Model Predictive Control of Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality in livestock stable

In this paper, the implementation of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy for livestock ventilation systems and the associated indoor climate through variable valve opening and exhaust fan, is presented. The design is based on Thermal Comfort (TC) and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) parameters for poultry in barns. The dynamic models describing the nonlinear behavior of ventilation and associated indoor climate, by applying a so-called conceptual multi-zone method are used for prediction of indoor horizontal variation of temperature and carbon dioxide concentration. The simulation results illustrate the significant potential of MPC in dealing with nonlinearities, handling constraints and performing offset free tracking for multiple control objectives. The entire control systems are able to determine the demand ventilation rate and airflow pattern, optimize the Thermal Comfort, Indoor Air Quality and energy use.