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Odour and ammonia emissions from pig and poultry units

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  034082,  2003 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.14100) @2003
Authors:   Enda T. Hayes, Thomas P. Curran, Vincent A. Dodd
Keywords:   Odour, olfactometry, ammonia, emissions, pigs, poultry

Odour and ammonia emission rates were measured at three pig units, three broiler units and one layer unit. The ventilation rates in the pig and poultry houses were calculated using readings from an anemometer and a CO2 sensor. Ammonia concentrations were measured using Draeger tubes and an electrochemical sensor. Air samples were collected in exhaust ventilation air on site and odour concentrations in the samples were determined using an ECOMA T07 olfactometer. Mean odour and ammonia emission rates for finishing pigs ranged from 6.0-10.7 OuE s-1 pig-1 and 8.4-10.0 g day-1 pig-1, respectively. The minimum odour emission rate in pig housing was 4.6 OuE s-1 pig-1 for 1st stage weaners and the maximum was 66.4 OuE s-1 pig-1 for farrowing houses. Mean odour and ammonia emission rates for broilers ranged from 0.45-0.55 OuE s-1 bird-1 and 0.14-0.42 g day-1 bird-1, respectively. The layer unit had a low odour concentration but a similar odour emission rate of 0.43 OuE s-1 bird-1. Most of the emission rates were comparable to those found by other researchers. However, there is a lack of unanimity in the literature and a scarcity of published data, particularly for poultry units. The variability in the figures highlights the need for individual site assessment. The emission rates are useful as inputs to atmospheric dispersion models to determine appropriate setback distances. Further research is being carried out on other pig and poultry units to assess the influence of factors such as building design, manure management, unit operation and diet.

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