Intensive usage of fossil fuel for heating of poultry barns is the largest operation cost for most of poultry growers. High humidity of indoor air is the biggest challenge for farmers to produce healthy food due to moisture induced ammonia generation from manure and disease problems. Proposed research is to transforming waste heat from high temperature of exhaust air and latent heat from moisture into energy to reduce or replace fossil fuel in poultry, including turkey, broiler, layer and other types of barns. The objective of the proposed research is to develop (a) high efficient thin-wall heat exchanger for poultry applications, which can be manufactured with advanced method in US, and (b) innovative dehumidifying system to transfer waste heat from exhaust air and latent heat from moisture as heating sources of poultry farm. Success of the research and development of the technology is expected to bring the following impact to the poultry industry and public: (a) saving energy (fossil fuel for heating) cost by 70-80% in turkey and broiler house, and replace 100% of fossil fuel in egg layer barns; (b) active dehumidifying and accurate moisture control to reduce ammonia generation inside poultry houses. Improved indoor air quality will benefit the poultry production effectiveness and farming profitability (including higher average bird weight, higher feed conversion rate and lower mortality rate); (c) Assist healthy food through clean, dry and comfort air which will lead to less diseases and less antibiotic medicine usage; (d) remove dust from poultry facility and offer opportunity of odor control, which will improve local environment and benefit farmers, their facility and their neighbors living surround the farm; (e) developed heat exchanger and dehumidifying products will be manufactured in rural Missouri and offer job opportunities, and (f) production of healthier food with significant lower cost will make American farmers more competitive in global market. The technology development will be based on applicants' recent success in reducing propane by 50% in poultry houses. It can be possibly used in commercial farms. It is planned to have the technology filed tested in a small or medium size poultry farm for organic and/or free range barns in the phase II research. It is also expect to be applied in other farming facilities including hog and aquaculture farms. It address global issues and will have potential international applications.
