Jun-Ik Song

Time dependence of ethylene decomposition and byproducts formation in a continuous flow dielectric-packed plasma reactor

This work investigated the decomposition of ethylene in a continuous flow dielectric-packed bed plasma reactor filled with various packing materials at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. When compared to the case without any packing material, the reactor filled with packing materials remarkably facilitated the plasma-induced decomposition of ethylene in the order of α-alumina>silica>zirconia>glass wool (GW). Under identical condition, the increase in the decomposition efficiency (DE) with increasing the specific energy input was more rapid in the plasma reactor filled with the packing materials than in the blank plasma reactor. In the early stage, almost complete decomposition of ethylene was observed with the α-alumina, but after a certain period of time, the DE decreased with time. Unlike the α-alumina, the other packing materials examined did not show any significant deterioration in the decomposition over time during 10-h operation. After the regeneration of the used packing materials by using the plasma in the presence of oxygen, the original decomposition performance was nearly recovered. The decrease in the BET surface area due to the formation of polymer deposits was observed in the used α-alumina and silica; however the surface area was almost regained by the regeneration. While no other byproducts except carbon oxides and N2O were detected with the α-alumina and silica, methane, acetylene, formaldehyde and N2O were identified in the effluent gas with the zirconia and GW packing materials.

A Survey on Current State of Odor Emission and Control from Livestock Operations

This survey was conducted to investigate the current state of odor emission and control from 48 site of Hanwoo, dairy, swine and poultry farms in Korea. On-site complex odors assessment by the method of 6 step direct sensory evaluation and ammonia concentrations by portable gas detector on the boundary line of farms were evaluated and detected as 1.11 & 2.78 ppm, 1.67 & 2.56 ppm, 1.91 & 2.89 ppm, 1.8 & 2.4 ppm and 1.33 & 2.33 ppm, respectively. Almost of Hanwoo, dairy and poultry farms were nothing the complaints occurred for the last 2 years, however as 60% of swine farms were suffered odor complain. All of livestock operations were used the additives for improving the farm environment and spent the considerable costs for odor reduction. There were several plans almost farms, as a fortify maintenance, keep clean, tree planting, expansion facilities for manure treatment or odor reduction.(Key words : On-site odor, Complex odors, Ammonia, Livestock operations)

The Survey for Ventilation Systems of Weaned Pig House in Korea

This survey was conducted to give the basic information for ventilation systems of weaned pig house to establish the acceptable ventilation system in Korea. A total of 11 farms were surveyed in this study and 1 more farm in each province was regionally selected. The general information, inlet and outlet ventilation system, alley in house, space allowance of weaned pigs and manure management were surveyed. Space allowance of weaned pig in 82% of surveyed farms met the legal standard. Side wall inlet and outlet ventilation system were 82% and 73% of surveyed farms, respectively. Moreover, 73% farms have alley in the pig house to control temperature of inlet air. In this survey, both planar slot and circular duct inlet system and side wall fan outlet system could be a favorable ventilation system in weaned pig house.(Key words : Weaned pig, Ventilation, Alley, Insulation)

Dynamics of Air Temperature, Velocity and Ammonia Emissions in Enclosed and Conventional Pig Housing Systems

This study aimed to compare the dynamics of air temperature and velocity under two different ventilation and housing systems during summer and winter in Korea. The NH3 concentration of both housing systems was also investigated in relation to the pig’s growth. The ventilation systems used were; negative pressure type for the enclosed pig house (EPH) and natural airflow for the conventional pig house (CPH). Against a highly fluctuating outdoor temperature, the EPH was able to maintain a stable temperature at 24.8 to 29.1°C during summer and 17.9 to 23.1°C during winter whilst the CPH had a wider temperature variance during summer at 24.7 to 32.3°C. However, the temperature fluctuation of the CPH during winter was almost the same with that of EPH at 14.5 to 18.2°C. The NH3 levels in the CPH ranged from 9.31 to 16.9 mg/L during summer and 5.1 to 19.7 mg/L during winter whilst that of the EPH pig house was 7.9 to 16.1 mg/L and 3.7 to 9.6 mg/L during summer and winter, respectively. These values were less than the critical ammonia level for pigs with the EPH maintaining a lower level than the CPH in both winter and summer. The air velocity at pig nose level in the EPH during summer was 0.23 m/s, enough to provide comfort because of the unique design of the inlet feature. However, no air movement was observed in almost all the lower portions of the CPH during winter because of the absence of an inlet feature. There was a significant improvement in weight gain and feed intake of pigs reared in the EPH compared to the CPH (p<0.05). These findings proved that despite the difference in the housing systems, a stable indoor temperature was necessary to minimize the impact of an avoidable and highly fluctuating outdoor temperature. The EPH consistently maintained an effective indoor airspeed irrespective of season; however the CPH had defective and stagnant air at pig nose level during winter. Characteristics of airflow direction and pattern were consistent relative to housing system during both summer and winter but not of airspeed. The ideal air velocity measurement favored the EPH and therefore can be appropriate for the Korean environment. Further emphasis on its cost effectiveness will be the subject of future investigations.

A Study on Dispersion Characteristics of Odor from Hanwoo and Dairy Farms

This study was conducted to investigate the dispersion prediction of odor from Hanwoo and dairy farms. Gaussian Plume model used in considering of farm size, wind velocity, atmospheric stability and threshold odor unit to prediction of odor dispersion based on the survey on current state of odor emission and control from 9 site of Hanwoo and 9 site of dairy farms. Farm size, wind velocity and atmospheric stability were affected the distance of odor dispersion, showed longer distance in cases of large farm, low wind velocity and stable atmospheric condition. We will suggestion the adjusted distance of odor dispersion according to farm size was estimated to 50~100 m in Hanwoo farm and 50~150 m in dairy farm when apply the 3OU, 5 m/s wind velocity and stable atmospheric condition.

A Study on Dispersion Characteristics of Odor from Swine Farms

This study was conducted to investigate the dispersion prediction of odor from swine farms in Korea. Gaussian Plume model used in considering of farm size, wind velocity, atmospheric stability and threshold odor unit to prediction of odor dispersion based on the survey on current state of odor emission and control from 48 site of swine farms. Farm size, wind velocity and atmospheric stability were affected the distance of odor dispersion, showed longer distance in cases of large farm, low wind velocity and stable atmospheric condition. We will suggestion the adjusted distance of odor dispersion according to farm size was estimated to 180 m in small farm and 320m in large farm when apply the 3 OU, 5m/s wind velocity and stable atmospheric condition. (Key words : Swine farm, Odor, Dispersion, Atmospheric condition)

The Effects of Housing Design on the Feeding Behaviors of Group Housed Pregnant Sow with Electronic Sow Feeder

This study was conducted to evaluate the housing design on the feeding behaviors of group housed pregnant sows. A total of 65 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were employed into 2 experimental sow housing with different housing design. Lying area of one of sow housing was designed with concrete fence to give the shelter for weak sows. The other was floor type without any obstacles. Group housed sows were fed using electronic sow feeder (ESF) during gestation. Daily feeding pattern of sows was automatically recorded in ESF feeder program. Most sows ate all feed during night. Daily visiting frequency to ESF of sows in pig pen with the shelter was significantly lowered than sows in floor type pen. This study showed that the housing design of group housed sow pen could fairly impact ESF utilization of sow. (

A Farm on Broiler Chickens` Welfare in Korea

We conducted investigations of the information and welfare of broiler chickens in Korea. The livestock housing of all broiler chicken farms were windowless type, bell feeder and nipple waterer were used, and stocking density was relatively higher (ranging from 18.2 to 24.2 ) than RSPCA`s welfare standards for chicken hens (less than 19 ). The ratios of sandwich panel, urethane form, slate, and steel plate in roofing materials were 61%, 21%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. The ratios of sandwich panel, urethane form, brick, and steel plate in wall materials were 61%, 21%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. The ratios of soil and concrete in flooring materials were 10% and 90%. The mist spray, fan, and cooling pad in cooling facilities were 42%, 32%, and 26%, respectively. Thus we believe that present data contribute to develop the animal welfare certification for broiler chickens and to improve animal welfare in Korea.

A Study on the Expression of Harmful Social Behaviours in Breeding Pig

This study was conducted to investigate the expression of harmful social behaviours in breeding pigs. Totally 64 pure breed pigs were assigned to determine the effect of breed (Yorkshire and Duroc) and sex (male and female) on the expression of each harmful social behaviours at the GGP level commercial breeding farm. Sucking, bothering, fighting and pushing behaviour were selected the notable harmful social behaviour. The most prevailing and the highest proportion of time spent in harmful social behaviours were bothering and sucking, respectively. Total frequency of bothering and fighting were more in Duroc than Yorkshire. Yorkshire had more proportion of time spent in sucking whereas fighting was more in Duroc. According to sex, female pigs had more frequency of sucking and pushing whereas fighting was significantly more in male pigs. The female pigs showed more time spent in sucking whereas bothering and fighting was more in male pigs. (Key words : Harmful social behaviour, Breed, Sex, Breeding pig)

Development of an Electronic Sow Feeder for Gestation Sows

The study was conducted to develop an ESF (electronic sow feeder) for improving animal welfare of group housed gestation sows. Feed intake of both individual and group housed gestation sows was restricted 2 kg a day. ESF system was very effective in reducing feed loss. The amount of feed loss in treatment group (group housed gestation sows with ESF) was only about 55 g, while the amount of feed loss in control group (individually housed gestation sows) was about 200 g. In spend time to feed intake, there was no difference in the result between the control (about 30 min) and the treatment (about 22 min) group. The ESF system ran well without any mechanical problems throughout the entire experiment. These results suggest that the EST is expected to improve the performance feeding of sows.