PASSIVE AIR CONDITIONING OF STABLES IN TROPICAL HOT HUMID CLIMATES.

Due to the strong dependence of milk production o the temperature-humidity index, a natural ventilation system is proposed to achieve the suitable thermal comfort conditions for cattle in hot humid climates. The passive design consists of a solar roof air collectors which by thermosyphon effect allows the entrance and circulation of fresh air into the stable producing the appropriate number of air changes per hour needed to evacuate the heat released by the cows in their metabolic activity. Roof wind turbines are suggested for nocturnal ventilation and to operate together with the solar roof when insolation conditions are relatively weak due to the diffuse nature of global radiation in this type of climates. A prototype has been designed for the climatological characteristics of Veracruz, Mexico.