Evaluation of Odor Control Technologies for Curtain-Sided Swine Barns

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A three step process being used to determine the best technologies for reducing odors from curtain-sided, deep-pit swine finishing barns has been funded. The planned three-step process to research and develop economic, viable and capable dor control systems for Minnesota curtain-sided, deep-pit finishing barns appears to be progressing well, The initial screening is partially completed and five different technologies are in the early implementation stge. Cooperators are coming on board and learning their part of the research. The fast track plan to implement the most promising systems seems to be a reasonable situation and will provide longer term solutions with reasonable data to compare more systems for the unique situaton in Minnesota.

Demonstration of Liquid Manure as a Fertility Source on Grassland

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Due to the short growing season and and change in cropping practices the window in which manure can be applied is becoming smaller. One solution to this scenario is the low distrubance injection of manure into grassland. The Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative (MLMMI) in cordination with the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Instiutute (PAMI) are determining the most suitable methods for use on grassland, as well monitoring odour and yield response for the various manure application methods.

Odor Emissions fromSwine Nursery Buildings

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Odour generates the largest number of complaints with respect to intensive livestock operations, howver the measurement of baseline odour levels is not widely available. This study intended to measure building odour emissions and gain further infromation for the development of odour impact guidelines for the pork production facilities. In order to achieve this two objectives were established: measure odour concentration and emsission from pif nursery facilities and assess the intensity and offensiveness of odour emitted by swine nurseries.

Two mechanically ventilated nurseries were used to measure odour concentration and offensiveness between March and May 1999. Odour threshold values were determined by a dynamic dilution, forced-choice olfactometre. The resultd indicate a relatively low sampling variance, with odour concentration of pit fans ranging from 94-635 OU averaging 190 OU.Outdoor odour concetration levels averaged 23 OU ranging from 7-85 OU. The arthimetic odour emission rate was 53% of the emission rate reported by Heber(1998) for swine finishing barns. While on the building floor area, the geometric mean of building odour emission was 42% of the value measured by Heber (1998) for finishing buildings. It appears that finishing pigs emit about 90% more odours per animal unit and 140% more per unit area than nursery pigs. Manure depth also seemed to positively influence the odour emission rate. Greater manure depths encourage more anaerobic microbial activities which cause production of more odourous gases.

Movement of Coliform Bacteria Through Riparian Buffer Systems Rceiving Swine Lagoon Wastewater

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Movement of total and fecal coliorms were studued in a riparian overland flow system receiving swine wastewater. Wastewater was applied in a single pulse during four different seasons, and soil water and groundwater were collected at four different depths and distances from the source. Total and fecal coliform bacteria survival was measured by sampling 2-4 days prior to wastewater application and 1, 3, 7, 14 and 90-120 days after the application of swine wastewater.

The results indicated that: 1) total and fecal bacteria counts did not decrease in the wastewater as water moved downslope regardless of vegatation type or season, 2) total and fecal coliform bacteria counts were different in the three types of vegatative filters used. 3) total and fecal coliform counts decreases by one magnitude every seven days regardless of the vegatative treatment orseason. 4) total and fecal coliform bacteria were positively correlated to groundwater temperature and soil moisture 5) total and fecal coliform levels were lower in groundwater immediately prrior to the application of swine wastwater and were usually less than the control (area of vegatation that previously had no wastewater applied).

Thermochemical Conversion of Swine Manure: A Process to Reduce Waste and Produce Liquid Fuel

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Production of carbon dioxide in a fattening pig house under field conditions. II. Release from the manure

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Field Evaluation of a Wet Pad Scrubber for Controlling Dust and Odor Emissions

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Previous studies(Wang, 1998) have shown a strong correlation between odor and dust levels. In this study a wet pad scrubber was installed in a tunnel ventilated swine finishing building in order to view the removal of dust and odors from airflow. The wetpad scrubber (washing wall system) was installed 4ft infront of the exhaust fans so all ventilation airflow passes through the system. Dust and ammonia levels were measured at the air inlet, upwind of the scrubber and downwind of the pad at low and high ventilation rates.

The scrubber did not initiate a static pressure drop, however was not very effective in evaporating water. Dust removal was very effective at low ventilation rates, reducing dust levels up to 65%, however dust levels were only reduced by 20% at ventilation rates typical of hot weather. Ammonia levels realized a small reduction of 6.7% at the low ventilation rate, but no difference was reported at the high ventilation rate. Except for the smallest particles, particles numbers were less after passing through the scrubber than after it. A chemical analysis of dust particles indictaed pehnols and mercaptans were absobed by dust particles wimilar to that of other studies. Phenol levels in the dust were not significantly different before and after the scrubber, however since duts levels were reduced total amount of phenols on the dust was reduced. At high ventilation rates consistent with hot weather, odour was reduced betwenn 13-17%. Results from this tsudy strongly suggest that odours emitted from swine buildings are strongly linked to dust, therefore odour intensity reduction are similar to dust reductions.

Technological Windows in Manure Treatment Systems for Quebec

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Manure and subsequent odours generated from intensive livestock operations is growing in public concern. To aid in promoting new manure treatment technologies the Quebec Ministery of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food established “Technological windows in manure treatment systems” (TW). These TW’s were established to better inform livestock producers and the public about new, or enhanced manure management technologies. The type and relative success of manure treatment and odour reduction of 1) anaerobic air ambient temperature, bisor biofiltration, bio-fert, Ppurin Par and Fan separator are outlined.

Effects of Organic Cover Biofilters on Odors from Liquid Manure Storage

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Odour complaints are the single largest source of complaints with respect to intensive livestock operations. One method of odour reduction is the use of a biofilter. These low-cost filtration systems have been succssful in reducing hydrogen sulfide and odour emission levels from livestock operations.

This study set out to examine the impact of a manure-soaked straw cover, water-soaked straw cover and a dry-straw cover on the odour and hydrogen sulfide emissions generated from a manure storage unit. Two trails were completed to evaluate the biofilters, the first trail lasted from April 1 – May 4, 1998 and the second trial lasted from June 4 – July 23, 1998. All samples were analyzed for hydrogen sulfide and odour threshold levels.

Hydrogen sulfide levels were influenced by two factors: difussion of the odour through the biofilter and dilution by the fresh air flowing acress the surface of the biofilter. The average hydrogen sulfide reduction for the first trial (April 1 – May4) from the straw soaked with manure was 95% and the straw soaked with water realized a 91% reduction. During the second phase of the trial the dry straw cover was compared with the water-soaked straw cover. Average hydrogen sulfide concentrations at the surface ranged from 1,145 – 2,037 ppb at the manure surface and 110 – 115 at the outlet for the dry straw cover. Representing a 92% H2S reduction rate. The wet straw cover averaged 573 – 847 ppb at the manure surface and 101 – 153 ppb at the outlets, representing a 81% reduction in concentration levels. The average H2S reduction of the control, no straw cover was 50% between the manure surface and the outlet.

Odour reduction with the wet straw was 55% while the straw soaked with manure was 45%. The manure soaked cover odour reduction was not as high because the manure in the straw contributed to emitting odours. Odour reduction levels were reduced 59% with the dry straw cover. The hydrogen sulfide and odour concentrations were not as high in the second study. This can be explained by the summer testing period, in which the higher temperature would increase microbial activity and therefore increase the amount of hydrogen sulfide and odour being emitted from the manure.

Yield and Nitrate Concentration in Sunsurface Drainage Water as a Function of N-Fertilizer Rate

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Drainage watrer quality and quantity and crop yield in a 22 ha field were measured since 1986. The field was in a corn-soybean rotation with N-fertilizer applied to the corn in spring. The data showed that even at the low N-fertilizer rate, nitrate-N concentrations were greater than the maximum contamination level (MCL) for drinking water in corn years and in all years for the M (9.81b Mg ha-1) and H (9.78b Mg ha-1) N-fertilzer treatments. Optium corn yields occurred between the l and M treatment in 1996 abd the M and H treatment in 1998. Therefore, maximum corn yield cannot be sustained in this particular field without producing drainage water that exceeds th MCL standrad set out by the EPA.