Prism
Control’s Command III control technology, can optimize environ-
mental conditions for better flock health. Optimizing Baffle Airflow with the Command III Control
What is Static Pressure? System
Static pressure refers to the resistance in a poultry barn’s ventila- Prism Control’s Command III (CIII) control system integrates both
tion system. Fans draw air into the building, while static pressure static pressure control and temperature control to regulate baffle
directs and controls that airflow. You can think of the fans as the positions and optimize airflow. This closed-loop system adjusts the
engine, providing power, the inlets as the steering wheel, guiding baffles in real time, ensuring air is distributed efficiently through-
the airflow where it’s needed, and static pressure is what connects out the barn.
them.
• Static Pressure Control: The baffles adjust based on real-time
If static pressure is too low, air moves too slowly, leading to uneven measurements of static pressure, ensuring that the barn receives
distribution and the fresh air not getting everywhere it is needed. the proper airflow.
Too high, and the airflow becomes turbulent, with fresh air pass-
ing right by where it’s needed. In short, static pressure governs the • Temperature Control: Sensors throughout the barn monitor tem-
amount and movement of air, maintaining an ideal balance of tem- perature, adjusting baffle positions to maintain optimal conditions.
perature, humidity, and airflow for poultry health. If a temperature zone is too warm, baffles open to let in more air,
The Role of Static Pressure in Building Control and if it’s too cold, they close to retain heat.
Static pressure affects the velocity of that air. Low static pressure By combining static pressure and temperature control, Prism
results in slow, inefficient airflow, while high static pressure increas- Control’s CIII system ensures that the barn operates efficiently
es air speed. However, the relationship between static pressure while keeping the flock in a comfortable and healthy environment.
and air velocity is not linear—doubling the static pressure doesn’t Other CIII Baffle Control Features
double the velocity. This principle is essential for balancing system Prism Control’s CIII system also includes several settings to fine-
performance and ensuring that the air circulates effectively without tune baffle movement:
creating excess turbulence or wasting energy. • Direction Delay: Prevents continuous movement of baffles when
Closed-Loop vs. Open-Loop Control Systems switching between open and closed positions. A typical delay is
Control systems are critical for managing static pressure and 2–3 seconds, or up to 5 seconds for larger motors.
airflow. Closed-loop systems continuously monitor real-time data • Minimum Pulse: Defines the shortest duration the system will
(such as static pressure) and make adjustments to fan speeds and attempt to adjust the baffles. This ensures small adjustments are
baffle positions. This provides precise control over the environ- made without overcompensating.
ment, much like adjusting the gas pedal while driving to maintain
• Control Periods: After each adjustment, the system waits a desig-
the desired speed. nated period before making further changes. This prevents unnec-
In contrast, open-loop systems rely on fixed settings or sched- essary movements and minimizes wear on the equipment.
ules, often ignoring real-time conditions. While simpler, open-loop
systems can be inefficient, especially in larger or more complex The system’s design ensures smooth, gradual adjustments rath-
barns, where conditions vary from one area to another. Closed- er than constant movement. Since temperature changes in large
loop systems, however, offer more adaptability and efficiency, mak- barns happen slowly, small “bumps” in baffle position are ideal for
ing them ideal for dynamic farm environments. maintaining stability. Some baffles may take up to 20 minutes to ful-
Static Pressure as a Tool for Optimizing Airflow ly close, and fine-tuning these settings helps optimize performance
without unnecessary wear on the system.
Since poultry barns are often filled with dust and particulates, The Importance of System Balance
measuring airflow directly through velocity sensors can be chal-
lenging. Instead, static pressure is used as a proxy for airflow. By A well-balanced static pressure and baffle control system mini-
measuring static pressure at key points in the system (such as near mizes wear on equipment while providing accurate environmental
the baffles), it’s possible to gauge airflow performance and adjust control. Closed-loop systems like Prism Control’s CIII continuously
baffle positions accordingly. monitor and adjust to changing conditions, reducing the need for
By continuously adjusting the baffles based on static pressure, the manual intervention and improving efficiency, especially in large-
system ensures the right amount of air flows into the barn at the scale operations.
right velocity. This helps maintain even airflow, preventing issues Custom Static Pressure Scenarios
like cold or hot spots, and ensures consistent air quality throughout Many poultry barns are customized with features like staged
the building. baffles, tunnel operations, and various modes designed to meet
The Air Jet and Static Pressure specific needs. These systems might include baffle-seeking mech-
The velocity of the air jet—the stream of air exiting the baffles—is anisms or limits to control baffle movement. Because every barn
directly influenced by static pressure. Low static pressure results is unique, consulting with our Field Service Team can help tailor
in a weak, slow-moving air jet, while high static pressure creates a adjustments to your operation’s requirements, ensuring optimal
more forceful jet. Achieving the right static pressure is essential to performance.
directing the air across the barn without creating turbulence or the By leveraging static pressure control and advanced baffle man-
air dropping too quickly. In cage-free barns or multi-layer systems, agement, you can improve environmental conditions for your flock,
managing the air jet’s drop is particularly crucial to ensure proper enhance efficiency, and minimize maintenance, all while ensuring
air circulation. the longevity of your system. Circle 18 on enquiry card
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