ANALYZING WATER DISTRIBUTION-SYSTEMS FOR SWINE GROWING AND FINISHING UNITS

An analysis procedure for livestock water distribution systems with ni pple waterers is presented. The procedure uses the finite element anal ysis techniques to calculate the pressure distribution in a system wit h several branches and nipple waterers. The procedure also optimize th e system for flow uniformity and cost. The formulation allows the use of the drop inlet as a discharge point to reduce the size of the solut ion matrix. The discharge parameters were developed at this inlet usin g waterer flow characteristics. The flow rate at each nipple waterer c an be then calculated based on the drop inlet pressure. The solution f or a typical network is presented. The method can be used as the basis for the design and evaluation of water distribution systems in swine growing and finishing units.