Static and Dynamic Temperature Distribution of Heat Mats for Swine Farrowing Creep Heating
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
Laboratory and in-barn tests were conducted to study the thermal characteristics of electrical heat mats for creep heating in swine farrowing crates. An infrared imager was used to evaluate the surface temperature distribution and controllability of four commercial heat mats under constant environmental conditions. The effects of pig resting behavior on surface temperature distribution of the heat mat were elucidated by in-barn tests. Embedded temperature sensors facilitated the controllability of mat surface temperature. If either designed or operated improperly, electrical heat mats could contain hot spots (> 43°C or 109°F), which would greatly reduce the effective usable mat area for piglets. When piglets were lying on the mat with embedded temperature sensors, mat surface temperature rose in the occupied region and declined in the unoccupied region. The temperature difference between the two regions ranged from 7 to 12°C (13 to 22°F). Temperature feedback control maintained the mat temperature in a comfortable range for piglets. By comparison, a mat without temperature feedback control could become excessively hot (> 43°C or 109°F) for piglets.
Comments
This article is from Applied Engineering in Agriculture 16, no. 5 (2000): 563–569.