Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/05
Outputs
All equipment was removed from the emission site in May 2005. Sensors and data lines within the houses were removed; the trailer unanchored, and analysis equipment disconnected. All were brought back to campus. Some of the data analysis equipment was cleaned and refurbished and continues to be cleaned and refurbished as funds allow. Data analysis is continuing and will continue to do so for some time. Minor repairs were necessary in one of the houses monitored. Mice traveled along the data lines and chewed holes in the sidewall plastic along one wall. This damage was repaired to the satis faction of the owner, and the leftover repair supplies were left on site to maintain the repair. Help with data analysis is being provided by Purdue University. The amount of data is voluminous and the data quality varies considerably. Known factors contributing to this variability include equipment failures, loss of power, loss of calibration, changes in ventilation staging without
notification, and human error. In some instances data discrepancies cannot be attributed to known causes. The environment in the broiler house was very dusty, caustic and humid. This environment was highly reactive as equipment went out of calibration easily and several sensors were sustained damage.
Impacts
Data from this study will be used to provide the first bench marks of emissions from broiler housing. Subsequent tests and research sites will be selected to provide detailed emissions from broiler housing. The ultimate goal is to reduce emissions from broiler housing
Publications
- Jerez, S., Y. Zhang, J. McClure, L.D. Jacobson, A.J. Heber, S.J. Hoff, J. Koziel, D. Beasley, 2004. Comparison of total particulate emission using tapered element oscillating microbalance and a TSP sampler. Annual Meeting, Indianapolis , IN : June 22-24, Air & Waste Management Assoc.: Pittsburgh , PA
- Hoff, S.J., D.S. Bundy, M.A. Huebner, B.C. Zelle, L.D. Jacobson, B.P. Hetchler, V.J. Johnson, R.E. Nicolai, D.R. Schmidt, P.R. Goodrich, A.J. Heber, J.Q. Ni, T.T. Lim, P.C. Tao, Y. Zhang, J. McClure, S. Jerez, M. Roberts, J.A. Koziel, B.H. Baek, A. Balota, J.P. Spinhirne, J.M. Sweeten, D.B. Beasley, G.R. Baughman, and R. Munilla. 2004. Real-Time Ventilation Measurements from Mechanically Ventilated Livestock Buildings for Emission Rate Estimations. ASAE Paper No. 044178. St. Joseph, MI. 2004 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, 1-4 Aug.
- Jacobson, L.D., B.P. Hetchler, V.J. Johnson, R.E. Nicolai, D.R. Schmidt, P.R. Goodrich, A.J. Heber, J.-Q. Ni, T.-T. Lim, and P.-C. Tao, S.J. Hoff, D.S. Bundy, M.A. Huebner, B.C. Zelle, Y.Zhang, J. McClure, M. Roberts, J.A. Koziel, B.H. Baek, A. Balota, J.P. Spinhirne, J.M. Sweeten, D.B. Beasley, G.R. Baughman, R. Munilla. 2004. Preliminary NH3, H2S, and PM10 data from pig and poultry buildings from six-state project. ASAE Paper No. 044156. St. Joseph, MI. 2004 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, 1-4 Aug. 17 pp.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Emission monitoring completely ceased in June 2004. At that time some of the equipment was not working properly. Billions of bytes of data are now being analyzed. Data was collected at 10-minute intervals on a 24/7 basis for temperature, relative humidity, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and particulate emissions. Because of equipment failures and loss of calibration the data must be scanned to eliminate unreliable and/or erroneous measurement numbers. Data analysis software, purchased from RSLS by the regional project is being used to help in the validation of the data. Also, some of the equipment is being refurbished as the emission gases caused significant degradation of sensors and other items of equipment.
Impacts
Data from this study will be used to provide the first bench marks of emissions from broiler housing. Subsequent tests and research sites will be selected to provide detailed emissions from broiler housing. The ultimate goal is to reduce emissions from broiler housing
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Emission monitoring equipment has been installed and connected to the controller and the data logger. The primary emission measurements are carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and dust. Temperatures were also measured. Reliability of the equipment has been a serious problem; this has severely limited simultaneous measurement of all variables, and data set integrity. A reasonable amount of data for the dust, ammonia, and carbon dioxide has been accumulated. Accurate data for hydrogen sulfide is limited due to the very low levels emitted compared to our ability to calibrate the hydrogen sulfide instrument at these levels. Also, the hydrogen sulfide calibration gas has been quite variable. Some, but not all of the instrumentation unreliability can be attributed to the adverse nature of the poultry house emissions. The levels of ammonia detected, coupled with high relative humidity, and the high levels of dust seriously undermined the reliability of our
instruments. Some equipment manufacturers have recently developed "hardened" versions of the instruments this project is using. A serious interruption occurred when all equipment plus the data trailer were removed from the site to prevent damage from hurricane Isabel. Reinstallation and calibration to obtain full operation took several weeks.
Impacts
Data from this study will be used to provide the first bench marks of emissions from broiler housing. Subsequent tests and research sites will be selected to provide detailed emissions from broiler housing. The ultimate goal is to reduce emissions from broiler housing
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
Funding was secured to measure emissions from broiler housing in jointly funded project with five other states. The objectives were to quantify pollutant emissions from confined animal buildings, Provide valid baseline data on aerial emissions, Determine long-term characteristics of odor, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and particulate matter, Study trends of ventilation rate, animal weight, humidity, temperature, and manure management on aerial pollutant emissions. Instrumentation and equipment was purchased with the funding and is partially installed. Key emissions measurements include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter. Nearly continuous measurements of these compounds and substances throughout a 15 month period using a mobile laboratory is a key part of the study. An outbreak of Avian Influenza, which resulted in absolute quarantine of poultry farms for several weeks, a change in cooperating growers due to the outbreak, and the death of
the primary investigator has put the study behind schedule. Collaborative studies on the short term health effects of exposures to low levels of swine odors and dust on humans with Dr. Susan Schiffman at Duke University continued through the summer.
Impacts
Detailed measurements of emissions from livestock and poultry facilities over a longer period will provide needed information as to the effect of animal age and season of the year on the levels of emissions. Such information would be very useful in determining the level of amelioration to control or manage the emissions as well as the equipment and methods used.
Publications
- Keener, K. M., J. Zhang, R.W. Bottcher, and R.D. Munilla. 2002. Evaluation of thermal desorption for the measurement of artificial swine odorants in the vapor phase. Transactions of the ASAE, Vol. 45(5): 1579-1584.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Dispersion model theory was applied to predict dilution of exhaust fan airflow from short stacks; results showed that at very close distances (less than 0.5 miles), short ducts and windbreaks can provide as much as a doubling of dilution, but at longer distances, taller stacks are needed for substantial improvement in dilution. Installation of short ducts on poultry building fans in Anson County resulted in a neighbor dropping a lawsuit against the producer. Analysis of data collected at a swine farm with an indoor ozonation system was completed and a manuscript is being revised per reviewer comments. Analysis of odor intensity data showed that two methods of sampling for odors, using air samples or aspirated fabric swatches, were correlated well. A new method was developed to characterize odorants in gases emitted from swine production facilities, using a gas chromatograph system and sorbent tubes backed with a combination of three materials. A conceptual design for
an energy-efficient swine farm, using a belt system to separate feces and urine inside the building, was developed with a multi-disciplinary team. A prototype, 30 ft long belt system is being developed for testing as part of a Smithfield Foods/N.C. Attorney General agreeement project. A cooperative project with Smithfield Foods funded by the Smithfield/N.C.A.G. agreement, involving three different waste treatment systems with aeration of liquid for flushing the buildings, was initiated. A collaborative project with Dr. Susan Schiffman at Duke University was initiated to determine short term health effects of exposures to low levels of swine odors and dust on humans.
Impacts
Improvements in odor control from dispersion using stacks, ozonation, and improved waste management will assist livestock and poultry producers to develop sustainable production methods. Determination of short term health effects of exposure to swine odors on humans will help determine if air pollutant emission reductions are needed, and therefore if air cleaning systems must be developed.
Publications
- Bottcher, R.W. 2001. An environmental nuisance: odor concentrated and transported by dust. Chem. Senses 26:327-331.
- Bottcher, R.W., K.M. Keener, R.D. Munilla, and L.L. Oehrl-Dean. 2001. Measurement of odors and odorants in swine building airflow using aspirated fabric swatches and dust samples. pp. 513-518 in: Livestock Environment VI, Proceedings of the Sixth International Livestock Environment Symposium, R.R. Stowell, R. Bucklin, and R.W. Bottcher, eds. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659.
- Elmer, K.A., C.A. Rimbach, R.W. Bottcher, F.J. Humenik, J.J. Classen, J.M. Rice, T.A. van Kempen, E. van Heugten, K.D. Zering, J. Gregory, and J. Hardesty. 2001. Development of an energy efficient swine building using conveyor belts for manure handling. pp. 749-757 in: Livestock Environment VI, Proceedings of the Sixth International Livestock Environment Symposium, R.R. Stowell, R. Bucklin, and R.W. Bottcher, eds. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659.
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