Ventilation Optimization Using CFD Analysis for a Sustainable Environmentally Controlled Poultry Shed in Tropical Climates

Sustainable poultry production is critical for achieving global food security (SDG-2) while addressing climate challenges (SDG-13). This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of an environmentally controlled poultry house (ECPH) in tropical climate (33.81°N, 72.70°E) of Pakistan demonstrating how optimized ventilation design can simultaneously improve bird (chicken) quality (SDG-12) and resource efficiency (SDG-7). Through steady-state and transient thermo-fluid simulations informed by site-specific heating/cooling load calculations, non-uniform zones of relative humidity and air velocity at bird height that contribute to heat stress are identified. Validation with onsite measurements confirmed accuracy of the model in predicting temperature (R² = 0.89), relative humidity distributions (R² = 0.82) and air velocity (R² = 0.85). The results reveal three key sustainability benefits i.e. 25-30% potential reduction in ventilation energy use through targeted airflow optimization; improved bird health indicators that could decrease antibiotic use by 15-20%, and enhanced productivity that shortens production cycles by 5-7 days. Optimization of the conventional ECPH designs for a required length, and identification of high-risk periods during morning, afternoon and evening for existing ventilation systems failure in maintaining the comfort are concluded based on the detailed analysis. This work provides a replicable framework for developing countries such as Pakistan to implement SDG-aligned poultry housing solutions that balance economic viability with environmental stewardship, particularly in climate-vulnerable tropical regions.