Cooling systems in farms are crucial for maintaining suitable temperatures, especially in regions with warm climates. This helps prevent heat stress in animals, which negatively impacts their wellbeing and productivity. Refrigeration is fundamental in the summer or during hot months to guarantee comfortable environments for both livestock and personnel. A controlled environment diminishes the risk of physical injuries and illnesses related to excessive heat or the proliferation of contaminating agents. Furthermore, controlling temperature and humidity improves quality and productivity in animal production.
Evaporative Cooling: A Widely Used Technology
Evaporative cooling is the most utilized and recommended technology for semi-open spaces such as stables and barns. It consists of evaporating water using special panels or pads that humidify the air, cooling it while ensuring continuous circulation of fresh air. Evaporative air conditioning delivers 100% fresh and filtered air, without recirculation, which reduces odors, dust, and harmful contaminants. It is characterized by lower energy consumption, using up to 80% less energy than conventional systems with refrigerants. It favors healthier environments, reducing respiratory irritations and boosting the productivity of animals and workers. It is ideal for open or semi-open spaces where traditional air conditioning does not function, since it depends on the recirculation of air in sealed spaces. Evaporation produces a slight increase in relative humidity, which, along with the significant decrease in temperature, creates a comfortable environment. For example, with an outside humidity of 40% and 35ºC, it can be lowered to 24ºC inside while adding moderate humidity without generating discomfort.
Specialized Cooling Panels for Farms
Evaporative Panels (PAD Cooling)
These panels are composed of pure cellulose (kraft paper) impregnated with special resins that offer high absorption and mechanical resistance. They feature frames in aluminum or stainless steel for installation in poultry and pig farms, and undergo treatments with biocides against fungi and bacteria, as well as protection against UV rays, in addition to special treatments to increase hardness and resistance to wear. They are available in thicknesses of 100 mm, 150 mm, and 200 mm, with standard and custom measurements available upon request.
Key properties include:
- High water absorption capacity
- No contraction
- Anti-algae, anti-bacteria, anti-fungi, and UV protection
- Easy transport and installation
- Compliance with REACH regulations (European regulation on chemical substances)
The panels are easy to clean and replace. The air passes through the wet panels, evaporating the water to lower the temperature and humidify the air.
Descubre los Mejores Paneles LED
Structure and Components
A robust frame in aluminum or stainless steel guarantees durability in corrosive environments typical of farms. The panels come in standard measurements, easily cut or customized as needed. It is recommended to install them alongside ventilation systems to maximize circulation and effectiveness.
Additional Cooling Systems for Farms
Fogging Systems
Fogging systems function by micro-diffusing water in the form of a very fine mist to cool environments without wetting surfaces or generating excess localized humidity.
Benefits include:
- Reducing high interior temperatures without altering environmental quality
- Controlling relative humidity to optimize animal comfort and health
- Facilitating the elimination of suspended dust
- Contributing to the cleaning and disinfection of the environment
- Inhibiting diseases and improving interior air
Technically, they feature nozzles designed for very fine droplets suspended in the air and tubes in AISI 316L stainless steel for resistance and durability. They can be applied in static or dynamic installations with forced or natural ventilation.
Modular Evaporative Coolers (ECO Cooling)
These are autonomous and modular equipment adaptable to different types of farms. They incorporate silent, low-energy consumption fans with high air flow. They are constructed in plastic and stainless steel, especially designed for use in poultry and pig farming.
Cómo facilitar la visualización de datos en Excel
Technical parameters include:
- Motor power: 1200 W three-phase at 400 V
- Fan with aluminum blades and adjustable motor with TRIAC or frequency inverter
- Air flow between 20,000 and 30,000 m³/h
- Water pump operating at 220 V with a flow rate of 120 L/min and a water tank of 400 L
Advantages include:
- Easy installation without major renovations
- Resistant structure in stainless steel
- Cellulose panel replacement system with easy access for maintenance
- Capacity to cool complex areas or reinforce isolated zones within the farm
Evaporative Air Conditioning Units for Farms
These are developed to climatize semi-open spaces such as stables and barns with high energy efficiency and a low environmental footprint.
Technologies include:
- Direct evaporative air conditioning (Breezair, Coolair)
- Hyper-efficient indirect evaporative air conditioning (Climate Wizard)
Specific benefits include:
Innovación y estilo en paneles decorativos
- Precise control of temperature and humidity
- 100% fresh and filtered air
- Reduction of heat stress in livestock
- Effective prevention of respiratory diseases and heat stroke injuries
- Increased productivity thanks to better animal welfare
- Reduction in operating costs and electricity consumption
- Sustainable and ecological solution for agricultural spaces
These are highly recommended for dairy farming, pig farming, poultry farming, and protected crops.
Technical and Operational Characteristics of Cooling Panels
Design and Operation
The panels are designed with unequal flutes or channels that enable:
- Passage of air at high speed without significant resistance
- Minimization of the transport of water droplets outside the panel
- Self-cleaning of the panel, expelling dust and dirt on the air inlet side
Water is continuously pumped towards the surface of the panel to keep it moist. The air that passes through is cooled by evaporation, increasing the relative humidity of the interior environment. The design guarantees maximum performance and thermal efficiency, longer lifespan and reduced maintenance, and safety against the growth of pathogenic microorganisms thanks to incorporated biocides.
Materials and Treatments
The cellulose kraft paper is treated with resins and biocides. Frames in aluminum or stainless steel guarantee resistance against corrosion and mechanical wear. Special external hardening options are available for greater protection against impacts or abrasion. They comply with European environmental and safety regulations (for example, REACH).
Benefits of Using Cooling Panels in Farms
Advantages for Animal Wellbeing
- Reduction of heat stress and better regulation of body temperature
- Decrease in the risk of respiratory and physical illnesses
- Greater comfort that improves appetite, health, and productive performance
- Cleaner and healthier environments due to continuous filtration and circulation of fresh air
Economic and Environmental Advantages
- Significant energy savings compared to conventional refrigerated systems
- Reduced operating costs due to lower electricity consumption and simple maintenance
- Greater durability and resistance in demanding agricultural conditions
- Eco-friendly solutions that reduce environmental impact and emissions
Operability and Flexibility
- Easy installation in existing structures, without the need for major renovations
- Flexibility in the size and location of panels according to specific areas within the farm
- Compatibility with other systems such as mechanical or natural ventilation, fogging, and climate control
- Modular solutions that allow adaptation to the expansion or relocation of facilities
Practical Applications and Usage Suggestions
Types of Farms
- Poultry farms: for chickens, laying hens, turkeys, where controlled temperature and humidity influence growth and laying rate.
- Pig farms: breeding and fattening of pigs, where avoiding heat stroke is vital for animal health.
- Dairy farms: stables with cattle to reduce heat stress and improve the production of high-quality milk.
- Complementary agricultural facilities: protected greenhouses or forage storage spaces with climate control needs.
Examples of Success Stories
Installation of Breezair systems in dairy cow farms (used in the production of Parmesan cheese) has demonstrated a decrease in heat stress, an increase in milk production, a reduction in the use of medications, and an overall improvement in productivity. Pig fattening farms with a capacity of 80 places equipped with ventilation and evaporative panels optimize feed efficiency and welfare.
Panels and Materials for Cold Storage in Agriculture and Industry
Though not directly tied to the refrigeration of living environments, it is relevant to mention refrigeration panels manufactured with rigid polyurethane foam (PUR), with typical densities of 40 kg/m³ and structures with double galvanized steel, stainless steel, or stucco aluminum faces. Common thicknesses include 2.5”, 3”, and 4” (approx. 63, 75, and 100 mm), also available in greater thicknesses up to 200 mm for freezing chambers. They feature tongue-and-groove or “Camlock” type joining systems with double EPDM gaskets and a double tenon profile to prevent thermal leaks. These are used in the storage of agricultural products, food, pharmaceuticals, laboratories, cold rooms, and freezing chambers. They offer adequate thermal insulation to preserve sensitive products, but are not focused on the climatization of living spaces with animals.
Considerations for Installation and Maintenance
Installation Requirements
Adequate extraction or ventilation is needed to allow the exit of stale air, avoiding the accumulation of heat and humidity. It is recommended to leave natural openings (doors or windows) or install mechanical extraction systems to guarantee the effectiveness of the evaporative system. Correct installation of the pumping and water distribution system is necessary to keep the panels always moist without excess.
Maintenance
Periodic changes of evaporative panels are needed to maintain high performance (easy access and replacement). Review pumps and fans to ensure continuous and efficient operation. Clean to avoid obstruction with dust or dirt, especially in environments with a high contaminant load. Control the biocide treatment to prevent bacterial or fungal proliferation.
Technical Summary
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Types of evaporative panels | Pure cellulose impregnated, aluminum or stainless steel, thicknesses of 100-200 mm |
| Treatments | Biocides anti fungi/bacteria, UV protection, special hardening treatments |
| Recommended air flow | From 20,000 m³/h to 30,000 m³/h in modular coolers type ECO COOLING |
| Electricity consumption | Three-phase motors 1200 W, 220 V 0.35 kW pumps |
| Fogging function | Suspended micro droplets to humidify and decrease temperature without wetting surfaces |
| Panel joining system | Tongue and groove, double EPDM gasket, double tenon to avoid thermal leaks |
| Applications | Poultry farming, pig farming, bovine stables, greenhouses, food warehouses |
| Key benefits | Reduction of heat stress, improvement of air quality, energy saving, increase in productivity |
| Maintenance | Easy panel replacement, periodic cleaning, control of biocide treatments |
Cooling panels for farms, mainly evaporative systems based on treated cellulose panels, along with the integration of ventilation and fogging, are fundamental tools for maintaining optimal climatic conditions in agricultural and livestock operations. Their design, energy efficiency, functionality, and benefits for animal health and productivity make them an ideal solution in the face of adverse climatic conditions, particularly in warm and semi-open areas. The correct choice, installation, and maintenance of these systems guarantee healthy, comfortable environments with high biosecurity standards for modern farms.
tags: #paneles #refrigeracion #para #granjas