Energy Benefits of Pulsation Stop Control on Dairy Farms

摘要

Pulsators are an essential part of modern dairy milking systems. They provide the necessary teat massage needed to milk a cow in a safe, efficient, and healthy manner. Normally, pulsators operate continuously during milking. Energy savings are possible if the pulsators are shut off during the time when the milking unit is detached from the cow. This. action, called pulsation stop control (PSC), can be performed by either automatic detacher systems or pulsation monitoring systems, depending on the manufacturer. Automatic detacher systems with PSC provide labor savings, better udder health, and improved equipment lifetimes. Pulsation monitoring systems with PSC provide these benefits and in addition monitor individual pulsators to insure for proper operation and monitor and record overall parlor performance Traditionally, these benefits have been the primary reasons for use of a these systems, with energy savings being an ancillary benefit. This report documents the energy savings observed on six southern California dairies due to PSC. Energy is saved in two ways: reduction of the air flow rate of the vacuum system, and reduction of the power drawn by the individual pulsator solenoids.