A surface geothermal system application to improve the lacting sow welfare

In this study, a thermally controlled sow nursery was developed and implemented using surface geothermal energy for sow ventilation and photovoltaic energy for heating the suckling piglets. The geothermal system consisted of two fans that sucked ambient air and conducted it through the coil buried at 3 meters, cooling the ambient air through heat transfer to the ground. A hot environment was simulated, achieving an air input temperature of 40°C for the geothermal system. Additionally, a heating system was installed with electric resistances on a metal plate to provide heat to the babies. At temperatures between 33 and 42°C, the tendency of the temperature difference between inlet (environment) and outlet is greater and its tendency to growth (meaning cooling); while during the use of the bypass (the coil is not used) the difference shows a stable and horizontal trend without growth. The temperature of the surface of the heating bed fluctuated between 28 and 33°C, with piglet preference observed for the heating bed, which suggests that the space provided adequate temperatures for its growth stage. The results suggest that the buried coil cools the hot intake air and could help in areas with high environment temperatures.