Investigation Into the Effects of Temperature Probe Orientation on the Purdue Swine Cooling Pad

Darren S Seidel, Purdue University

Abstract

Heat stress in livestock production consistently alters several commercial aspects within the agricultural industry. Reproductive efficiency and variability, growth performance, and carcass merit are a few of those factors. Ultimately, the agricultural research community has been investigating technologies to combat the effects of heat stress to increase commercial productivity and general animal husbandry. This research project investigated the effect of the temperature probe orientation of a Swine Cooling Pad developed at Purdue University through collaboration between Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Animal Sciences. The overall purpose of the Purdue Swine Cooling Pad is to reduce heat stress on sows pre- and post-farrowing, and during lactation stages. The original design expressed a temperature probe orientation in a horizontal manner in which the probe’s tip, where temperature data were collected, did not directly contact with the unit’s platform plate. The platform plate was where the sow was laying during testing and the main component of heat transfer between the sow’s warmer body temperature and the cooler groundwater running through internal copper coil system. One of the main points of interest in this Swine Cooling Pad research investigation was accurately expressing the heat transfer from the sow to the copper coil system and obtaining accurate temperature data in real time. Several varieties of temperature probe orientations were proposed while trying to keep every other aspect of the Swine Cooling Pad the same, with the end goal being able to identify which temperature probe orientation offers the most accurate and precise data relative to known values and which orientation was the most feasible with the commercialization process for the research stakeholders. Temperature data from two separate collection systems were assessed using analyses that document differences in the probe’s responsiveness and accuracy. Thermal differences were documented in the Hilitchi DS 18B20 probe when compared to the K-Type Thermocouple lead at each respective research location on the Swine Cooling Pad. As a result, calibration offset values were developed and Hilitchi DS 18B20 probe with the most responsive and accurate orientation was described. Improvements to the design of the Swine Cooling Pad will help with the industrial acceptance and allow for the future implementation of this platform in commercial swine facilities to alter the effects of heat stress for swine producers.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Stwalley, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Agriculture|Animal sciences|Agricultural engineering

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