Concentration and Emissions of Ammonia and Particulate Matter in Tunnel Ventilated Broiler Houses under Summer Conditions in Texas

Abstract

Total suspended particulate (TSP) concentrations, ammonia (NH3) concentrations,and ventilation rates were measured in four commercial, tunnel ventilated broiler houses in Junethrough December of 2000 in Brazos County, Texas. TSP and NH3 concentrations ranged from7,387 to 11,387 mg/m 3 and 2.02 to 45 ppm, respectively. Ammonia concentration exhibited acorrelation with the age of the birds. Mass median diameters (MMD) of the TSP samples werebetween 24.0 and 26.7 mm aerodynamic equivalent diameter. MMD increased with bird age.The mass fraction of PM10 in the TSP samples was between 2.72% and 8.40% with a mean of5.94%. Ventilation rates were measured between 0.58 and 89 m 3 /s. Measured concentrationsof PM10 and ammonia were multiplied by the measured ventilation rates to obtain emission ratesfor PM10 and ammonia. Ammonia emission rates varied from 38 to 2105 g/hr. TSP emissionrates and PM10 emission rates ranged from 7.0 to 1673 g/hr 0.58 to 99 g/hr respectively.Emission rates for ammonia and particulate matter increased with the age of the birds.