David R. Schmidt

Continuous monitoring of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and dust emissions from swine, dairy and poultry barns

Three naturally ventilated animal buildings (swine, dairy, and turkey) were monitored ncontinuously for a 10-day period during the summer and a 10-day period in the winter of 2001 for nhydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Grab samples of dust and odor were also made during these nmonitoring periods. Emissions of ammonia were similar to that found in European literature. nSignificant variations were found between winter and summer emissions on the turkey barn. nAmmonia emissions did not increase with increasing building ventilation rate.

Using a Wind Tunnel to Determine Odor and Gas Fluxes from Manure Surfaces

A standard wind tunnel design for measuring gas fluxes from area sources is needed. This npaper documents an attempt to design and test such a wind tunnel. Key parameters evaluated were ntunnel wind speed, horizontal and vertical velocity profiles, and filter efficiency. Bulk speed in the nwind tunnel can be varied between 0.1 and 1.2 m/s. The velocity profiles in the tunnel are fairly nuniform and consistent. The activated charcoal filter on the inlet side of the wind tunnel reduced odor nup to 85%, ammonia by 99% and hydrogen sulfide by 99%. Limited data on VOC reductions showed nup to 100% reduction in some compounds but increases in other compounds.

Evaluation of OFFSET (Odor Setback Model) Using Neighborhood Monitors

A comparison between observed and predicted odor intensities at neighbors living in the nvicinity of various livestock farms in 5 different Minnesota counties was made to evaluate an odor nsetback tool developed by the University of Minnesota. In 309 out of 570 reported odor events the nfarms participating in the investigation were the probable odor sources. In 199 (64%) of these an nodor less than intensity 2 was predicted but an odor intensity equal to 2 or above was reported. In 99 ncases (32%) the predicted and reported odor intensity was in agreement, being either higher than 2 nor below 2. Regarding all observations the observed odor intensity was significantly higher than the npredicted. Possible reasons for these mixed results are; variations in odor rating and sensitivity of nresident recorders, wind speed fluctuations, possible errors and fluctuations in odor emissions from neach farm (only one emission measurements were made at each farm), topographic variation nbetween sites since OFFSET assumes flat surfaces, and background emissions from other sources nthat may have contributed to what resident recorders were smelling.

A Two-Year Study of the Effectiveness of Geotextile Covers to Reduce Odor and Gas Emissions from Manure Storages

Odor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured nbetween May and October 2000, and between April and October 2001 at three sites in Southwest Minnesota. Each nsite consisted of a pair of farms (nursery N1A, N1B; 2,000-head finishing F2A, F2B; 3,000-head finishing F3A, F3B). nA manure storage from each pair was selected as treatment, where a geotextile cover (BioCap .) was installed. nResults showed that there was a significant deterioration of the performance of geotextile covers in reducing odor and ngas emissions from manure storages on the second year of the study. Odor emissions were, in average, reduced by n48% over the two-year period. Emission rates were reduced by 90% in terms of H2S in the first year, but no nsignificant differences were found between covered and non-covered manure storages in 2001. NH3 emissions were, nin average, reduced by 44% in 2001. No significant differences in total-VOC emissions from covered and noncovered nmanure storages were observed during the two-year study. Analysis of the ambient H2S data suggested that nthe covers were effective in reducing ambient H2S concentrations near manure storages located at the two finishing nsites. Odor and gaseous emission rates from all sites were poorly correlated with most manure characteristic nparameters (nutrients, solids, organic matter, VOCs).

Odor and gas emissions from a naturally crusted swine manure storage

Odor, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds were measured nover a period of five months at two swine manure storages in the summer of 2000. One of the nstorages developed a natural crust. Results showed that the natural crust seems to be able to nsignificantly reduce H2S emissions from swine manure storages. The natural crust also helped nreduce odor, NH3, and other VOC emissions from the manure storage, but reductions were not nstatistically significant. The effect of the natural crust was to cause an increase on the nconcentration of most parameters in manure. The natural crust seems to be particularly effective nin trapping sulfide compounds.

ODOR AND HYDROGEN SULFIDE EMISSION FROM A DAIRY MANURE STORAGE

Ambient H2S air concentrations were measured continuously for a period of approximately 30days around a manure storage basin at a 700-dairy cow operation in Minnesota. Manure wasagitated and pumped from the basin during the first week of monitoring. Odor samples were takenon two different occasions during the monitoring period using a wind tunnel placed just above themanure basin surface. Odor plume measurements were also made, but on a single day only. Barn emissions did not seem to contribute much to hydrogen sulfide concentrations measuredaround the manure storage. This was verified by sorting the H2S measurements obtained whenwind was blowing from the barn toward the manure storage for the two monitors located at thesouth side of the basin. Mean H2S concentrations downwind of the barn were between 0.02 and5.7 ppb, while mean H2S concentrations around the storage varied between 0.9 and 20 ppb. A limited number of odor samples taken during the monitoring period suggested that the manurestorage contributed significantly to odor emission as compared to the barn. Emission from thestorage was between 7 and 10 OU/m2-s, while emission from the barn was between 2 and 3OU/m2-s. Odor plume measurements taken at 60 and 120 m downwind from the barn indicated adecrease of 10 OU per 60 m.

Evaluation and Demonstration of Treatment Options for Dairy Parlor and Milk House Wastewater

Four different types of milk house wastewater treatment systems were installed on working dairy farms nvarying in size from 50-130 cows. The treatment systems demonstrated include two types of aerobic treatment units; ntwo bark beds and spray irrigation. All of the systems include a primary treatment septic tank. In addition to system nperformance, design, management and economic aspects are being evaluated. nWater flow data was collected on eleven farms for one year with a range of a flow rates from 360 to 1670 liters/day n(L/d) (95 - 441 gallons per day (gpd)) or from 11.0 – 24.2 L/d/cow (2.9 – 6.4 gpd/cow). Preliminary influent data has nshown an average BOD5 of 2220 mg/L, COD of 3360 mg/L, TSS of 1030 mg/L and FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) of n650 mg/L. The aerobic treatment units preliminary removal efficiencies for BOD5, COD, TSS, and FOG ranged from n44-94%, 32-94%, 61-82%, and 71-98%, respectively. The bark bed systems have worked without a problem nalthough water samples from within the beds have not yielded sufficient quantities for analysis. The irrigation system ndid experience some freezing and odor issues but continued to operate through the winter. The average equipment nand installation cost was nearly

Hydrogen Sulfide Dispersion, Summary of Model Farms

10,000 with a range of

ODOR MITIGATION FOR CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS: WHITE PAPER AND RECOMMENDATION

6,200 -

Comparison of measured and modeled ambient hydrogen sulfide concentrations near a 4000 head swine facility

14,400. Challenges have arisen with higher than nexpected organic loading, colder than normal temperatures with little snow cover.