Livestock carriers transport large numbers of animals on several enclosed decks. Each deck requires sufficient fresh air and heat removal, while the ventilation system must fit within the limited available space and remain practical to build, operate and clean.
FlowMotion used CFD to analyse the complete ventilation system of a livestock carrier. The model included the main supply and extract ducts, fans, deck openings and the aerodynamic resistance of the animal areas.
The total ventilation volumetric flow is only one part of the design problem. The air must also be distributed appropriately between the different decks and across each deck. Local pressure differences determine how the available airflow divides through the network.
The simulations provided the local velocity and static-pressure distributions throughout the system. This made it possible to identify poorly ventilated regions, excessive pressure losses and imbalances between decks.
Different duct layouts and operating conditions could then be compared before construction, providing a quantitative basis for a more uniform and efficient ventilation design.
