A portable, wireless H2S detection system developed by researchers at Iowa State University will be one of the topics of discussion during the 2009 Upper Midwest Manure Handling Expo being held July 22 in Boone, Iowa. Initially, several different commercially available H2S sensors were tested by ISU researchers in a controlled laboratory environment. From those results, a prototype wireless H2S detection system was developed for testing in swine housing by
commercial slurry applicators. A two-piece prototype consisting of a battery operated sensor/transmitter and receiver was constructed. The sensor/transmitter is placed in the swine housing area before agitation/removal begins; the
operator can then monitor H2S concentrations from outside the building. An operatorprogrammed visual/audio alarm can be set to activate at a desired concentration to alert the operator of dangerous H2S conditions. Once
alerted, the operator can take action to dissipate the H2S gas. Testing confirmed that if monitored, dangerous levels of H2S gas can be dissipated by adjusting ventilation during slurry agitation and removal. This testing also showed
that eliminating above surface slurry agitation greatly reduces H2S burst releases. Additional information about the wireless H2S detection system will be provided during an educational session at the 2009 Upper Midwest Manure Handling Expo in Boone, Iowa (http://www.ag.iastate.edu/wastemgmt/expo_home.htm ). Results from field testing and H2S mitigation techniques will also be discussed by the development team.