Floating Pit Ventilation Gate for Hog Barn Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hog confinement buildings face issues with air turbulence and the return of noxious gases from manure pits due to conventional ventilation systems, which can be harmful to animals and increase energy costs through over-ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with a sliding gate that floats on the manure surface, allowing air to be pulled from adjacent the manure surface for expulsion by a fan, minimizing turbulence and eliminating the rise of noxious gases through the slatted floor, and can be retrofitted or installed in new buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fans pull air from immediately below the slatted floor, then ventilation is provided, but air turbulence is created and noxious gases rise through the slatted floor
Solution Approach 1:
A floating gate is introduced as an intermediary component between the fan and the manure pit. The gate blocks the direct path from the fan to the manure surface, forcing air to be drawn from a different location. This intermediary structure prevents the fan from directly agitating the manure and releasing noxious gases while still enabling ventilation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial dimension of air intake by extending a conduit downward from the fan to near the bottom of the pit, and positioning the floating gate at a different vertical level. Instead of drawing air horizontally from below the slatted floor, the system draws air from the lower region of the pit through the floating gate, eliminating turbulence at the manure surface.
2Productivity
If pump out pits are used to remove manure, then waste removal is achieved, but pit foaming occurs and methane bubbles are released
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts or removes the floating gate component from the conventional pump out pit system. By taking out this simple floating structure with air holes, the system prevents pit foaming and methane bubble release during pumping operations, while maintaining waste removal capability.
3Ease of operation
If excess air is removed and replaced with fresh outside air, then ventilation is maintained, but heating and cooling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floating gate system enables the ventilation system to serve itself by automatically adjusting air intake based on manure level. The gate floats on the manure surface and adjusts its position, allowing the system to maintain effective ventilation without requiring excessive air exchange, thereby reducing energy costs for heating and cooling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves air quality in hog confinement buildings by reducing air turbulence and noxious gas exposure, while also lowering energy costs by optimizing air exchange rates.
Implementation Method 1
A sliding gate is mounted on the conduit and floats on the surface of the manure or waste material in the pump out pit
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation system is provided for a hog confinement building having a slatted floor, a manure reservoir beneath the floor, and a pump out pit in communication with the reservoir. The ventilation system includes a fan on top of the pump out pit, with an air conduit extending downwardly from the fan. A gate is slidably mounted on the conduit, with a float on the bottom end of the gate. The float sits on the surface of the manure, such that the gate rises and falls with changes in the manure level. A ventilation opening on the lower end of the gate allows air to be drawn from the manure reservoir adjacent the surface of the manure, upwardly through the conduit for expulsion by the fan. Air turbulence beneath the slatted floor is minimized to reduce or eliminate rising noxious gases through the slatted floor.