QU develops sustainable cooling system for poultry houses in hot, humid regions

Qatar University (QU) has developed a sustainable air conditioning system for poultry houses in hot and humid regions.
This project, led by Dr Djamel Ouahrani, associate professor of architectural engineering at the College of Engineering at QU, involves collaboration with Dr Nesreen Ghaddar and Dr Kamel Ghali from the American University of Beirut. The research, funded by the Qatar National Research Fund, aims to address the critical challenges faced by poultry farming in maintaining optimal indoor conditions for bird welfare and productivity.
Commercial poultry houses commonly use conventional ventilation and cooling systems, such as direct evaporative cooling (DEC) systems, to maintain desired conditions. However, DEC systems become less effective in highly humid climates, necessitating the exploration of alternative cooling methods. This research project proposes the Dew-Point Indirect Evaporative Cooler (DPIEC) as an alternative to DEC, which can provide cooling while maintaining constant humidity. Yet, its efficiency decreases in highly humid conditions. To overcome this limitation, a hybrid system combining DPIEC with a desiccant system is projected. This innovative system can reclaim water, enhancing sustainability.
The experimental set-up at the Zero Emissions Lab at QU included key components such as the dehumidification system, evaporative cooling system, and water reclamation unit. The dehumidification system comprises solid adsorbent beads packed in cylindrical beds, operating out of phase to ensure continuous dehumidification.
The system operates based on outdoor air conditions and desired indoor conditions. During the dehumidification stage, outdoor air enters the system, and the required dehumidification level is adjusted based on outdoor humidity. Heat recovery is achieved by mixing hot and dry air with outdoor purge air. The evaporative cooling stage involves dividing outdoor air into two streams, with the product air cooled in dry channels and supplied to the space, while the working airflow absorbs heat and evaporates water in wet channels. Desiccant regeneration involves heating the pre-heated purge airflow to a regeneration temperature, desorbing water vapour from the desiccant bed, and collecting condensed water.