The University of Illinos Digester – Principles of Operation

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All the digestor components and the system operation are presented . However no information are presented on the performances of the digestor. This project has encountered many obstacles as the product and by-products of the anaerobic digestion are aggressive on the equipment also an optimal set up is difficult to find.

Selecting Fans for Livestock Buildings

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In Canada the range of weather conditions is wide, from summer heat to winter cold, that the ventilation rate in livestock and poultry buildings can vary by a factor of at least 16 times. This plan explains alternative ways of obtaining this wide range in fan-ventilated buildings. The principle of stepped ventilation using several different-sized fans is explained and compared with control schemes using two-speed, multispeed or variable-speed fans. This plan also discusses other important considerations in choosing fans and controls for ventilating modern livestock and poultry buildings.

Aerobic Manure Treatment – Environmental, Energy and Fertilization Results

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Aeration experiments have been done over 13 years in Norway in order to evaluate the treatment done to swine and dairy manure and the changes in the manure parameters. The motivation for this experimentation was to overcome the known disadvantages associated with liquid manure. Odour and viscosity reductions have been observed as a result to aeration. In order to kill pathogens, parasites and weed seeds, the aeration time as to be long (3 to 4 weeks before spreading) and insulation of the manure storage facility helps reach elevated process temperatures. The efficiency of the aeration treatment on the manure is increased when the temperature reaches 40 to 50 C. The heat produced when the aeration is done in an insulated system can be recovered. Aeration done under the slatted floor in the swine building is not recommended as excessive evaporation occur and some conditions can present a risk for H2S poisoning.

The emissions resulting of such treatment have not been evaluated. Losses in nitrogen can be important with such treatment and the value of the manure in the nutrient cycle is than lowered.

Troubleshooting Livestock and Poultry Ventilation Problems

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The troubleshooting tables in this leaflet describe some of the problems that occur in livestock and poultry buildings, list the possible causes and suggest remedies. Contained within the tables are issues such as ventilation, controllers, heating, drafts and insulation.

First Trials of Swine manure Odor Control with Depth Aaeration and "Oligolyse"

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Two odor control methods, aerobic deodorizing and oligolyse, were tested for a 120 days period on two different farms having a production of 1500 to 2000 fattening pigs a year. The manure was stored outside the building in a storage basin for the aerobic deodorizing and inside in a pit under the slatted floor for the oligolyse treatment. The aerobic deodorizing consisted of aeration made by 4 aerators (2 submersible pump types and 2 screw types) working on 20 minutes/hour cycles. The oligolyse is a process where an electric potential is created between an copper electrode and a coal one that are placed at a certain distance in the manure. As a result, metallic cations are released from the copper electrode into the manure. Those cations have a sterilizing action on the microorganisms responsible for anaerobical fermentation and malodorous gases production. Results showed that both systems reduced significantly the smell of the manure compared to the untreated on. However, the oligolyse cost 40 to 45% less than the aerobic deodorizing when considering energy cost, and fixed costs.

This experiment was done on only two different storing facilities with no replicate. The results obtained are interesting but more experiments are needed to verify those results. The agronomic value of the manure treated with oligolyse has also to be determined as copper cations are added in the process..

Estimating the Energy Saving Potential for Heat Exchangers in Swine Buildings

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For both design and evaluation purposes, it would be useful to have a method for estimating energy saving when a heat exchanger is installed in a specific building. This heat exchanger analysis is part of ongoing work in the development of an overall ventilation design, analysis, and management model. The BIN method is used to calculate seasonal energy usage with and without a heat exchanger in the building. A series of test analyses was conducted to compare predicted energy savings as functions of minimum ventilation rate, percent slatted floor, heat exchanger effectiveness, and number of animals in the building. Energy saved by a heat exchanger is dependent on the minimum ventilation rate. If it is desirable to increase minimum ventilation rate for air quality purposes, the addition of a heat exchanger could keep energy costs at or near their previous level. Heat exchangers will generate the largest annual savings in buildings that are large energy consumers. Seasonal heating costs may be reduced by one half as percent slotted floor increases from 50 to 100%. Effect of slotted floor in terms of energy savings is similar with or without a heat exchanger.

Olfaktometrie Geruchsschwellenbestimmung – Olfactometry Odour Threshold Determination – Sampling

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Guidelines are given for the sampling procedure for odour measurements with an olfactometer considering two sampling methods: the dynamic sampling where partial flow of the sample is continuously taken from the source and directly used to supply the olfactometer on demand and the static sampling where odorous samples are collected in vessels which are later connected to the olfactometer. General considerations are given regarding the sampling such as the possible condensation in the vessel or the instruments used, the interaction with the sample and the condensation surface and reactions among the odorants involved. The dynamic sampling and the static sampling methods are presented with figures showing the basic apparatus. Dynamic odour measurements are recommended for emission source that present stable period of odour concentration emissions, at least during the course of a single measurement. This method also presents advantages because of the short time elapsing between the sampling and the analysis; less chemical reactions in the sample can occur.

The sampling procedures are well presented and explained but not enough specific information is given for the apparatus. This could lead to differences between samplings done over long periods of time and also sampling and analysis done by different laboratory which could use the same sampling methods but no the same apparatus. References to VDI 3881 Part 1.

Recommandations pour la qualite des eaux au Canada

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This guide presents all biological and chemical elements that can be found in the water with their impact on the quality when considering recreational uses, aquatic life or for consumption by animals or humans. Basic information on the processes involved with the contamination of water by these elements, the chemical and bacteriological reactions and the consequence on the environment and health are presented.

The guide consulted was in French but English version are also available. It is a very big guide and covers many possible contaminants that are not a concern in agriculture. However it contains interesting information particularly for nitrogen and bacteria. Most of the elements in the guide present a threat to health at high concentration.

Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function in Farmers

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Respiratory effects and dust exposure in hog confinement farming

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