Taylor S. Roumeliotis

Investigation of secondary particulate matter formation in a layer barn.

Ammonia and acid gases react to form fine secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA). Due to the elevated ammonia and particulate matter (PM) levels in poultry houses, it is possible that SIA are partly responsible for the high fine PM concentrations. Hence, the objectives of this study were to develop a methodology to quantify the concentrations of secondary particulates and total PM in a small-scale layer facility to investigate the possibility of SIA formation arising from interactions between ammonia and the acid gases. The instrumentation used to estimate the SIA species was an annular denuder system (ADS) with a two-stage filter pack. The ADS was used to strip the ammonia and acid gases from the sample air stream before collecting particulates on a Teflon filter with a backup nylon filter. Filter extractions were analyzed with an ion chromatography system to determine concentrations of the ion species. In addition, two particle counters were used to measure the total PM2.5 and PM10 in the layer facility. Three air samples were taken from inside the layer house. SIA concentrations were found to be approximately 0.033, 0.011, 0.025 mg/m3 in the air samples, which were all significantly higher than background concentrations near the air intakes. Also, secondary PM contributed to roughly 50, 47, and 99% of the total PM2.5 in the house. These preliminary findings suggest that SIA are formed in poultry houses and, as such, it may be feasible to reduce PM levels by directly targeting ammonia and/or the acid gases.

EMISSION FACTOR DEVELOPMENT FOR PARTICULATE MATTER FROM A BROILER HOUSE

The recent intensification of the livestock industry has raised concerns regarding the air pollution generated from the various animal housing operations. One pollutant of concern is particulate matter (PM), which is capable of lodging itself deep in the respiratory tract and causing serious detrimental respiratory effects to the workers and livestock. Little information is available in the literature that characterizes the emissions of PM from various types of livestock houses that also incorporate daily and seasonal variances typical of Canadian climates.

Investigating a Relationship between Ammonia and Particulate Matter in Poultry Houses II: Secondary Inorganic Aerosol Formation

Poultry production results in the emission of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Ammonia, a gas generated during poultry production, has the potential to interact with acid gases to form fine PM or secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA). This study investigated the formation of various SIA species inside a small-scale layer house and commercial-scale broiler house by measuring ammonia, acid gases, PM2.5, and SIA species inside and outside the two facilities.

Investigating a Relationship between Ammonia and Particulate Matter in Poultry Houses I: Ammonia and Particulate Matter Variability

Poultry production is known to be a source of ammonia and particulate matter. This study investigates the potential for ammonia to react with acid gases to form fine particulate matter or secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) within the barn environment. In this part of the study gaseous ammonia and particulate matter in the PM10 and PM2.5 fraction were measured to determine any significant trends that would favour the generation of SIA.