Methods for Measuring Emissions from Agrarian Sources: FTIR Measurement Techniques with White-Cell, Large Chamber or Open-path

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1997 | No Comments

FTIR means: Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometry. Open dynamic chamber and FTIR are both interesting methods. With the large open-dynamic chamber, the factors influencing the emission rates can be better investigated. However the open-path technique is more appropriate for total emission measurements (ex: open animal housing).

Emission Reduction by Acidification of Slurry – Investigations and Assessment

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The effect obtained on lowering the emissions could be observed from storage up to application. Positive effects have been measured on the yields. The costs of acidification could be lower with the use of lower concentration acid and of lower degree of purity (as the production costs of acid of higher purity and concentration are more important). More investigations are needed to evaluate the effect of acidification on real scale production and also to measure emissions from arable land. The long time effect on soils of acidified manure has also to be evaluated.

Reducing Ammonia Emission from Pig Housing by Adding Acids Salts to the Feed

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In the Netherlands, ammonia emissions, considering the emission level of 1980, have to be reduced by 50 % in the year 2000 and by 70% in 2005. Research experiments are testing the promising combination of particular pen design and urine produced at a lower pH value. The replacement of chalk (CaCO3) by a mix of acid salts results in acidified urine and manure produced by the pigs. Ammonia reduction of 37% have been measured in 3 growing-finishing periods from pigs fed with the acid salts diet (ammonia emissions of 1.25 kg per pig- place per year) compared to pigs fed on a regular diet (1.99 kg ammonia per pig-place per year). For the manure produced by the pigs fed the acid salts diet, the manure had a pH value of 5.30 compared to 7.44 for the regular diet. The feed conversion ratio was also improved with the treatment diet from 2.64 compared to 2.72 for the regular diet. The costs associated with the use of acid salts have been evaluated at f 10.20 per pig place per year.

However the ammonia emission difference obtained between acid salts and the conventional diet is not significant. So the reduction of 37% cannot be considered as other factors than the acidic diet could have caused that difference. More repetitions are needed to confirm that the difference is from the different diet. The additional costs of $7.32 CAN (f 10.20) consider the improvement in the feed conversion and the lower feed needed.

Laboratory Study of Surface Aeration of Anaerobic Lagoons fo Odor Control of Swine Manure

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Fertilizers take action – A system is designed for reaching roots faster

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The mixing of mineral fertilizers to slurry or sludge to complete their fertilizing value becomes interesting with proper application systems that can mix both well. The mineral fertilizers becomes available more rapidly to the plants: the carrier to the root system being the slurry and not only the rain that can come sometimes later in the growing season. The application has to be done at ground level with dribble bars or injection systems. Those systems can be fitted to tanks or adapted to umbilicus systems that prevent ground compaction but are more time consuming for the set up and moving of the equipment. Four different applications methods for slurry and sludge are presented. The injection methods consume need high power input as the manure is injected at 12 to 18 cm with the wing coulters and 5 to 8 cm with the straight coulters, they are more time consuming and leave the ground cut up. Injection methods control well the odors and gas emission. Two other methods that leave the slurry at ground surface are presented: the slit roller and the dribble bar. The manure is applied at ground level and these methods allowing more odors and gas emissions. The slit roller opens a small grove in the soil of about 5 to 7 cm deep where the slurry is applied. As for the dribble bar, this system is the least power consumptive and the manure is applied on the ground level leaving the soil undisturbed. Splitter shoes can be adapted to the dribble bar thus limiting the shading of the plants when the manure is applied in growing crops. Irrigation systems using rain guns and sprinklers can also be used with de-fibered slurry however the odors and gas emissions are very important.

This active fertilizers approach is very interesting but relay on proper controls and analysis of the slurry content, the soil, the crop needs and management and the mineral fertilizers to be added to complete the slurry or sludge. The application method has to be chose according to the crop as injection may not be suitable in all field and the work rate and required a lot of power. However the injection right at the application time prevents odors and gas emissions which make slurry application more acceptable to neighbors.

Manure Storage Safety

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The purpose of this Engineering practice is to present known practices on manure storage and handling so hazards of manure gases to humans and livestock and potential drownings in storage facilities are minimized. The effect on humans and livestock of different gases such as hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide are presented with threshold levels. Safety measures, equipments and designs are also suggested.

Evaluating On-Farm Manure Storage Covers for Odor Control

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Air samples were collected from manure storage sites on varying locations throughout Minnesota. Odor was measured using standardized olfactormetry, and hydrogen sulfide measured using colormetric tubes. Preliminary data showed varying degrees of effectiveness in eliminating odor for locations stuidied.

Biofilter/Wetscrubber Combinations for the Reduction of Ammonia, Odour and Dust Emissions of Pig Fattening Houses

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Biological waste air purification from a pig-fattening house was tested with the use of a Biofilter/wetscrubber combination (BWC). The results showed that when the biofilter material was sprayed with tap water at an intensity of more than 50 l/m2 per day an efficiency of 90% was obtained in ammonia reduction for the overall BWC. When the biofilter was sprayed with the scrubbing liquid of the wetscrubber, the efficiency decreased to 50% and if no liquid is sprayed on the filter material, the efficiency goes as low as 13%. It is clear that the spraying of biofilter is essential for ammonia emission reduction. The BWC reduced dust emissions to as much as 80%. The air quality was also measured to verify the BWC treatment for odour reduction. However conclusions could not be drawn from olfactometric analysis because strong self-odour resulted from the filter material of BWC. The total costs of for the tested BWC range between DM 20.80 and DM 22.90 / fattened animal per year (14 to 15 U.S.$). Before doing the investment in the use of BWC other management methods should be considered and optimized (for example: feeding, manure storage).

This system is not simple and is quite expensive. The air coming from the livestock building is scrubber by spraying a mix of tap water (added to compensate for the evaporation) and recycled sludge (the sprayed liquid is being pump and sprayed again) and this air goes through the biofilter that is installed on the top of the scrubbing room. The liquid and the biofilter material have to be disposed and replaced at a certain time and this doesn’t seem to be considered in the costs.
1DM = 0.7942 $CAN (02/14/1998)

Development of a Dynamic Olfactometer Lab

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Quite interesting information are given on olfactometry, the apparatus, the panel selection and training, the sampling procedures and the evaluation of those samples.

Desodorisation du lisier de porc par le procede de biofiltration sur support BIOSORmc (Swine manure deodorization by BIOSOR TM biofilter)

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A pig farm has been the site of testing of pilot-scale biofilters of 1 m3 and 2 m3 to optimize the BIOSOR TM process. The swine manure going through the BIOSOR TM biofilter is deodorized and treated. The organic bed is made of wood chips, peatmoss and shredded bark. The swine manure is decanted; the liquid part goes to the biofilter and the sludge part is kept in a decanter-digester. BIOSOR TM biofilter removes 95% of the polluting load of the liquid part of the manure and 95% of the odor load (for part of the ventilation air is treated, from the storage, from the transportation and the spreading).

This is an interesting technology but it needs improvement to be integrated easily in the agricultural practices. The digested manure (decanted part) has to be spread in the field the using manure applicator and for now, the treated liquid part has also to be spread because its treatment is not complete. This liquid cannot be directly disposed in a creek because of its remaining pollution load. The liquid and sludge part has to be stored until spreading can be done duplicating storage facilities. Work is now done to complete the treatment of the liquid part.