Source: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
MEASUREMENT AND MITIGATION OF ODOR AND AIR EMISSIONS FROM CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SPECIAL GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0200252
Grant No.
2004-34554-14683
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2004-06115
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2004
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2006
Grant Year
2004
Program Code
[XD]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
2229 Lincoln Way
AMES,IA 50011
Performing Department
AGRI & BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Non Technical Summary
Certain animal production facilities contribute to odor and gas concentrations that may be considered a nuisance to surrounding residents. This project will investigate the effectiveness of partial biofiltration of a critical minimum airflow to maximize odor and gas reduction from swine and poultry production housing.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
70%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1330410202020%
1330410309020%
1333299202010%
1333599202010%
3073299202010%
3073599202010%
3075330202010%
4047220309010%
Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 404 - Instrumentation and Control Systems; 307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
5330 - Farm structures and related facilities; 3299 - Poultry, general/other; 7220 - Sensory evaluation/analysis methods (human senses); 3599 - Swine, general/other; 0410 - Air;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 3090 - Sensory science (human senses);
Goals / Objectives
Specific objectives of the proposed research will include: 1). Develop a combined Mobile Emissions and Mobile Ambient Laboratory (ME/AL) for the purpose of evaluating emission mitigation strategies via the monitoring of aerial emissions and downwind concentrations of odors, noxious gases (NH3, H2S), greenhouse gases (NOx, CO2) and particulates (PM2.5, PM10, TSP) from CAFO's. 2). Using the developed ME/AL from objective one, evaluate one potential cost effective method to reduce the emissions and downwind concentrations of odors, gases, and particulates from a swine finishing facility and an egg laying facility. 3). Conduct outreach activities demonstrating basic scientific principles of air quality, mitigation design and implementation strategies for one example cost-effective building mitigation strategy.
Project Methods
This research project will investigate the gas and odor emission reduction potential from a deep-pit swine finisher and the manure storage building of a manure-belt laying hen operation using a strategy of partial (for swine) or full (poultry) biofiltration of the exhaust air. The partial biofiltration targets a critical minimum amount of exhausted air during stable weather conditions when emissions do not disperse readily near the source. The key idea is that ventilation air exhausted during the heat of summer days is exhausted into an atmosphere that is, for the vast majority of times, very unstable thus providing excellent and natural mixing potential near the building source. In more stable evening atmospheres, biofiltration of a critical minimum of exhaust ventilation air would reduce gas and odor emissions and the potential for large odor plumes to travel long distances. The overall effect could be a more attractive and affordable biofiltration strategy that maximizes odor and gas reduction potential when it is needed most. Objective one involves the development of a single mobile laboratory capable of monitoring both source emission rates of gases and particulates and the low-level ambient concentrations downwind from CAFO's. This mobile laboratory will then combine monitoring equipment developed and calibrated specifically for the higher concentrations of gases expected inside livestock and poultry facilities and the lower-level ambient concentrations expected downwind. Accordingly, this mobile laboratory will be referred to as a Mobile Emission/Ambient Laboratory (ME/AL). Objective two involves the development of a potential low-cost mitigation strategy to demonstrate, with the use of the developed ME/AL, the effectiveness in terms of building gas and particulate emission reduction and simultaneous downwind concentrations in the community of CAFO's. The proposal is to develop a biofiltration strategy that could be implemented by livestock and poultry producers to filter a 'critical minimum' amount of ventilation air that results in maximum benefit. To propose 100 percent biofiltration of ventilation exhaust air for high ventilation rates is not economically feasible. However, a strategy to treat only a critical minimum amount of ventilation air by biofiltration could maximize the emissions reduction benefit. Specific tasks involved with this objective are; 1). Retrofit an existing deep-pit swine finisher for biofiltration of a critical minimum amount of the hot weather ventilation, 2). Monitor the emissions and simultaneous downwind concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and odor from a biofiltered barn and compare these emissions from an identical on-site barn without biofiltration, and, 3). Provide design recommendations for critical minimum biofiltration strategies. To assess the mitigation effectiveness of a developed biofilter for treating a critical minimum airflow will require on-site implementation for both the biofilter and the ME/AL.

Progress 07/15/04 to 07/14/06

Outputs
The need to investigate cost-effective management practices or technologies to mitigate odor and gas emissions is more pressing than ever before. The effect of air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) continues to be a major issue in the surrounding rural community. The issue arises primarily from odors and health concerns. The specific objectives of this research project were to: 1) Develop a Combined Mobile Emission and Mobile Ambient Laboratory (ME/AL) for the purpose of evaluating emission mitigation strategies via the monitoring of aerial emissions and downwind concentrations of odors, noxious gases, greenhouse gases and particulates from CAFOs, 2) Using the developed ME/AL from objective one, evaluate cost effective methods to reduce emissions and downwind concentrations of odors, gases, and particulates from swine finishing and egg laying facilities and, 3) Conduct outreach activities demonstrating basic scientific principles of air quality and mitigation design and implementation strategies for reducing building and manure storage emissions. Objective one was completed with the development of two Mobile Emission/Mobile Ambient Laboratories. Objective two was satisfied where we have instrumented and evaluated a biofilter design at a cooperating producers deep-pit swine finishing site. We constructed and evaluated two versions of a biofilter in an attempt to find a strategy that would be accepted by producers. Our first biofilter, constructed of a mixture of compost and wood chips, proved to be too troublesome in terms of fan operating pressure and this design was subsequently abandoned. A redesigned biofilter was completed in July 2005 consisting entirely of wetted wood chips. This new design has resulted in an operating static pressure that will be acceptable to producers and has shown excellent reductions in ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, VOC, and odors. In addition to the swine ventilation air mitigation work described above, work was initiated and completed on research to reduce odors from poultry housing and storage systems. A series of lab-scale studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacies of various potential pre- and post-excretion emission mitigation strategies for laying hens. The strategies include dietary manipulation, physical configuration (surface to volume ratio) of manure storage stacks, and topical application of several treatment agents (Zeolite, alum Al2(SO4)3 14H2O, Ferix 3 Fe2(SO4)3 9H2O, and PLT NaHSO4) at three dosages per agent. Tasks related to objective three were started in 2006 with plans to continue in 2007. An air quality workshop was conducted in March 2006 on topics related to odor transport, biofilter design, manure amendments for odor control, and overall odor and gas mitigation strategies. This workshop was of great help in Atlantic, Iowa and Webster City, Iowa. Attendees included producer groups, concerned citizens, and representatives from Iowa regulatory agencies.

Impacts
Practical methods to mitigate air emissions from animal feeding operations will help the animal production industry to improve its environmental soundness while continuing to provide a safe and affordable food supply. This research focused on emission reduction strategies for gases originating from ventilated spaces. Ventilation air contains odorous gases, moisture, animal dander, and feed dust particles, and can represent a concentrated odor source. Biofiltering ventilation exhaust air is a strategy that has proven to be effective. However, for biofilters to be successful, designs must be developed that allow producers to use existing ventilation fan systems that operate at marginal increased costs. This research has shown producers that a properly designed biofilter can significantly reduce ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, VOC and odors emitted to the atmosphere, with controllable operational costs. Additionally, the need to reduce ammonia emissions from high-rise egg laying facilities has been identified as a priority area. Facilities that remove litter from egg laying facilities on a regular basis have shown substantially less ammonia emissions from the building complex but the issue of ammonia emission from the litter storage facility needs to be considered. This research has shown promising results on litter amendments to reduce ammonia emissions from stacked litter contained in litter storage facilities. The research highlights the importance of surface area/volume ratio on ammonia emission.

Publications

  • Li, H., H. Xin, and Y. Liang. 2005. Effects of stack surface to volume ratio and air exchange rate on ammonia emission of laying hen manure storage. Paper #1157. Air and Waste Management Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Liang, Y. H. Xin, H. Li, J. Koziel, L. Cai. 2005. Evaluation of treatment agents and diet manipulation for mitigating ammonia and odor emissions from laying hen manure. Paper # 054160. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASABE
  • Roberts, S. H. Xin, B. Kerr, J. Russsell, K. Bregendahl. 2005. Adding fiber to the diet of laying hens reduces ammonia emissions. Proc. of the Iowa Egg Industry Symposium, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa, pp 29-37.
  • Xin, H., H. Li, and Y. Liang. 2005. Update on ammonia emission mitigation for laying hen facilities. Proc. of the Iowa Egg Industry Symposium, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa, pp 38-46.
  • Cai, L., J.A. Koziel, Y.C. Lo, and S.J. Hoff. 2005. Characterization of volatile organic compounds and odorants associated with swine barn particulate matter using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry. J of Chromatography A, 1102(Issues1-2):60-72.
  • Huebner, M.A., S.J. Hoff, B.C. Zelle, and A.K. Gralapp. 2005. Paper 1067: Evaluation of Ambient Level Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia Static Samples Using Commercially Available Sampling Media. In: Proceedings of the Air & Waste Management Associations Conference, Minneapolis, MN: 21-24 June, Air and Waste Management Association: Pittsburgh, PA. (on CD-ROM).
  • Koziel, J.A., Y. Lo, L. Nielsen, S. Hoff, D. Wright, S. Trabue, and B. Kerr. 2005. Paper 996: The Use of SPME and Multidimensional GC-MS-Olfactometry System for Identification of Key Odorants from Swine Manure. In: Proceedings of the Air & Waste Management Associations Conference, Minneapolis, MN: 21-24 June, Air and Waste Management Association: Pittsburgh, PA. (on CD-ROM).


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
The effect of air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) continues to be a major issue in the surrounding rural community. The issue arises primarily from odors as a nuisance and secondly a potential health concern from exposure to ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and/or particulate matter. The need to investigate cost-effective management practices or technologies to mitigate such emissions, both at and downwind from the source, is more pressing than ever. Significant progress has been made towards the objectives outlined. Objective one has been completed with the development of a combined Mobile Emissions/Mobile Ambient Laboratory which is now fully operational. Objective two has been partially satisfied where we have secured a deep-pit swine finishing site for conducting biofilter research. We have constructed, as of now, two versions of a biofilter in our attempt to find a strategy that will be successful for producers. Our first biofilter, constructed of a mixture of compost and wood chips, proved to be too troublesome in terms of operating pressure for the fans and this design was subsequently abandoned. A recently redesigned biofilter was completed consisting entirely of wetted wood chips. This new design has resulted in an operating static pressure that will be acceptable to producers, allowing existing fans to be used. In addition to the swine ventilation air mitigation work described above, work is progressing on reducing odors from poultry housing and storage systems. A series of lab-scale studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacies of various potential pre- and post-excretion emission mitigation strategies for laying hens. The strategies include dietary manipulation, physical configuration (surface to volume ratio) of manure storage stacks, and topical application of several treatment agents (Zeolite, alum - Al2(SO4)3 14H2O, Ferix 3 - Fe2(SO4)3 9H2O, and PLT - NaHSO4) at three dosages per agent. Progress results were reported through conference or workshop papers/proceedings (ASABE, AWMA, Iowa Egg Industry Symposium). Tasks related to objective three have also started. An air quality conference is scheduled for March 2006 where biofilter design conditions that we have learned will be presented in two conferences in Iowa. In addition, biofilter design principles are being presented at 50 manure applicator certification courses throughout the state of Iowa.

Impacts
This research project focuses on emissions quantification work and potential low-cost mitigation strategies for swine and poultry facilities. This research will impact and benefit both CAFO producers and rural residents by a) systematically collecting science-based emission inventory data, with and without a mitigation strategy; b) providing unbiased and socially relevant analysis of health-related risks associated with CAFO air emissions; and c) identifying and developing emission mitigation techniques or practices. As land application and storage source reductions continue to progress, the remaining source for odors becomes the building itself. Ventilation air is typically exhausted into the ambient atmosphere without treatment. This exhaust air contains odorous gases, moisture, animal dander, and feed dust particles, and can represent a concentrated odor source. Biofiltering ventilation exhaust air is a strategy that has been proven to be effective. However, for biofilters to be successful, designs must be developed that allow producers to use existing ventilation fan systems and that operate at marginal increased costs. Practically feasible means to mitigate air emissions from animal feeding operations will ultimately help the animal production industry improve its environmental soundness and continue its ability to provide safe and affordable food supply to the population.

Publications

  • Liang, Y. H. Xin, H. Li, J. Koziel, L. Cai. 2005. Evaluation of treatment agents and diet manipulation for mitigating ammonia and odor emissions from laying hen manure. Paper # 054160. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASABE
  • Roberts, S. H. Xin, B. Kerr, J. Russsell, K. Bregendahl. 2005. Adding fiber to the diet of laying hens reduces ammonia emissions. Proc. of the Iowa Egg Industry Symposium, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa, pp 29-37.
  • Xin, H., H. Li, and Y. Liang. 2005. Update on ammonia emission mitigation for laying hen facilities. Proc. of the Iowa Egg Industry Symposium, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa, pp 38-46.
  • Cai, L., J.A. Koziel, Y.C. Lo, and S.J. Hoff. 2005. Characterization of volatile organic compounds and odorants associated with swine barn particulate matter using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry. J of Chromatography A, 1102(Issues1-2):60-72.
  • Li, H., H. Xin, and Y. Liang. 2005. Effects of stack surface to volume ratio and air exchange rate on ammonia emission of laying hen manure storage. Paper #1157. Air and Waste Management Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Huebner, M.A., S.J. Hoff, B.C. Zelle, and A.K. Gralapp. 2005. Paper 1067: Evaluation of Ambient Level Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia Static Samples Using Commercially Available Sampling Media. In: Proceedings of the Air & Waste Management Associations Conference, Minneapolis, MN: 21-24 June, Air and Waste Management Association: Pittsburgh, PA. (on CD-ROM).
  • Koziel, J.A., Y. Lo, L. Nielsen, S. Hoff, D. Wright, S. Trabue, and B. Kerr. 2005. Paper 996: The Use of SPME and Multidimensional GC-MS-Olfactometry System for Identification of Key Odorants from Swine Manure. In: Proceedings of the Air & Waste Management Associations Conference, Minneapolis, MN: 21-24 June, Air and Waste Management Association: Pittsburgh, PA. (on CD-ROM).


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
This project is designed to implement and assess odor mitigation startegies from swine and poultry facilities. Our progress in calendar year 2004 has been as follows: 1. We have modified an existing swine finishing facility with a compost-based biofilter for assessing odor and gas mitigation. 2. We have completely instrumented this biofilter and facility for gas emission and electrical energy use measurements. 3. We have set-up a complete mobile laboratory on-site and are now collecting environmental parameters from this biofilter facility and an adjacent control barn. We are collecting data on 1 second intervals and will continue to do so until project termination.

Impacts
Biofiltration is an odor and gas mitigation strategy that has been proven to work very well. However, it is felt that this strategy will result in excessive electrical energy consumption. This research will provide energy and mitigation efficiency results that can be used to help devise a cost-effective strategy for biofiltration. Our concept of "partial biofiltration" will be a promising alternative for producers requiring odor and gas emission.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period