Abstract
For its small square footage, a vertical bed biofilter was developed for odor emission mitigation for livestock facilities with limited area available for biofilter installation. However, a concern about the design is that airflow and moisture may be poorly distributed across the biofilter due to the effects of gravity. Relevant data are sporadic in the literature. To fill the knowledge gap, two vertical bed biofilters were constructed at a university swine facility and monitored for two months. The monitoring was taken at 27 grid points on each biofilter per field visit. Results revealed that both the airflow and medium moisture content were unevenly distributed. The sun-facing side of the biofilters had significantly lower medium moisture content (p < 0.01) due to solar-induced water evaporation. The side directly facing the barn exhaust had the highest airflow. Airflows varied along the height of the biofilters, but no significant difference was noted. The uniformity of airflow and moisture content, characterized by coefficient of variance (CV) and distribution uniformity (DU) respectively, were examined over the monitoring campaign. Possible reasons for uneven distribution were explored and recommendations are made to address the uniformity issue. The findings from the study are expected to further the development and implementation of biofiltration technology for livestock odor control.
Highlights
Odor is a top air quality challenge for pork production [1]
Air leak is undesired for it compromises the odor reduction effectiveness of biofilters
OnOn the positive side, this this study suggests that tapered wall design may not be not necessary to address the positive side, study suggests that tapered wall design may be necessary to the uniformity issue, which the construction of vertical bed biofilters
Summary
Odor is a top air quality challenge for pork production [1]. Various odorants, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and indole, have been identified in the air of swine barns [2].Many of them are produced from the microbial decomposition of pig feces or undigested feed [3]. Odor is a top air quality challenge for pork production [1]. Various odorants, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and indole, have been identified in the air of swine barns [2]. The occurrence of odor nuisance can undermine the public relation efforts of pork producers and, in certain scenarios, result in odor complaints and even lawsuits [4]. In many counties of the U.S, rules are becoming increasingly stringent regarding the construction of new or the expansion of existing swine facilities. This is primarily driven by public concerns about odors. To promote the sustainable development of the pork industry, a simple, low-maintenance, cost-effective odor mitigation method is needed
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