Ammonia Gas Emissions Research Articles

Biotrickling filters for the removal of gaseous ammonia emissions from livestock facilities. Theoretical prediction of removal efficiency and experimental validation

From theoretical calculations validated by the results of experiments, it was shown that the properties of the washing liquid that flows into biotrickling filters at livestock facilities determine the maximum ammonia removal efficiency (RE) that can be achieved. For a well-designed biotrickling filter not limited by hydrodynamic conditions, the ammonia driving force is mainly controlled by the pH, and also by the electrical conductivity (ECL), although to a lesser extent. With the washing liquid at a given temperature, therefore, the removal efficiency depends on the gaseous ammonia concentrations to be treated (CGin; usually lower than 20 mgNH3 m−3) and on the values of the pair (pH, ECL). Theoretical prediction of the maximum removal efficiency that can be achieved by simply measuring the properties of the washing liquid, in line or from samples, could be a useful diagnostic tool to identify possible failure of the apparatus and to manage the electrical conductivity to guarantee removal efficiency at a desired rate.

Reduction of time‐releasing ammonia from polymer foam using low acidic polymers

AbstractPolymer foams are used in everyday life for industrial and household applications. However, the time‐releasing ammonia is environmentally harmful that becomes attractive. Here, we introduce a technically advanced synthetic process for the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam, in which the emission of ammonia gas is significantly reduced by using the polymeric acids. The PVC foam has processed with azodicarbonamide (ADCA) as a chemical blowing agent after the solid type polymeric acid is mixed as supporting agent. While the characteristic properties such as specific gravity (density) and chromaticity of PVC foams are not critically changed, the reduction of time‐releasing ammonia is up to 85% compared to the PVC foam without polymeric acid. This is attributed to the cell structure with small sub‐cells and lots of connecting channels and the chemically capturing ammonia of polymeric acids.

Lignite effects on NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 emissions during composting of manure

Production of compost from cattle manure results in ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas emissions, causing the loss of valuable nitrogen (N) and having negative environmental impacts. Lignite addition to cattle pens has been reported to reduce NH3 emissions from manure by approximately 60%. However, the effect of lignite additions during the manure composting process, in terms of gaseous emissions of NH3, nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) is not clear. This composting study was conducted at a commercial cattle feedlot in Victoria, Australia. Prior to cattle entering the feedlot, we applied 4.5 kg m−2 of dry lignite to a treatment pen, and no lignite to a control pen. After 90 days of occupancy, the cattle were removed and the accumulated manure from each pen was used to form two separate compost windrows (control and treatment). During composting we collected manure samples regularly and quantified gaseous emissions of NH3, N2O, CO2, and CH4 from both windrows with an inverse-dispersion technique using open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR). Over the 87-day measurement period, the cumulative gas fluxes of NH3, N2O, CO2, and CH4 were 3.4 (± 0.6, standard error), 0.4 (± 0.1), 932 (± 99), and 1.2 (± 0.3) g kg−1 (initial dry matter (DM)), respectively for the lignite amended windrow, and 7.2 (± 1.3), 0.1 (± 0.03), 579 (± 50) and −0.5 (± 0.1) g kg−1 DM, respectively for the non-lignite windrow. The addition of lignite reduced NH3 emissions by 54% during composting, but increased total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2.6 times. Total N losses as NH3–N and N2O–N were approximately 11 and 25% of initial N for the lignite and non-lignite windrows, respectively. The effectiveness of retaining N was obvious in the first three weeks after windrow formation. A cost-benefit analysis indicated that the benefit of lignite addition to cattle pens by reduced NH3 emission could justify the trade-off of increased GHG emissions.

New tool for the determination of the nitrogen accumulation rate in the washing liquid of a biotrickling filter treating ammonia emissions

A new tool to determine the Specific Nitrogen Accumulation Rate (SNAR expressed in gNH3 h−1 m-3packingmaterial) in the washing liquid of a biotrickling filter for treating ammonia (NH3) emissions is proposed. The tool is based on the relationship which exists between the electrical conductivity (EC) of the water and the amount of nitrogen salts dissolved in the water (i.e. ammonium NH4+, nitrite NO2–, and nitrate NO3–). The methodology was applied experimentally by carrying out EC measurements for 5 months in a lab-scale biotrickling filter treating gaseous ammonia emissions. In addition to the EC measurements, the temperature and pH of the liquid phase were recorded. The temperature, NH3 and N2O concentrations (inlet and outlet) were also measured in the gas phase. It was demonstrated that the continuous EC record over time would appear to be a valuable tool in determining the amount of nitrogen actually accumulated into the liquid phase of the biotrickling filter. Thus, the parameter SNAR could be used to characterize the ability of the biotrickling filter to remove ammonia without measurement on the gas phase. It was also shown that high values of the ionic strength of the water (EC > 25 mS cm−1) dramatically affects the nitrogen accumulation rate.

Characteristics of ammonia gas emissions from soybean cultivation soils treated with mixed microorganisms

This study was conducted to evaluate (i) the characteristics of ammonia gas emissions from soybean cultivation soils amended with varying levels of urea and soil water, and (ii) the rate of reduction in ammonia emissions that could be obtained by applying mixed microorganisms (MM) to the urea-treated soils. The ammonia gas emissions from all treatments except the control were highest on day 2 of a laboratory-scale experiment and decreased gradually thereafter. The ammonia gas emissions from the soils increased with increasing urea and soil water contents. However, there were less emissions from soils treated with MM than those from the urea only treatment, and emissions also decreased significantly as the concentration of MM increased. In a field-scale experiment, the total cumulative emissions of ammonia from soil treated with a combination of chemical fertilizers and MM was reduced to 85.8% of that from the soil treated with chemical fertilizers only. Although we infer that MM can be used as an agent to reduce ammonia gas emissions from actual soils used for soybean cultivation, our knowledge of the processes involved in reducing ammonia emissions using microbial treatment is still limited. Consequently, further studies are required to investigate the efficient control of ammonia gas emissions from agricultural soils through the application of microorganisms.

REDUCTION OF AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM THE COMPOSTING OF SLAUGHTERHOUSE SOLID WASTE USING ZEOLITE

The process of aerobic composting the slaughterhouse (SH) solid waste generate ammonia emissions. Aim: The objective of this research to study the ability of the adsorbent to use zeolite to reduce ammonia gas emissions during the composting process of SH solid waste. Methodology and Results: Reduction of ammonia emission is conducted during the aerobic composting process which is 50 days. The raw material composition of the composting process used was 100% rumen contents, 60% rumen contents: 40% straw, 50% rumen contents: 50% straw, and 40% rumen contents: 60% straw. Zeolite used in the form of granular size 100 mesh. The result of the research showed that the level of release of ammonia gas emissions during the composting process could be reduced by zeolite. Conclusion, significance, and impact study: The efficiency of reducing ammonia gas emissions using zeolite adsorbents in the composting process of SH solid waste ranges from 98.09 - 99.40% on average. Zeolite is an adsorbent that has high adsorption power because it has many pores and has a high ion exchange high capacity and serves as an absorbent cation that can cause environmental pollution.

Effect of Supplementation of Yucca schidigera Extract on Ammonia Gas Emission and Performance of Broiler Chickens.

Effect of Supplementation of Yucca schidigera Extract on Ammonia Gas Emission and Performance of Broiler Chickens.

Antibacterial Activity of Maja Fruit Extract Against Escherichia coli and Its Potential as Urease Inhibitor for Reducing Ammonia Emission in Poultry Excreta

Essential oil is one of the natural compounds from plant extract that has the potential as a natural antibacterial for inhibiting the hydrolysis of urea compound into ammonia gas in livestock wastes. This research aims to measure antibacterial effects of Maja Fruits Extract (MFE) on Escherichia coli and its potential as a urease inhibitor in excreta medium. MFE was extracted using Maceration method. The results indicated that antibacterial activity of MFE was low or resistant, with the biggest diameter of inhibition zone occurred on agar medium was 14.26 ± 0.75 mm. The antibacterial ability of MFE with an addition of 3% (v/v) in liquid medium gave the lowest graph of bacterial growth. MFE has the potential as an antibacterial and urease inhibitor compound, which could be applied to inhibit the hydrolysis of urea by microorganisms so that it can reduce the emission of ammonia gas from livestock wastes, especially chicken excreta.

Treatment of Gaseous Ammonia Emissions Using Date Palm Pits Based Granular Activated Carbon.

The present work investigated the application of granular activated carbon (GAC) derived from date palm pits (DPP) agricultural waste for treating gaseous ammonia. Respective findings indicate increased breakthrough time (run time at which 5% of influent ammonia is exiting with the effluent gas) with a decrease in influent ammonia and increase in GAC bed depth. At a gas flow rate of 1.1 L/min and GAC column length of 8 cm, the following breakthrough trend was noted: 1295 min (2.5 ppmv) > 712 min (5 ppmv) > 532 min (7.5 ppmv). A qualitatively similar trend was also noted for the exhaustion time results (run time at which 95% of influent ammonia is exiting with the effluent gas). The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) findings for the produced GAC indicated some salient functional groups at the produced GAC surface including O–H, C–H, C–O, and S=O groups. Ammonia adsorption was suggested to result from its interaction with the respective surface functional groups via different mechanisms. Comparison with a commercial GAC showed the date palm pits based GAC to be having slightly higher breakthrough and exhaustion capacity.

Pig barns ammonia and greenhouse gas emission mitigation by slurry aeration and acid scrubber

Livestock production is associated with several gaseous pollutant emissions to the environment. These emissions can degrade local and regional air quality, contribute to surface water eutrophication and acid rain, and contribute to the greenhouse gas footprint of the production sector. Modern production systems must balance animal welfare and environmental pollution potential with economic reality, which is a great challenge to maintain as global demand for animal protein increases. Accordingly, gaseous emission technologies were the main target for this research, in which mitigating gas emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide, and methane from pig production facilities via slurry aeration system was tested. Five treatments with different airflow rates in the test room were examined continuously over a period of 6weeks and the results were compared with the control room. Test results indicate that the highest mitigation potentials were 12, 57.6, and 10.4% for nitrous oxide, methane, and ammonia, respectively. Subsequently directing exhaust air into a sulfuric acid air scrubber at 3.0pH further reduced total ammonia emissions by 80 to 87%.

Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Different Types of Livestock and Poultry Manure During Storage

HighlightsCarbon and nitrogen gas emissions from manure storage were influenced by manure characteristics.The main GHG contributor for dairy cattle, beef cattle, and broiler manure was methane.The main GHG contributor for laying hen manure was nitrous oxide (N2O).N2O emissions of the five types of manure were comparable with the IPCC recommended value.Abstract. Livestock manure management is an important source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ammonia (NH3) emissions from agriculture. Large amounts of manure are produced in China, while little research is available on the gas emission characteristics from different manure sources. The GHG and NH3 emissions from pig manure (PM), dairy cattle manure (DCM), beef cattle manure (BCM), layer manure (LM), and broiler manure (BM) during storage were monitored using the dynamic emission chamber method to compare the differences in gas emission characteristics among the five manure types and elucidate the key factors causing the differences. The results indicated that C and N gas emissions from manure storage were influenced by manure characteristics. The total CO2-eq (without CO2) emissions from PM, DCM, BCM, LM, BM were, respectively, 49.98 ±3.53, 1160.4 ±55.22, 692.16 ±42.98, 61.99 ±1.92, and 72.52 ±3.45 g per kg of dry basis manure during 77-day storage. The main GHG contributor for DCM, BCM, and BM was methane (CH4), accounting for 65% to 94%, and the main GHG contributor for LM was nitrous oxide (N2O). For PM, CH4 and N2O contributed equally to the total emissions. The N2O emissions of the five manure types were 0.002 to 0.013 kg N2O-N kg-1 N and were comparable with the IPCC recommended value. Keywords: Ammonia, Animal manure, Emission, Methane, Nitrous oxide.

Pork production in Thuringia - management effects on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Reduction potentials and projections

Measures to reduce emissions from pork production have been evaluated for fattening pigs in Thuringia, where fattening dominates emissions. Next, an expert team provided data sets for emission scenarios for the entire pork production chain (including breeding, piglet production, fattening as well as feed production, fertiliser use and production, provision of water and energy) in 2020 and 2025. Moderate increases in performance and reduction of animal losses had almost no effect. Substantial emission reductions were found for feeds with reduced protein contents, filtering exhaust air from buildings through scrubbers and reduced emission slurry application procedures. Manure systems using solid farmyard manure emit greater quantities than slurry based systems. A combination of the measures anticipated for 2025 in a comprehensive (fictive) reference enterprise could result in a NH3 emission reduction by about one fifth as compared to 2015. A minor reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a welcome side effect.

Effects of dietary Achyranthes japonica extract supplementation on the growth performance, total tract digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of broiler chickens

The present study was investigated the effects of dietary Achyranthes japonica extract (AJE) supplementation on the growth performance, total tract digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, breast meat quality, and organ weight in broiler chickens. In total, 640 Ross × Ross male broiler chickens (1-day-old) were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicate cages (16 birds/replicate) per treatment group for 5 wk. The dietary treatments included a control basal diet without AJE, and diets with 0.025, 0.05, or 0.1% AJE. Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion improved linearly with the supplementation of AJE over the experimental period (days 1 to 35) (P < 0.05). Dietary AJE supplementation caused a significant increase in the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (linear, P < 0.05). The cecal Lactobacillus, E. coli, and Salmonella counts were linearly affected with increasing dietary AJE supplementation (P < 0.05). With increasing levels of AJE, excreta ammonia gas concentration showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05). The breast muscle weight linearly increased, along with a decrease in the abdominal fat weight, in treatment groups fed with AJE (P < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary addition with increasing AJE linearly improved growth performance, total tract digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta ammonia gas emission, and abdominal fat weight in broiler chickens.

The effects of betaine supplementation in diets containing different levels of crude protein and methionine on the growth performance, blood components, total tract nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of the broiler chickens

The effects of betaine supplementation on growth performance, blood components, nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of broiler chickens were examined using different dietary crude protein (CP) and methionine (Met) levels. A total of 768 Ross 308 broiler chickens were allotted to four treatments, with 12 replications of each treatment conducted over 6 wk. Treatments were factorially designed, with 2 levels of CP [Starter: CP 21% (low Met) and 23% (high Met); Finisher: CP 18% (low Met) and 20% (high Met)] and 2 levels of betaine supplementation (0 and 0.12%). Body weight gain and feed conversion improved significantly as dietary levels of protein increased (P < 0.05), but the results for betaine supplementation differed. The concentrations of serum total protein, albumin, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were elevated by either the supplementary betaine or the CP (P < 0.05). In addition, serum albumin concentration significantly increased in groups fed low CP amounts and betaine 0.12% compared with groups fed low CP only (P < 0.05). Total tract digestibility of nitrogen in broilers fed high CP amounts or 0.12% betaine, was observed to be greater than that in groups fed low CP amounts or no betaine treatment (P < 0.05). Supplemental betaine affected excreta ammonia gas emission, and hydrogen sulfide concentrations decreased significantly in low CP-fed groups (P < 0.05). Breast meat quality and relative organ weights were not influenced by CP levels or dietary betaine supplementation. These results suggest that betaine does not increase productivity, but may affect serum total protein, albumin, GPx, excreta ammonia emission, and nitrogen digestibility in broiler chickens. In addition, betaine supplementation is more effective in increasing serum albumin concentration when it was added in low CP (low Met) diets.

Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Lab-Scaled Manure Bedpacks with and without Aluminum Sulfate Additions

The poultry industry has successfully used aluminum sulfate (alum) as a litter amendment to reduce NH3 emissions from poultry barns, but alum has not been evaluated for similar uses in cattle facilities. A study was conducted to measure ammonia (NH3), greenhouse gases (GHG), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions from lab-scaled bedded manure packs over a 42-day period. Two frequencies of application (once or weekly) and four concentrations of alum (0, 2.5, 5, and 10% by mass) were evaluated. Frequency of alum application was either the entire treatment of alum applied on Day 0 (once) or 16.6% of the total alum mass applied each week for six weeks. Ammonia emissions were reduced when 10% alum was used, but H2S emissions increased as the concentration of alum increased in the bedded packs. Nitrous oxide emissions were not affected by alum treatment. Methane emissions increased as the concentration of alum increased in the bedded packs. Carbon dioxide emissions were highest when 5% alum was applied and lowest when 0% alum was used. Results of this study indicate that 10% alum is needed to effectively reduce NH3 emissions, but H2S and methane emissions may increase when this concentration of alum is used.

Reducing ammonia and greenhouse gas emission with adding high levels of superphosphate fertilizer during composting.

Previous studies revealed that superphosphate fertilizer (SSP) as an additive in compost can reduce the nitrogen loss and improve the effectiveness of phosphorus during composting. However, few studies have explored the influence of adding SSP with high levels on ammonia and greenhouse gas emission and the suitable amount for SSP addition according to a combined assessment of the composting process and product. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of SSP with high additive amounts on NH3, CO2, CH4, and N2O emission and organic carbon loss. All piles were mixtures of pig manure and cornstalks with different levels of SSP addition including 10%, 14%, 18%, 22%, 26%, and 30% dry weight basis of raw materials. Compared with the control without SSP, the amount of NH3 cumulative emissions was decreased by 23.8-48.1% for the treatments with 10-30% SSP addition, and the emission of greenhouse gas including CO2, CH4, and N2O by 20.9-35.5% (CO2 equivalent) was reduced by 20.9-35.5%. Adding SSP with the amount exceeding 14% to compost could reduce CO2 emissions by 32.0-38.4% and more than 30% carbon loss at the end of composting but exceeding 26% had an adverse impact on maturity of the composts. Therefore, considering the maturity and safety of compost and gas emission reduction, 14-26% SSP was the optimum amount for composting addition, which is an effective and economical way to increase the nutrient level of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in compost and reduce environmental risks.

A comparative evaluation of fermented and unfermented soybean and guar meal on growth performance, nutrient retention, caecal microflora, and excreta gas emission of broiler chickens

Abstract This experiment was conducted to evaluate the possibility of a 10% replacement of soy bean meal (SBM) with guar meal (GM) in broiler diets and the effects of fermentation of SBM and GM with Bacillus subtilis. A total of 384 Ross 308 (1-d old) broilers were selected for 4 treatments, with 6 replications, and 16 broilers per replication for 35 d. Experimental treatments consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial design with the following factors: i) two protein sources (SBM or GM), and ii) 10% of the SBM resp. GM fermented with B. subtilis. The results showed that broilers fed SBM or fermented diets showed improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to those fed GM ( P<Â 0.05). The nutrient retention of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy of broilers fed SBM or fermented diets were higher than those fed GM ( P<Â 0.05). The caecal microflora counts were improved (increased Lactobacillus and decreased coliforms) with the addition of fermented diets ( P<Â 0.05). Ammonia gas emission in the fermented treatments was lower than that in the unfermented treatments ( P<Â 0.05). Together, these findings suggest that adding SBM and GM fermented with Bacillus subtilis in the diet can improve growth performance and nutrient retention and decrease excreta noxious gas emission. Finally, GM fermented with Bacillus subtilis could replace SBM by 10% with no adverse effect on broiler performance.

Mitigation of ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from stored cattle slurry using acidifiers and chemical amendments

Cattle and cow slurry storage is a significant source of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions. While acidification has been demonstrated to significantly reduce these emissions, a knowledge gap exists to identify a range of chemical amendments that are safe, suitable and cost effective to mitigate both GHG and NH 3 gases simultaneously. The current study showed that ferric chloride, sulphuric acid, alum and acetic acid were extremely effective at abating emissions, with NH 3 reduced by 96%, 85%, 82% and 73%, respectively. In terms of methane (CH 4 ), ferric chloride, alum, sulphuric acid and acetic acid reduced emissions by 98%, 96%, 95% and 94%, respectively. Previous studies have found that the reduction of >pH 6 can inhibit the release of these gases; however, the effectiveness can vary depending on each amendment's composition. The cost benefit analysis, assessed the amendments in terms of both gaseous emissions reduction and net cost. Sulphuric acid, acetic acid, ferric chloride and alum ranked best, respectively. Currently, the cost of implementing these amendments is, at best, cost neutral. Therefore, incentivising chemical amendments for the abatement of GHG and NH 3 gases from slurry storage is needed. This incubation experiment is an effective means of pre-screening amendments before they are explored at pilot or full scale with subsequent field application. Future research should consider the assessment of cheaper on- and off-farm alternative waste streams as slurry amendment. • Acidification of cattle and dairy slurry was investigated. • Target pH of 5.5 resulted in a 96% reduction in NH 3 and 98% reduction in CH 4 . • Ferric chloride reductions were independent of pH value. • Cost analysis revealed financial incentives are needed for scaled implementation.

Modeling and prediction accuracy of ammonia gas emissions from feedlot cattle

ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to develop an equation to indirectly predict the effect of feeding ExperiorTM (lubabegron; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) on ammonia gas emissions (AGE) from cattle in subsequent feedlot studies. Materials and Methods Our approach was to develop a prediction equation [the Elanco Ammonia Gas Emission Prediction Model (EPM)] using data from a 91-d clinical efficacy study in which lubabegron was fed to cattle housed in a cattle pen enclosure system and compare the precision and accuracy of the EPM with the precision and accuracy of a published equation that was developed to predict AGE from open-air feedlots. Results and Discussion The evaluation of the published equation used to predict daily AGE (g/animal) resulted in poor precision (R2 = 0.329) but reasonable accuracy (prediction bias = +14.8%). The developed EPM equation explained 98.7% of the variation in observed log10 of cumulative AGE in the clinical efficacy study. Implications and Applications The EPM explained 58.9 to 84.9% of the variation in cumulative AGE in 2 evaluation data sets, with a prediction bias of +0.13 to +18.6%. These data suggest that the EPM derived from the development data set using the cattle pen enclosure measurement system showed great promise to accurately and precisely predict cumulative AGE in future feedlot studies.

Ruminal metagenomic analyses of goat data reveals potential functional microbiota by supplementation with essential oil-cobalt complexes

BackgroundEssential Oils (EO) are complex mixtures of plant secondary metabolites that have been proposed as promising feed additives for mitigating methane and ammonia emissions. We have previously demonstrated that Essential Oil-Cobalt (EOC) supplementation resulted in increased average daily gain and improved phenotypes (cashmere fiber traits, carcass weight, and meat quality) when cashmere goats received supplementation at approximately 2 mg/kg of body weight. However, the ruminal microbiological effects of EO remain poorly understood with regard to the extent to which ruminal populations can adapt to EO presence as feed ingredients. The effects of varying levels of EO require additional study.ResultsIn this study, we conducted metagenomic analyses using ruminal fluid samples from three groups (addition of 0, 52, and 91 mg) to evaluate the influence of dietary EOC supplementation on goat rumen bacterial community dynamics. EOC addition resulted in changes of ruminal fermentation types and the EOC dose strongly impacted the stability of ruminal microbiota. The Bacteroides sp. and Succinivibrio sp. type bacterial community was positively associated with improved volatile fatty acid production when the diet was supplemented with EOC.ConclusionsA clear pattern was found that reflected rapid fermentative improvement in the rumen, subsequent to butyrate metabolism and EOC based feed additives may affect rumen microbes to further improve feed conversion. This observation indicates that EOC can be safely used to enhance animal productivity and to reduce ammonia and waste gas emissions, thus positively impacting the environment.