Rainwater Harvesting for Dairy Operations
Problem Statement
Milk is 87% water; thus, dairy cows require upwards of 50 gallons of water per cow per day for milk production. With roughly 100 cows per operation in Kentucky, the cost of supplying drinking water is $1,500 a month. A supplemental water harvesting system could reduce overall water costs by 10-20%. This project will produce a rooftop rain collection and monitoring system to supplement current water sources with hopes of reducing the financial burden on dairy operators.
Solution
Copy of Updated Collection System.pdfRainwater Collection System
Copy of Updated Supply System.pdfRainwater Supply System
Final Draft Wiring Diagram Official.pdfProposed Wiring Diagram
Copy of designfile.pdfSmall-Scale Testing Model
PLC Video.mp4PLC Program Demonstration
PLC Program Code
Contributors
Team Members
Amelia Bolin, Jordan Luciano, Cynthia Arnold, & Marshall Truitt
Project Advisor
Ben Koostra
Ben is an innovative independent consultant who has worked as an engineer in a large consulting firm and managed research and development projects at a major university. He is passionate about bringing fresh ideas to forward-thinking businesses and organizations that will solve their problems and add to their value.
Technical Contact
Dr. Alicia Modenbach
Alicia works closely with current and prospective engineering students as a professor and advisor in the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Kentucky. She has a background in Bioprocess Engineering. She desires to explore new ways to retain students and provide them with transformative experiences.
Technical Contact
Dr. Mick Peterson
Mick is both a Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering professor and the Director of Ag Equine Programs at the University of Kentucky. He has an extensive background in research efforts connecting engineering mechanics and materials to the biomechanics of animals. He is instrumental in the U.K. Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.
Contact us!
Email: ukbae.dairyw@gmail.com