Daily Mean Dew Point Temperature Prediction for Ventilation Control in Humid Climates

ABSTRACT MICROCOMPUTER control systems allow real-time decision making to be incorporated into livestock production facilities. Air moisture content is a necessary input for computer based ventilation control. Suitable sensors for air moisture measurement are lacking for many applications. Methods for its estimation are needed to be effectively integrate these improved control systems into the livestock industry. Two methods of predicting daily mean dew point temperature under humid weather conditions are presented. Method one is based on the measurement of early morning dry-bulb temperature. Method two is based on an equation for hourly dry-bulb which uses forecasts of daily high-low dry-bulb temperature. Results are compared to weather data for Montgomery, AL and the deviations are discussed. Method one over-estimates the daily mean dew point temperature by approximately 2 °C for Montgomery, AL and method two underestimates early morning dry-bulb temperature by approximately 2 °C.