A vivarium is one of the most energy-intensive facilities due to its requirements for scientific integrity, animal welfare, human health and safety, and durability.
In a JB&B study, A typical modern office building may consume between 50 and 65 kBtu/sq. ft.-yr. In comparison, that number was 131 kBtu/sq. ft
Vivariums consume a lot of energy mainly due to the need for large volumes of air circulation. This is necessary to minimize airborne impurities and smells. The air used for this purpose is sourced directly from outside and isn’t reused within the building, leading to substantial energy usage for its heating, cooling, and distribution. The vivarium usually consists of two sections: one for animal holding, which adheres to industry standards of 15 air changes per hour (ACH), and the other for non-critical vivarium spaces, which maintains 10 ACH. Another significant energy consumer in a vivarium is the need to maintain specific humidity levels, which are crucial for the animals and the research being conducted. Unlike in regular office spaces where humidity can drop during winter, in a vivarium, it must be kept constant to ensure the validity of research results.
Basics
- recycle personal protective equipment
Lighting
- Evaluate the night/day lighting requirements for the animals look for optimizations
- Switched to LED lighting
Cages
Use individually ventilated cages instead of static cages
Recycle or reuse cages
- Innovive recycles the PET cages
Compost animal bedding and waste
- Innovive composts bedding (Available in US)
- Examples: UCSF & UGA have their own program. They use the composted material for their own landsacping. UCSB hires a waste hauler. Emory University in Atlanta composts through municipal composter.
- If you can’t compost, look for parterns who have a biodigester for energy generation
Sterilize and recirculate water for animal watering systems
Cleaning
- Use pH-neutral cleaners that do not require neutralization before being washed down the drain
Cage and Rack Washers
- Cage and rack washers use or have been retrofitted with a counter-current flow system to reuse the final rinse water from one cage-washing cycle in earlier rinses in the next washing cycle.
- Upgrade cage and rack washers to more energy and water efficient models.
- Reuse water from animal watering systems for cage or room washing.
Air Changes
In animal holding facilities, the introduction of ventilated cages can decrease the total volume of air supplied to the area from 15 Air Changes per Hour (ACH) to 10 ACH. This adjustment leads to substantial energy savings in terms of heating, cooling, and fan operation.
In non-critical areas of a vivarium, like storage or supply spaces, lowering the airflow rate even further to 6 ACH can lead to energy savings. Add occupancy sensors so these non-critical areas can be adjusted to operate at 4 Air Changes per Hour (ACH) when not in use. This leads to a decrease in energy used for heating, cooling, and fan operation during these unoccupied periods.
Consider an Aircuity System which offers dynamic feedback by detecting pollutants in the exhaust air. It adjusts the air change rate in the space based on real-time air quality feedback.
A method involving Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) with local recirculation boxes can be used to decrease the flow rate of the air handler. These boxes, equipped with advanced filtration capabilities, operate at 9 Air Changes per Hour (ACH) in areas where animals are held and 4 ACH in non-critical spaces. This allows the spaces to meet the required 15 ACH and 10 ACH respectively. By running high air changes locally, the pressure drop in the main air handling system is minimized. This also reduces the rate of outside air, leading to decreased energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Changing Species
Research with rodents in a vivarium is energy-intensive and unsustainable due to the need for continuous air conditioning at specific temperatures and humidity levels for rodent welfare, regular replacement of bedding, and intensive air change rates to mitigate health risks to humans from rodent dander and dust. Additionally, the process of cleaning and sterilizing animal housing equipment with hot water and steam increases energy demand, and neither the conditioned air nor the heated water can be reused, leading to significant energy consumption and waste.
There is a trend to move to aquatic species, such as Zebra Fish. Transitioning from a vivarium to an aquarium offers numerous long-term benefits. Aquatic species don’t produce airborne hazards to human health, allowing for a reduction in ventilation requirements and a halving of the energy needed for air conditioning. Water, the living medium for aquatic species, can be conserved significantly.
Unlike facilities for mammals, water in aquarium tanks can be efficiently filtered, treated, and recycled using large-scale treatment equipment. This equipment, which uses energy only to recirculate and modestly heat or cool the water, maintains the delicate balance necessary for animal welfare. Moreover, cleanliness in housing is achieved without the use of hot water and steam. The waste generated is minimal compared to the bedding that needs to be decontaminated and disposed of in mammalian species housing. Also, housing equipment is lighter and typically doesn’t require transportation to cleaning areas via large carts and racks, resulting in the use of lighter construction materials.
In the long run, aquatic vivaria significantly reduce energy and water consumption compared to mammalian facilities, while maintaining the same facility lifespan. Furthermore, the equipment for an aquatic vivarium requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan, leading to significant reductions in equipment and labor costs.
HVAC Heat Recovery
Konvecta heat recovery is a method that enhances the system’s dehumidification capacity. It works by recovering and reusing the heat that would otherwise be lost during the reheating process. This not only improves the efficiency of the system but also leads to energy savings.
Heat recovery in Sterilization
In the sterilization process, steam heat recovery can be used. This involves capturing the steam condensate produced during sterilization and utilizing its heat to warm up the water that’s entering the system. This practice enhances the overall efficiency of the sterilization system.
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