The present disclosure provides a procedure for obtaining an algae-based composition for feeding Tenebrio molitor larvae. The procedure includes receiving algae and separating rock remains and plastic materials from the algae. The procedure also includes washing the algae with fresh water to eliminate traces of sand, small crustaceans, and other unwanted elements, in addition to reducing salinity. The procedure further includes drying the algae for between 2-4 days, grinding the dried algae, and mixing the ground algae with an agri-food additive until a composition is obtained that contains proteins 18-24%, fats: 2-4%, carbohydrates: 50-70%, moisture: 5-20%, and ash: 1-8%.

A solar air heating curtain for installation on the wall or eave of a building consisting of a sheet of flexible translucent or transparent film facing outward from the building and a sheet of flexible film facing inward toward the building with both films joined around the perimeter forming an interior air volume, with a flexible air permeable material, that is heated when exposed to solar energy, suspended between the films, and a fan to move air from outside; through an air inlet, through the interior air volume in close contact with the air permeable material, and through an air outlet.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) backpack for modular animal crate is disclosed. The HVAC is configured to provide a climate-controlled environment within the modular animal crate. The HVAC backpack includes a framework that supports the components of the HVAC unit and mounting to the modular crate. The HVAC backpack may include a control module with a touchscreen display to receive control inputs for operation of the HVAC unit and provide a visual display of conditions within the modular crate. One or more sensors carried by the HVAC backpack monitor air quality delivered to the modular animal crate. The control module may include alerting the user to conditions within the crate. A communications module allows for remote control operation of the HVAC backpack and receiving alerts to conditions within the modular crate.

A heated animal shelter assembly for providing heated shelter for an animal includes a house that may provide shelter for an animal. A heating unit is coupled to the house. The heating unit selectively heats the house. Thus, the house keeps the animal warm when the animal seeks shelter within the house. A pair of doors is provided and each of the doors is hingedly coupled to the house.

An apparatus for drying piglets immediately after birth includes a container shaped and arranged for receiving up to three or four of the piglets having an opening arrangement for manual insertion by the worker of the piglets to be confined within the container during a drying period. The container has a system for applying air movement and optionally heat to the piglets while confined with the container for drying and a release arrangement having a door controlled by a settable timer or a system for detecting when the piglets are dry for allowing release from the container of the piglets after a sufficient drying time period has elapsed. The container includes a base mounted in each farrowing crate and a cover portion which is removable from one crate to another.

A method for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device includes circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit forming a closed fluid loop, heating the heat transfer fluid by a heat source, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid to a first heat user which may be a thermal desalination unit, and returning at least part of the heat transfer fluid that has been cooled down. The heat transfer fluid supplies heat to at least one additional heat user serially arranged before or after the thermal desalination unit. The temperature ranges of the heat transfer fluid are within the optimal operating temperature ranges of the respective heat users in the fluid circuit. A corresponding system and greenhouse by which the method of the invention may be implemented is also described.

A system and method for thermally exchanging heat between waste air being expelled from a poultry barn and fresh outside/outdoor ambient air being introduced into the poultry barn.

An environmental control system for controlling environmental conditions within an open interior of an agricultural building includes a main controller, and a plurality of zone systems. Each zone system is configured to control environmental conditions within one of a plurality of zones within the open interior, and includes at least one environmental control device, a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature within the zone, and a smart hub configured to control the at least one environmental control device of the corresponding zone based on low and high setpoint temperatures for the zone issued by the main controller and the temperature signal issued by the temperature sensor of the zone. The main controller is configured to prevent activation of an environmental control device in one of the zones by the smart hub based on an operating condition of an environmental control device in another zone.

The present disclosure provides a multifunctional cattery capable of being quickly disassembled and reassembled, and relates to the technical field of catteries. The multifunctional cattery includes a bottom bearing plate, two limiting side plates, a rear backboard, and a top protection plate; the bottom bearing plate, the top protection plate, and the two limiting side plates form an annular structure; the rear backboard is arranged in one opening of the annular structure; plugging blocks are arranged on an upper side, a lower side, and a rear side of any one of the above limiting side plates; plugging slots are formed in the bottom bearing plate, the top protection plate, and the rear backboard; and the plugging slots and the plugging blocks are in plugging fit. The multifunctional cattery can achieve free assembling or disassembling and can be recycled, which saves resources.

A method for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device includes circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit forming a closed fluid loop, heating, via a heat source, the heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit to a temperature within an efficient operating range of a first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid to a first heat unit, the first heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid to a temperature within an efficient operating range of at least one additional heat unit connected in serial arrangement with the heat source and the first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid from the first heat unit to the additional heat unit, the additional heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid, and returning the cooled down part of the heat transfer fluid from the additional heat unit to the heat source in the fluid circuit.