A. Winkel

Ionization for reducing particulate matter emissions from poultry houses.

We evaluated the effect of ionization in reducing particulate and gaseous emissions in broiler houses and its effect on particle size distribution. Furthermore, we evaluated the performance of the tested ionization system and its influence on bird performance. The experiment was done during two consecutive rearing cycles in a pilot-scale broiler house with four identical rooms. We measured concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, airborne micro-organisms, ammonia, and odor of the incoming and outgoing air. Emissions were calculated by multiplying measured concentration difference of each pollutant by measured ventilation exchange rates. Performance of the system was evaluated through quantifying ion concentration, ozone production, and ultrafine particle concentration. Moreover, we recorded bird weight gain, consumption variables, mortality, exterior quality, and foot pad lesions. Overall measured mass emissions reductions were 36% for PM10 and 10% for PM2.5. Total mass was reduced less for PM2.5 because reduction efficiency decreased to the end of the growing period (P < 0.10). This coincided with increased particulate concentrations, increased ventilation exchange rates, and dust accumulation on surfaces. Higher reduction efficiencies were observed in relation to increased particle size. Ionization did not have a significant effect on micro-organism, ammonia, or odor emissions or on bird performance. Ionization proved to be a practical and effective technique for particulate reduction, with minimal maintenance required for use in broiler houses. It is recommended to evaluate the use of ionization in commercial broiler houses to validate these results.

Removal Efficiency of a Wire-to-plate Electrostatic Precipitator for Abatement of Particulate Matter Emission from Poultry Houses

Fan emissions from animal houses may contribute to elevated ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations and pose a public health hazard. In this study, we investigated whether a commercial prototype Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) could effectively remove PM from the exhaust air flow of poultry houses. The ESP consisted of (inlet to outlet) a mesh filter with automatic scraper, a fan (max. 27,000 m3 h–1) and one ionization unit (3.0 x 0.8 x 0.8; length x width x height), consisting of two horizontal electrode wires (+30 kV DC) and a grounded mesh conveyor belt running above the bottom of the ESP. The ESP was tested at two non-cage laying hen houses. In total, 16 pairs of upstream and downstream 24-hour measurements of PM10 and PM2.5 were made, spread over the calendar year. Mean removal efficiencies were 57% for PM10 and 45% for PM2.5 at mean PM loadings of 2.78 mg m–3 PM10 and 0.179 mg m–3 PM2.5. Removal efficiencies were generally higher in winter than summer. From this study, we conclude that the ESP is an effective measure for PM abatement at poultry house ventilation exhausts.

Emissions of aerial pollutants from poultry houses

For a better understanding of the present emissions of aerial pollutants from livestock production an extensive research project was started. The objective of this project was to provide emission figures that can be used to establish emission factors for aerial pollutants. Within this paper results from dust and ammonia emissions from broilers, layers floor housing, layers aviary housing, broiler breeders, and turkeys are reported. From the results it was concluded that the necessity of this study is shown by the high differences between measured PM10 emissions in this study and the emission factors estimated by conversion from total dust emissions in a previous study. Results show that PM2.5 contribution to PM10 is generally low (5 to 8%), except for turkeys where it was 47%.