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Article
Energy Management at University Farms
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations
  • H. Mark Hanna, Iowa State University
  • Jay D. Harmon, Iowa State University
  • Dana D. Schweitzer, Iowa State University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
7-1-2015
DOI
10.13031/aim.20152189846
Conference Title
2015 ASABE Annual International Meeting
Conference Date
July 26–29, 2015
Geolocation
(29.95106579999999, -90.0715323)
Abstract

Energy is an input cost to agricultural production. Knowing typical values can help farmers to evaluate management options. Diesel, propane, and electrical energy used on the farm during selected field operations, crop drying, and in swine housing were measured on Iowa State University research and demonstration farms. Baseline values were measured and tractor operation management styles were compared.

Strategies for saving fuel were demonstrated in 30 of 35 tractor operation comparisons. Comparisons of gear/engine speed, tillage depth, travel speed, and use of front-wheel-assist averaged 29, 27, 15, and 14% more energy used than the fuel-saving alternative. Single drive wheels used 8% more energy than duals, but results were mixed when comparing different tire inflation pressures.

Energy used in high-temperature drying in bins ranged from 4.67 to 7.70 Mj/kg (2010 to 3310 Btu/lb). Most energy was used from propane (96%). Propane use averaged 0.0027 L/kg (0.018 gal/bu) per percentage point of moisture removed.

Minimum ventilation fans had the highest duty factor in a curtain-sided swine finishing barn. Electrical use was greater in tunnel-ventilated than curtain-sided barns (29.0 vs. 20.9 kWh/pig space-yr) and propane use was greater in wean-to-finish than finish-only operations(10.6 L vs. 2.5 L/pig space-yr, 2.8 gal vs. 0.67 gal/pig space-yr).

Comments

This proceeding is from 2015 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Paper No. 152189846, pages 1-24 (doi: 10.13031/aim.20152189846). St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
H. Mark Hanna, Jay D. Harmon and Dana D. Schweitzer. "Energy Management at University Farms" New Orleans, LA, United States(2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jay_harmon/135/