Development of the Relationship between Odor Intensity and Threshold Dilution Ratio for Swine Units

ABSTRACT

The following models of odor intensity for swine units were evaluated: the Weber-Fechner law model, the power law model, the Stevens model, and the Beidler model. Data were collected from four swine rooms (farrowing, finisher, gestation, and nursery) and odor threshold dilution ratios were measured by a panel using a dynamic forced-choice olfactometer. Odor intensity scales were determined by eight panelists using a six-point category scale method. A nonlinear parameter estimation method was used to estimate the parameters in each of the models. The widely used Weber-Fechner law did not adequately fit the data of odor intensity and threshold. Both the power law and the Beidler models described the data effectively, but the Beidler model showed the best fit of the data and was used as the model to represent the relationship between odor intensity and threshold dilution ratio for swine buildings.     

Consultant Guide/1986

ABSTRACT

To obtain annual odor emission profiles from intensive swine operations, odor concentrations and emission rates were measured monthly from swine nursery, farrowing, and gestation rooms for a year. Large annual variations in odor concentrations and emissions were found in all the rooms and the impact of the seasonal factor (month) was significant (P < 0.05). Odor concentration was low in summer when ventilation rate was high but high in winter when ventilation rate was low, ranging from 362 (farrowing room in July) to 8934 (nursery room in December) olfactory unit (OU) m^?3. This indicates that the air quality regarding odor was significantly better in summer than that in winter. Odor emission rate did not show obvious seasonal pattern as odor concentration did, ranging from 2 (gestation room in November) to 90 (nursery room in April) OU m^?2 sec^?1; this explains why the odor complaints for swine barns have occurred all year round. The annual geometric mean odor concentration and emission rate of the nursery room was significantly higher than the other rooms (P < 0.05). In order to obtain the representative annual emission rate, measurements have to be taken at least monthly, and then the geometric mean of the monthly values will represent the annual emission rate. Incorporating odor control technologies in the nursery area will be the most efficient in reducing odor emission from the farm considering its emission rate was 2 to 3 times of the other areas. The swine grower-finisher area was the major odor source contributing 53% of odor emission of the farm and should also be targeted for odor control. Relatively positive correlations between odor concentration and both H₂S and CO₂ concentrations (R ² = 0.58) means that high level of these two gases might likely indicate high odor concentration in swine barns.

IMPLICATIONS The emissions of air pollutants including odors, greenhouse gases, and toxic gases have become a major environmental issue facing animal farms in the U.S.A. and Canada. To ensure the air quality in the vicinity of intensive livestock farms, air dispersion models have been used to determine setback distances between livestock facilities and neighboring residences based on certain air quality requirement on odor and gases. Due to the limited odor emission data available, none of the existing models can take account of seasonal variations of odor emissions, which may result in great uncertainties in setback distance calculations. Therefore, the obtained seasonal odor and gas emission rates by this study can be used by the government regulatory organizations and researchers in air dispersion modeling to get improved calculation of setback distances.     

Effectiveness of Porous Covers for Control of Ammonia,Reduced Sulfur Compounds,Total Hydrocarbons,Selected Volatile Organic Compounds,and Odor from Hog Manure Storage Lagoons

Abstract

Anaerobic lagoons are a major source of odor at concentrated animal feeding operations. Seven different kinds of artificial (geotextile and polyethylene foam) and natural (straw and redwood) permeable lagoon covers were evaluated for their potential to reduce odorous emissions generated by anaerobic waste lagoons. A novel floating sampling raft was constructed and used to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of lagoon covers on an operating swine waste lagoon. The air collected from the raft was evaluated for odor, total reduced sulfur (TRS) compounds, ammonia, total hydrocarbons, dimethyldisulfide, and trimethylamine. The emission rates from the lagoon were highly variable both temporally and spatially. All of the lagoon covers substantially reduced TRS emissions and odor. Geotextile fabric and a recycled foam cover exhibited the greatest reduction in total hydrocarbon emissions; natural covers were less effective. Because of consistently low emission rates of ammonia, no statistically significant reduction of ammonia emissions were observed from any of the lagoon covers.     

Quantification of ventilation on distribution of gaseous pollutants emitted from stored swine manure

Abstract

This paper describes the quantification of the effects of ventilation on distribution of gaseous pollutants as a result of mass transfer from stored manure to ventilation air in a swine confinement building. A multiple airflow regions model is developed and used to simulate the dynamics of gaseous pollutants in any airspace within a ventilated slotted‐inlet enclosure. The model predictions compared favorably with the measured results adapted from a literature research at ventilation rates between 443 and 932 m³/hr (deviations of 5.1 ‐ 14.68%) for carbon dioxide and ammonia concentrations. A comparison between predictions and measured carbon dioxide concentrations derived from an environmental chamber test found deviations ranged from 3.1 ‐ 5.6% at ventilation rates between 281 and 995 m³/hr. The results suggest that the model can be experimentally applied between ventilation rates of 443 and 995 m³/hr. The model also capable of predicting air exchange rate required to maintain acceptable levels of gaseous pollutants in swine confinement buildings based on gas emission rates.     

Determination of Setback Distances for Livestock Operations Using a New Livestock Odor Dispersion Model (LODM)

ABSTRACT

Setback distance has been used as an effective tool to avoid odor nuisance from livestock operations. Many setback distances were guidelines that were determined by empirical methods that are considered to be lack of science base. Air dispersion models have been used to determine setback distances; however, these models do not consider the short-time fluctuations of odor. A livestock odor dispersion model (LODM) was developed to consider the short-time variations of odor and predict occurrence frequency for certain levels of odor. In this study, this model was used to predict the occurrence frequency for various levels of odor in the vicinity (10 km) of a swine farm. Using selected odor criteria, setback distances between the swine farm and nearby communities were defined. Results indicate that the LODM can be used as an effective tool to determine setback distances.

IMPLICATIONS One of the more important applications of odor dispersion models is to determine setback distances for major odor sources, such as intensive livestock operations, from nearby communities. This study provided a case study in determining directional setback distances from a typical swine farm using a newly developed livestock odor dispersion model (LODM). It is also the first study in using hourly odor frequency to determine setback distances.     

Using Olfactometry to Measure Intensity and Threshold Dilution Ratio for Evaluating Swine Odor

ABSTRACT

Intensity and threshold dilution ratio are two important indices for odor control of swine buildings. Although odor threshold dilution ratio is a widely used index to describe an odor, it should be related to intensity to be more useful. A method was proposed to measure both indices simultaneously by using a dynamic forced-choice olfacto-meter. Four air samples were taken from each of four swine rooms including farrowing, finisher, gestation, and nursery. A panel of eight people was used to evaluate odor intensity. Odor threshold dilution ratios were calculated according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice E679-91 to be 333, 424, 25, and 221 for samples collected from farrowing, finisher, gestation, and nursery rooms, respectively. After the samples were diluted 14.7 times, the odor intensities were evaluated to be 3.79, 3.46, 0.48, and 4.0 for the above-mentioned rooms, respectively. The data collected were used to develop a mathematical model.     

Dispersion modeling to compare alternative technologies for odor remediation at swine facilities

The effectiveness of 18 alternative technologies for reducing odor dispersion at and beyond the boundary of swine facilities was assessed in conjunction with an initiative sponsored through agreements between the Attorney General of North Carolina and Smithfield Foods, Premium Standard Farms, and Frontline Farmers. The trajectory and spatial distribution of odor emitted at each facility were modeled at 200 and 400 m downwind from each site under two meteorological conditions (daytime and nighttime) using a Eulerian-Lagrangian model. To predict the dispersion of odor downwind, the geographical area containing the odorant sources at each facility was partitioned into 10-m2 grids on the basis of satellite photographs and architectural drawings. Relative odorant concentrations were assigned to each grid point on the basis of intensity measurements made by the trained odor panel at each facility using a 9-point rating scale. The results of the modeling indicated that odor did not extend significantly beyond 400 m downwind of any of the test sites during the daytime when the layer of air above the earth's surface is usually turbulent. However, modeling indicated that odor from all full-scale farms extended beyond 400 m onto neighboring property in the evenings when deep surface cooling through long-wave radiation to space produces a stable (nocturnal) boundary layer. The results also indicated that swine housing, independent of waste management type, plays a significant role in odor downwind, as do odor sources of moderate to moderately high intensity that emanate from a large surface area such as a lagoon. Human odor assessments were utilized for modeling rather than instrument measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or particulates less than 10 microm in diameter (PM10) because these physical measurements obtained simultaneously with human panel ratings were not found to accurately predict human odor intensity in the field.     

Evaluating peats for their capacities to remove odorous compounds from liquid swine manure using headspace “solid‐phase microextraction”

Abstract

This paper reports on research designed to investigate the capacities of different highly characterized peats to remove odorous compounds from liquid swine manure (LSM). Peat types representing a wide range of properties were tested in order to establish which chemical and physical properties might be most indicative of their capacities to remediate odors produced by LSM. Eight percent slurries (of peat/LSM) were measured for odor changes after 24 hours using odor panel and GC/MS‐Solid‐phase microextraction (GC/MS‐SPME) analysis.

The GC/MS‐SPME and odor panel results indicated that, although all peats tested in this study were found to be effective at removing odor‐causing compounds found in LSM, some peats tended to work better than others. Overall, the peats that were the most effective at removing odor‐causing compounds tended to have lower bulk densities, ash contents, fulvic acids contents, and guaiacyl lignins contents,and higher water holding capacities, hydraulic conductivities, “total other lignins”; contents, hydrogen contents, carbon contents, and total cellulose contents.

GC/MS‐SPME analysis was found to be a reasonably inexpensive and efficient way of conducting this type of research. It allows one to identify a large number of the odor‐causing compounds found in LSM, and more importantly, to detect with some precision specific differences in the amounts of these compounds between peat types.     

Modeling effects of moisture content and advection on odor causing vocs volatilization from stored swine manure

Abstract

Two models for evaluating the contents and advection of manure moisture on odor causing volatile organic compounds (VOC‐odor) volatilization from stored swine manure were studied for their ability to predict the volatilization rate (indoor air concentration) and cumulative exposure dose: a MJ‐I model and a MJ‐II model. Both models simulating depletion of source contaminant via volatilization and degradation based on an analytical model adapted from the behavior assessment model of Jury et al. In the MJ‐I model, manure moisture movement was negligible, whereas in the MJ‐II model, time‐dependent indoor air concentrations was a function of constant manure moisture contents and steady‐state moisture advection. Predicted indoor air concentrations and inhaled doses for the study VOC‐odors of p‐cresol, toluene, and p‐xylene varied by up to two to three orders of magnitude depending on the manure moisture conditions. The sensitivity analysis of both models suggests that when manure moisture movement exists, simply MJ‐I model is inherently not sufficient to represent a more generally volatilization process, which can even become stringent as moisture content increases. The conclusion illustrates how one needs to include a wide variety of manure moisture values in order to fully assess the complex volatilization mechanisms that are present in a real situation.     

The Development of a Sampling System for the Determination of Odor Emission Rates from Areal Surfaces: Part II. Mathematical Model

Abstract

An improved design for an odor emission hood was examined in the laboratory using ammonia emission from a water surface. The experimental ammonia convective mass transfer coefficients from a diluted ammonia solution were determined at velocities of 0.3 m/s to 0.8 m/s using the odor emission hood. The theoretical ammonia convective mass transfer coefficients were also predicted by boundary layer theory under laminar flow conditions. It was found that experimental data were only 10% below theoretical predictions at an air velocity of 0.3 m/s to 0.6 m/s. The maximum velocity was limited to 0.6 m/s by the geometric size, shape and aerodynamic stability of the hood. At 0.33 m/s, the smallest variation of mass transfer coefficients was measured. The odor emission rate was found to be a function of air velocity to the power 0.5 in accordance with boundary layer theory. An odor sampling system based upon the odor emission hood provides a way to quantify the potential odor emission strength in sewage treatment plants, for odor dispersion modeling and odor control.     

Solids separation coupled with batch-aeration treatment for odor control from liquid swine manure

Previous studies on solids/liquid (S-L) separation for odor control from swine manure indicated that the practice might not technically be feasible because of the complexity of removing the fine particles, which are usually the major source of the odor problems. This study coupled S-L separation by sedimentation with an aeration treatment to quickly break down the fine as well as dissolved solids. Results showed that S-L separation of manure prior to aeration, at the same level of aeration, took only 1.5 days compared to 3 days needed for the control, to bring down volatile fatty acids (VFAs) to the "threshold of unacceptable level". In addition, it took 2.3 and 5 aeration-days for VFAs to reach the "acceptable level" for the separated liquid manure and the control, respectively. Results also showed that within the three weeks of post-aeration storage, the VFAs in the separated liquid manure consistently stayed 13.5 folds below the acceptable level. In the unseparated manure, the VFAs gradually increased upwards from 2.2 folds below acceptable level achieved at the end of aeration treatment, to 1.38 folds below the acceptable level at the end of the third week of storage and looked poised to definitely rise above the acceptable level in a matter of days. A strong relationship (R=0.99) between pH and the VFAs in the manure suggested that; degradation of VFAs rendered manure more basic as shown by the increase in pH. After only three days of aeration, the oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in the separated liquid manure stabilized at a much higher level of -15 mV, while the ORP in unseparated manure stabilized at a much lower level of -200 mV. The S-L separation treatment thus significantly improves the oxygen transfer efficiency, which in turn significantly reduces the aeration power needed to maintain adequate ORP if prolonged aeration is desired.     

Odor measurements for manure spreading using a subsurface deposition applicator

Odor emissions during manure spreading events have become a source of concern, particularly where farms are located nearby urban areas. The objective of the present study was to compare odor concentrations and odor emission rates due to pig manure application using two different types of applicators, a sub-surface deposition system and a conventional splash-plate applicator. Air samples were collected using a Surface Isolation Flux Chamber and the "bag-in-vacuum chamber" techniques, at 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 hours after manure application. A three-station forced-choice dynamic dilution olfactometer was used by an odor panel for determining odor concentration. Preliminary results indicated that with the sub-surface deposition system applicator odor emission rate was reduced by 8% to 38% compared to that of the conventional splash-plate applicator. The highest reduction in odor strength and odor emission rate was observed in the most offensive period after manure application. The sub-surface deposition system may be a solution for hog producers who wish to reduce odor complaints from applying manure without the cost and problems associated with deep injection systems.     

Annual variations of odor concentrations and emissions from swine gestation, farrowing, and nursery buildings

To obtain annual odor emission profiles from intensive swine operations, odor concentrations and emission rates were measured monthly from swine nursery, farrowing, and gestation rooms for a year. Large annual variations in odor concentrations and emissions were found in all the rooms and the impact of the seasonal factor (month) was significant (P < 0.05). Odor concentration was low in summer when ventilation rate was high but high in winter when ventilation rate was low, ranging from 362 (farrowing room in July) to 8934 (nursery room in December) olfactory unit (OU) m(-3). This indicates that the air quality regarding odor was significantly better in summer than that in winter. Odor emission rate did not show obvious seasonal pattern as odor concentration did, ranging from 2 (gestation room in November) to 90 (nursery room in April) OU m(-2) sec(-1); this explains why the odor complaints for swine barns have occurred all year round. The annual geometric mean odor concentration and emission rate of the nursery room was significantly higher than the other rooms (P < 0.05). In order to obtain the representative annual emission rate, measurements have to be taken at least monthly, and then the geometric mean of the monthly values will represent the annual emission rate. Incorporating odor control technologies in the nursery area will be the most efficient in reducing odor emission from the farm considering its emission rate was 2 to 3 times of the other areas. The swine grower-finisher area was the major odor source contributing 53% of odor emission of the farm and should also be targeted for odor control. Relatively positive correlations between odor concentration and both H2S and CO2 concentrations (R(2) = 0.58) means that high level of these two gases might likely indicate high odor concentration in swine barns.     

Diurnal Odor,Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide,and Carbon Dioxide Emission Profiles of Confined Swine Grower/Finisher Rooms

Abstract

The objective of this study was to obtain diurnal variation profiles of odor and gas (ammonia [NH₃], hydrogen sulfide [H₂S], carbon dioxide [CO₂]) concentrations and emission rate (OGCER) from confined swine grower/finisher rooms under three typical weather conditions (warm, mild, and cold weather) in a year. Two grower/finisher rooms, one with a fully slatted floor and the other with partially slatted floors, were measured for 2 consecutive days under each weather condition. The results revealed that the diurnal OGCER in the room with a fully slatted floor was 9.2–39.4% higher than that with a partially slatted floor; however, no significant differences in the diurnal OGCER were found between these two rooms, except for the NH₃ concentrations in August, the NH₃ and H₂S concentrations and emissions in October, and odor concentrations and emissions in February (p > 0.05). The OGCER variations presented different diurnal patterns as affected by time of day, season, type of floor, ventilation rate, animal growth cycles, in-house manure storage, and weather conditions. Significant diurnal fluctuations in the OGCER (except for the odor concentrations and H₂S emissions) were observed in August (p < 0.05); all of the gas emissions in October and the CO₂ concentrations and emissions in February also showed significant diurnal variations (p < 0.05). These significant diurnal variations indicated that the OGCER during different periods of a day should be monitored when quantifying OGCER concentrations and emissions; for example, source emission data used in air dispersion modeling to decrease the great incertitude of setback determination using randomly measured data.     

Relation between odor and odorous components in solid swine manure

Odor similarity of the synthetically prepared solutions and the extract from solid swine manure showed that the main components for odor of solid swine manure are carboxylic acids and sulfides and that p-cresol increases the malodor and skatole modifies the nature of the malodor.     

Use of AERMOD to Determine a Hydrogen Sulfide Emission Factor for Swine Operations by Inverse Modeling

This study was conducted to determine both optimal settings applied to the plume dispersion model, AERMOD, and a scalable emission factor for accurately determining the spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the vicinity of swine concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). These operations emit hydrogen sulfide from both housing structures and waste lagoons. With ambient measurements made at 4 stations within 1 km of large swine CAFOs in Iowa, an inverse-modeling approach applied to AERMOD was used to determine hydrogen sulfide emission rates. CAFO buildings were treated as volume sources whereas nearby lagoons were modeled as area sources. The robust highest concentration (RHC), calculated for both measured and modeled concentrations, was used as the metric for adjusting the emission rate until the ratio of the two RHC levels was unity. Utilizing this approach, an average emission flux rate of 0.57 μg/m(2)-s was determined for swine CAFO lagoons. Using the average total animal weight (kg) of each CAFO, an average emission factor of 6.06 × 10(-7) μg/yr-m(2)-kg was calculated. From studies that measured either building or lagoon emission flux rates, building fluxes, on a floor area basis, were considered equal to lagoon flux rates. The emission factor was applied to all CAFOs surrounding the original 4 sites and surrounding an additional 6 sites in Iowa, producing an average modeled-to-measured RHC ratio of 1.24. When the emission factor was applied to AERMOD to simulate the spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide around a hypothetical large swine CAFO (1M kg), concentrations 0.5 km from the CAFO were 35 ppb and dropped to 2 ppb within 6 km of the CAFO. These values compare to a level of 30 ppb that has been determined by the State of Iowa as a threshold level for ambient hydrogen sulfide levels.     

以养殖废水为底料的微生物燃料电池产电性能与水质净化效果

以养殖场沼泥为接种物,构建了乙二胺、三氯化铁改性碳毡阳极的单室无膜微生物燃料电池,探讨了2种阳极改性电池的产电规律,考察了其去除养殖废水中COD、氨氮的效果以及臭味的表观性状变化。结果表明,以葡萄糖为底物时,乙二胺、三氯化铁改性阳极微生物燃料电池在启动20 d和22 d后分别达到稳定,输出电压分别为0.514 V和0.527V(外阻为500Ω),对应输出功率密度分别为332 mW/m2和349 mW/m2。逐渐增大废水投加比例至原水时,2个电池的最大功率密度分别为208 mW/m2和158 mW/m2,COD去除率分别为85%和78%,氨氮去除率分别为52%和45%。此外,养殖废水的臭味去除效果明显。因此,构建的2种改性阳极微生物燃料电池可以利用养殖废水产电,同时使水质得到一定程度的净化。