Bo-Won Kim

Effect of slurry treatment approaches on the reduction of major odorant emissions at a hog barn facility in South Korea

ABSTRACT The characteristics of malodor released from piggery excreta samples were investigated by measuring their emission concentrations both before and after such treatments as composting or aeration from field sites. These samples were then collected from field sites and brought into the lab for analysis with the aid of the dynamic flux chamber method. The dominating compounds in the emissions were reduced sulfur compounds, phenol, and indole. The results were examined in terms of two key odor indices: odor intensity (OI) and odor activity values (OAVs), after being grouped by some criteria. When the odor contribution in the composting facility was assessed by the OAV value, methanethiol (53.1%), trimethylamine (TMA) (25.5%), and skatole (10.1%) were dominant in the pretreatment facilities, while skatole (64.7%) and p-cresol (27.9%) in the post-treatment specimens. Likewise, in the liquid treatment facility, hydrogen sulfide (47.4%), p-cresol (26.9%), and skatole (20.2%) were dominant in the pretreatment, while only p-cresol (73.6%) in the post-treatment. In comparison to the composting facility, the liquid treatment facility proved to be more efficient in the treatment of diverse hog-barn-related odorants.

Estimation of emission factor for odorants released from swine excretion slurries

In this study, the odorant emission rates from excretory wastes collected in sealed containers from a large swine facility were determined offsite in a laboratory using both raw slurry from ([1] windowless pigpen (WP) and [2] open pigpen (OP)) and treated waste samples ([3] composting facility (CF) and [4] slurry treatment facility (SF)). The emission rates of up to 41 volatile odorants were measured for 100g waste samples (of all four types) in a 0.75L impinger with an air change rate of 8h(-1). The initial emission rates (mgkg(-1)·h(-1)) for the most dominant species from each waste type can be summarized as: (1) WP: NH3 (16.3) and H2S (0.54); (2) OP: H2S (1.78), NH3 (1.69), and p-cresol (0.36); (3) CF: NH3 (7.04), CH3SH (0.30), and DMS (0.12); and (4) SF: NH3 (11.7), H2S (11.7), and p-cresol (0.25). Accordingly, the emission factors for the key odorant (mE, kg·pig(-1))) for fattening pigs in the WP and OP facilities of S. Korea were extrapolated as 3.46 (NH3) and 0.38 (H2S), respectively. The emission factors were estimated assuming exponentially decaying emission rates and slurry production rates obtained from the literature.

The reproducibility of indoor air pollution (IAP) measurement: a test case for the measurement of key air pollutants from the pan frying of fish samples.

To assess the robustness of various indoor air quality (IAQ) indices, we explored the possible role of reproducibility-induced variability in the measurements of different pollutants under similar sampling and emissions conditions. Polluted indoor conditions were generated by pan frying fish samples in a closed room. A total of 11 experiments were carried out to measure a list of key variables commonly used to represent indoor air pollution (IAP) indicators such as particulate matter (PM: PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) and a set of individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with some odor markers. The cooking activity conducted as part of our experiments was successful to consistently generate significant pollution levels (mean PM10: 7110 μg m−3 and mean total VOC (TVOC): 1400 μg m−3, resp.). Then, relative standard error (RSE) was computed to assess the reproducibility between different IAP paramters measured across the repeated experiments. If the results were evaluated by an arbitrary criterion of 10%, the patterns were divided into two data groups (e.g., <10% for benzene and some aldehydes and >10% for the remainders). Most noticeably, TVOC had the most repeatable results with a reproducibility (RSE) value of 3.2% (n = 11).

Emission Characteristics of Odorous Sulfur Gases from Food Types: A Case Study on Boiled Egg, Milk, Canned Meat, and Strawberry

In this study, the emission patterns of reduced sulfur compounds (RSC) were investigated using four different types of food samples (boiled egg, milk, canned meat and strawberry) between fresh and decaying stages. To this end, the concentrations of RSCs were measured at storage days of 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 under room temperature. Four sulfur compounds (, , DMS and DMDS) were selected as target compounds along with two reference compounds ( and ). Their concentrations were quantified using GC-PFPD equipped with thermal desorption (TD) system. The boiled egg showed the highest concentration of (3,655 ppb) at D-1, while reached its maximum value of 64.4~78.5 ppb after 3 days. In milk samples, concentration of , DMS, and DMDS went up to 487, 16.3, and 578 ppb, respectively with the progress of decay (D-9). In case of canned meat, concentration of and peaked in the beginning (D-0) such as 345 and 66.6 ppb. In case of strawberry, and DMDS showed the maximum concentrations 135 and 50.5 ppb at D-1, respectively. The olfactometry dilution-to-threshold (D/T) ratio by air dilution sensory (ADS) test showed similar patterns when sum of odor intensity (SOI) was derived via conversion of odorant concentration data. The results of this study confirm that the time of strong RSC emissions is distinguished for each food type between fresh (e.g., strawberries) and decaying conditions (e.g., milk).

A Study of Odorants and Volatiles Released from Pork Belly Meat When Treated by Different Cooking Methods

Pork belly meat is one of the most preferred food items for many Korean people. The odorants released from cooking of pork belly meat were measured by three kinds of cooking methods (Charcoal-grill (C), Electric Pan (E), and Gas burner-pan (G)). A total of 16 target compounds including carbonyl compounds, volatile organic compounds, and poly aromatic hydrocarbon were selected and analyzed for comparative purposes. Their emission concentrations were quantified using HPLC-UV, GC-MS, GC-TOF-MS, etc. The gas samples collected by Charcoal-grill cooking showed generally enhanced concentrations of most target compounds among all three kinds of cooking methods. In Charcoal-grill, concentration of benzene, formaldehyde and pyrene went up to 543, 516, and 402 ppb, respectively. It the results are compared in terms of the sum of odor intensity, the highest value (4.25) was also seen from Charcoal-grill. The results of this study confirm that the significantly reduced emission of harmful pollutants can be attained, it pork belly meat is cooked by the Gas or electric pan instead of Charcoal-grill.

Odor and VOC Emissions from Pan Frying of Mackerel at Three Stages: Raw, Well-Done, and Charred

Many classes of odorants and volatile organic compounds that are deleterious to our wellbeing can be emitted from diverse cooking activities. Once emitted, they can persist in our living space for varying durations. In this study, various volatile organic compounds released prior to and during the pan frying of fish (mackerel) were analyzed at three different cooking stages (stage 1 = raw (R), stage 2 = well-done (W), and stage 3 = overcooked/charred (O)). Generally, most volatile organic compounds recorded their highest concentration levels at stage 3 (O), e.g., 465 (trimethylamine) and 106 ppb (acetic acid). In contrast, at stage 2 (W), the lowest volatile organic compounds emissions were observed. The overall results of this study confirm that trimethylamine is identified as the strongest odorous compound, especially prior to cooking (stage 1 (R)) and during overcooking leading to charring (stage 3 (O)). As there is a paucity of research effort to measure odor intensities from pan frying of mackerel, this study will provide valuable information regarding the management of indoor air quality.

The Analysis of Time Series of SO 2 Concentration and the Control Factor in An Urban Area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The environmental behavior of SO2 was investigated in terms of the factors affecting the temporal variabilities by analyzing the data sets obtained from the Yongsan district in Seoul from 2004 till 2013. To this end, the relationship between SO2 and relevant parameters including particulate matters (such as PM2.5, PM10, and TSP (total suspended particulates)) and gaseous components (CH4, CO, THC (total hydrocarbon), NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbon), NO, NO2, NOx, and O3) was investigated in several aspects. Over a decade, the annual mean concentrations of SO2 varied in the range of 4.36-5.86 nmole mole �1 (min-max) which was about five times lower than the regulation guideline set for the air quality management in Korea. In fact, this pattern greatly contrasts with some other air pollutants of which concentrations exceeded their guideline values significantly. According to our analysis, SO2 was strongly correlated to the temperature and other relevant parameters. The overall results of this study confirm that the administrative regulation of SO2 levels has been made effectively relative to other airborne pollutants.

Emission Characteristics of Odorous Gases with the Decay of Albumin and Yolk of Boiled Egg

In this study, the concentration of odorants released from albumin (EA) and yolk (EY) portions of boiled egg samples were determined as a function of storage time. The concentrations were measured at storage days of 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 under room temperature. As such, odorants produced during both fresh and decay conditions were measured through time. A total of 19 compounds were selected as the main target odorants along with 12 reference compounds. GC-MS (for VOC) and GC-PFPD system (for sulfur gases) equipped with thermal desorption (TD) system were employed for odorant analysis in this work. The initial concentrations measured from the chamber system were converted into flux terms (ng∙g∙min). The EA showed the highest concentration of H2S (234 ng∙g ∙min) at EA-0, and the concentrations of AT (Acetone) was also seen clearly in the range of 11.7 (EA-0) to 58.6 ng∙g∙ min (EA-9). The EY showed similar patterns. EtAl (Ethyl alcohol) increased 9.47 (EA-1) to 96.7 ng∙g∙min (EA-9) in EA samples. Ketone, alcohol, sulfur groups generally exhibited high concentrations compared to other odorants. These data were also compared in relation to olfactometry related dilution-to-threshold (D/T) ratio by air dilution sensory (ADS) test and sum of odor intensity (SOI).

Emission characteristics of volatile organic compounds released from spray products

Many kinds of liquid spray products are used in livelihood activities these days. Spray products can be distinguished by the target to be sprayed (like into the air or on human skin (body)). Because human can be exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted from spray products, some considerations on safety or hazard of spray products should be needed. In this study, emission characteristics of VOCs were investigated against 10 types of liquid spray products (6 skin spray and 4 air spray products). The concentrations of benzene and toluene were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipped with a thermal desorber (TD). Their average concentrations from 6 skin spray products exhibited () and ppb(w), respectively. In contrast, those of 4 air spray samples had and ppb(w), respectively. If liquid contents in spray samples are completely vaporized in one cubic meter (1 m3) after spraying for 10 seconds, their mean concentrations of skin spray products are (benzene) and (toluene). In contrast, those of air spray products are (benzene) and (toluene). The estimated concentration levels of benzene from two types of products (31.7 and ) exceeded the Korean atmospheric environmental guideline (). The results of this study thus suggest that some measures should be made to reduce or suppress the contents of VOC in spray products.