Michael Czarick

Ammonia Emissions from a Commercial Broiler House

Emission of ammonia gas from broiler houses has become an issue of concern. Yet most of the research that has been done on ammonia in poultry houses is more concerned with in-house air quality than with emissions, and most of the research has occurred in northern Europe where climatic conditions and perhaps management are different from that in the southeastern United States which is the area that produces the largest amount of poultry in the US. This research monitored ventilation rates and ammonia levels in a commercial broiler house in the southeastern United States to determine the approximate emission rates under hot and cool climatic conditions. In hot conditions, although ammonia concentrations were only in the 3 to 5 ppm range, extremely high ventilation rates resulted in estimated emissions of approximately 35 lb (16 kg) /day/house on some days. The instrument used to measure ammonia levels was not reliably accurate at concentrations below 5 ppm, however, and an error of 1 ppm at these high ventilation rates would result in an error of 20 lb (9 kg)/day/house. In cooler conditions, ammonia concentrations were higher, and ventilation rates were lower resulting in daily emissions similar to summer conditions. However, when the sensor was exposed to constant high levels of ammonia, the output became unstable, rendering these results questionable as well.

Colorimetric polymer-metal nanocomposite sensor of ammonia for the agricultural industry of confined animal feeding operations

Abstract. The proposed colorimetric sensor of ammonia for the confined animal feeding industry uses the method of optoelectronic spectroscopic measurement of the reversible change of the color of a nanocomposite reagent film in response to ammonia. The film is made of a gold nanocolloid in a polymer matrix with an ammonia-sensitive indicator dye additive. The response of the indicator dye (increase of the optical absorption between 550 and 650 nm) is enhanced by the nanoparticles (∼8  nm in size) in two ways: (a) concentration of the optical field near the nanoparticle due to the plasmon resonance and (b) catalytic acceleration of the chemical reaction of deprotonization of the indicator dye in the presence of ammonia and water vapor. This enhancement helps to miniaturize the sensing element without compromising its sensitivity of <1 parts per million (ppm) for the range 0 to 100 ppm. The sensor underwent field tests in commercial poultry farms in Georgia and Arkansas and was compared against a scientific-grade photoacoustic gas analyzer. The coefficient of correlation between the sensor and the photoacoustic data for several weeks of continuous side-by-side operation in a commercial poultry house was ∼0.9 and the linear regression slope was 1.0. The conclusions on the necessary improvements were made.

Ammonia and Fine Particulates Inside and Outside Tunnel Ventilated Broiler Houses – A First Look

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern. Much work has been done to study occupational exposures and the exhaust concentrations associated with animal facilities, however little information has been provided about air quality around the houses. This study investigates ammonia and PM2.5 (particulate matter = 2.5 um in diameter) inside and outside (up to 152 m from the house) of commercial tunnel-ventilated broiler houses on a farm (6 houses 11 x 130 m) in northeast Georgia. PM2.5 was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and on a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Ammonia was measured using electrochemical sensors. None of the 24-h PM2.5 measures collected when the houses were in tunnel ventilation exceeded the U.S. EPA 24-h National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 65 ug/m3. Ammonia levels outside the house appeared to be considerably less than 1 ppm, but wind direction at the site was not recorded and wind at a remote weather station was contrary to the direction of the sensors on the days that ammonia data were taken. Additional study is needed to confirm these results.

Microbiological Status of Broiler Respiratory Tracts Before and During Catching for Transport to the Processing Plant

SUMMARY A significant point of entry for Salmonella into a processing plant is within the broilers to be processed. Prior to transport to the processing plant, feed (4 h) and water are withdrawn from the broilers on the farm before they are caught and cooped. During catching, an increased presence of dust in the house air is visible and may affect the presence of bacteria within the broilers respiratory tract. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of catching on the levels of aerobic bacteria (aerobic plate count [APC]), levels and prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae (EB), and prevalence of Salmonella within broiler respiratory tracts. To determine flock Salmonella status 1 wk prior to catching, broiler carcasses were sampled for APC, EB, and Salmonella by respiratory tract flushing and ceca were sampled for Salmonella. At 1 d prior to catching and when half of the broilers in the house were caught, broilers were again collected, transported to the pilot plant, euthanized, and sampled. In Trial 1, there were no significant differences between sampling times for ceca Salmonella or respiratory EB and APC. However, Salmonella prevalence in the respiratory tract was significantly higher at 1 wk preharvest compared to during catching. In Trial 2, EB was significantly lower during catching compared to 1 wk preharvest. No significant differences were detected in Trial 3. Based on these results, the presence of aerosolized dust in the broiler house during catching does not appear to lead to increases in broiler respiratory tract microbial contamination.

Organic polymer-metal nano-composites for opto-electronic sensing of chemicals in agriculture

Recent research findings led the team to conclude that a long lasting and inexpensive colorimetric sensor for monitoring ammonia emission from manure in confined animal feeding operations could eventually become feasible. The sensor uses robust method of opto-electronic spectroscopic measurement of the reversible change of the color of a sensitive nano-composite reagent film in response to ammonia. The film is made of a metal (gold, platinum, or palladium) nano-colloid in a polymer matrix with an ammonia-sensitive indicator dye additive. The response of the indicator dye (increase of the optical absorption in the region 550 to 650 nm) is enhanced by the nano-particles (~10 nm in size) in two ways: (a) concentration of the optical field near the nano-particle due to the plasmon resonance; and (b) catalytic acceleration of the chemical reaction of deprotonization of the indicator dye in the presence of ammonia and water vapor. This enhancement helps to make a miniature and rugged sensing element without compromising its sensitivity of less than 1 ppm for the range 0 to 100 ppm. The sensor underwent field tests in commercial broiler farms in Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas and was compared against a commercial photoacoustic gas analyzer. The sensor output correlated well with the data from the photoacoustic analyzer (correlation coefficient not less than 0.9 and the linear regression slope after calibration close to 1.0) for several weeks of continuous operation. The sources of errors were analyzed and the conclusions on the necessary improvements and the potential use of the proposed device were made.

Field Evaluation of LED and CFL Lights in Poultry Houses

Abstract. The need for energy efficient, cost-effective, reliable light bulbs for broiler production is evident. This paper reports on a field test of three LED and two CFL bulbs in commercial broiler houses over an 18-month period. Differences in dimming curves, lighting efficiency, power/apparent power curves, light distribution, and lumen depreciation were noted for each bulb. Although initial lighting levels were noticeably different, all bulbs except the Life Lamp LED had depreciated within about 6 months to approximately 1.2 to 1.3 ft-candles and remained there for the next 12 months. Life Lamp LED only had 6 months in the test at time of last measurement and appeared to be still depreciating, but was still at 2.5 ft-candles. Some of the bulbs had low power factors, especially when dimmed which is a matter of concern for power companies. Different bulbs will require different programming of dimmers or at least recalibration to achieve desired lighting levels since each bulb tested responded differently to dimmers.

Monitoring of Ammonia and Fine Particulates Downwind of Broiler Houses

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern for producers and their neighbors. Much work has been done to quantify emission rates; however, little information has been provided about air quality downwind from these facilities. This study investigates ammonia and PM2.5 (particulate matter = 2.5 um in diameter) levels as they dissipate from the exhaust fans of selected commercial, tunnel-ventilated, broiler houses in Northeast Georgia. PM2.5 was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and from a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Ammonia was measured using open-path laser spectrometers. Data were taken over a 4-week period and filtered for wind direction and internal instrument calibration checks. Results indicate a rapid dissipation of both ammonia and fine particulates as the distance from the source increases. When compared to nearby monitoring data, particulate levels appear to be near background levels. Ammonia levels are higher when wind is blowing from the source toward the sensors and tend to be higher when wind speed is less than 3.2 km/h (2 mph.) At low wind speeds, air movement created by fans overpowers ambient wind at the 30-m distance.