S-1000
Regional Project
Animal
Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable
Agriculture
2003 Station
Reports
S-1000 Multi-State Research
Annual Report - 2003 University of Minnesota
Personnel Involved:
Larry D. Jacobson, Professor
Kevin A. Janni, Professor
Philip Goodrich, Associate Professor
David R. Schmidt, Assistant Extension Engineer
Brian Hetchler, Research Fellow
Verlyn Johnson, Information Technology Professional
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, St. Paul, MN
Jun Zhu, Assistant Professor
Zhijian Zhang, Post-Doctoral Associate
Curtis Miller, Assistant Scientist
Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN Objective 2. Develop,
evaluate, and refine physical, chemical and biological treatment processes
in engineered and natural systems for management of manures and other wastes.
Task 1. Develop and evaluate innovative applications of engineered biological
treatment processes to stabilize waste, reduce odor, and manage nutrients.
Dairy Milkhouse Wastewater Treatment
Progress to date
This project is funded by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station
and is led by Dr. Kevin A. Janni. Eight different systems have been
developed for treating milkhouse waste for medium sized dairy farms.
Cooperators were located and these systems have been installed during the
past year on existing dairy farms and are being monitored for effectiveness.
Usefulness of finding and impacts
The results from this project will evaluate and demonstrate potential techniques
and/or systems to reduce the environmental pollution from dairy milkhouse
wastewater and will disseminate these to stakeholders including producers,
regulators, and consultants.
Planned work for the next year
Monitoring of the demonstration sites will continue through 2004. Extension
publications and information will be released and possible field days at some
of the demonstration sites.
Publications
Christopherson, S., D.R. Schmidt, K.A. Janni and J. Zhu. 2003. Evaluation
and Demonstration of Treatment Options for Dairy Parlor and Milk House Wastewater.
ASAE Paper No. 034121. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
Developing and testing a pilot-scale surface aeration system to treat
swine manure for odor control
Progress to date
This one-year project was completed at the University Minnesota Southern
Research and Outreach Center (SROC) at Waseca, MN by Dr. Jun Zhu (Zhuxx034@umn.edu).
The project was funded by the Minnesota Legislature Rapid Agricultural Response
Fund. In this study, we developed a pilot-scale surface aeration system consisting
of a venturi air injector and a one horsepower centrifugal pump. The result
indicated a 90-95% reduction in manure biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), an
odor indicator used by many researchers, by intermittently operating the system
(only running from 8 am to 6 pm daily). The cost for the operation per pig
produced was estimated at $0.74.
Usefulness of findings and impacts
Aeration has been noted for a high-cost technique for years with little
application in the agricultural field. This project is aimed at developing
a feasible aeration system featuring low capital and operating cost, without
losing treatment effectiveness. The findings from this project have paved
the way for the next project in which a full scale aeration system will be
put in test on an actual swine manure lagoon.
Planned work for the next year
Based on the results from this project, a full-scale aeration system is
under development and will be installed and tested in an actual storage lagoon
in the coming year.
Publications
Zhang, Z. and J. Zhu. 2003. A Surface Aeration System to Reduce VFA,
BOD, and Solids in Manure Stored in Open Facilities. Accepted for publication
in ‘Applied Engineering in Agriculture’.
Zhang, Z and J. Zhu. 2003. A Surface Aeration System to Control Manure Odor
from Open Storage Facilities. In: Proc. of the 9th International Symposium
on Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Wastes. R. Burns (ed.), Oct. 10-12,
2003, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Development of a surface aeration system to treat swine manure for odor
control
Progress to date
This one-year project is the continuation of the previous project with the
second year funding approved by the same funding agency. A field-scale surface
aeration unit consisting of a venturi air injector and a two-horsepower centrifugal
pump is under construction and will be placed on an actual lagoon later this
year or early next year. The project is ongoing and has not generated any
information yet.
Usefulness of findings and impacts
It is desired that upon completion of this project, a practical aeration
unit affordable to swine producers will become available for use in controlling
odor from open manure storage facilities.
Planned work for the next year
Constructing and testing the system will be the major task in the next year.
Publications
None.
Development and evaluation of sequencing
batch reactors to remove both nitrogen and phosphorus
Progress to date
This one-year project is still ongoing at the University Minnesota Southern
Research and Outreach Center (SROC) at Waseca, MN by Dr. Jun Zhu (Zhuxx034@umn.edu).
The project was funded by the University of Minnesota Office of International
Program Fund to partially support a professor on his sabbatical leave from
an institution in South Korea. In this study, lab-scale bioreactors were built
to study and optimize the treatment performance (see the photo attached below).
The reactors are equipped with an automated controlling system that allows
us to investigate variety of parameters affecting the effectiveness of bioreactors
in removing phosphorus and nitrogen by microorganisms.
Usefulness of findings and impacts
Use of bioreactors provides increased control of the biological process
in which manure nutrients are removed. We hope that we can gain in-depth
knowledge of the treatment in terms of the effectiveness in removing nutrients
from swine manure under different process conditions such as temperature
and aeration rate. The findings from this study will help in designing field-scale
bioreactors to achieve manure nutrient management at farm level.
Planned work for the next year
Complete the experiment and data analysis.
Publications
None. Objective 2. Develop,
evaluate, and refine physical, chemical and biological treatment processes
in engineered and natural systems for management of manures and other wastes.
Task 3. Develop and evaluate physical and chemical treatments for recovering
or stabilizing manure solids or manure treatment by-products for improved
utilization alternatives.
The effect of manure solids content on aeration efficiency
Progress to date
This one-year project was completed at the University Minnesota Southern
Research and Outreach Center (SROC) at Waseca, MN by Dr. Jun Zhu (Zhuxx034@umn.edu).
The project was funded by the Minnesota Legislature Rapid Agricultural Response
Fund. In this study, a lab-scale aeration system was used to evaluate the
impact of manure solids content on aeration efficiency. Four different solids
levels of swine manure were tested: 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, & 4.0%.
Usefulness of findings and impacts
It was found that when the amount of manure solids increased from 0.5% to
4.0%, it led to a reduction in oxygen transfer efficiency (OTC) by 75%. This
means that the OTC in manure at 4.0% solid is reduced to about 1/4 the level
of efficiency of what it would be in manure at 0.5% total solids level. Put
another way, the energy consumption for manure with 4.0% total solids is about
four times that for manure with 0.5% solids content, in order to achieve the
same treatment. It concludes that reducing solids in manure prior to aeration
may significantly lower energy cost for aeration operation.
Planned work for the next year
No future work has been planned for this project at this moment.
Publications
Zhu, J., 2002. Manure Separator Boosts Efficiency of Aeration Treatment.
National Hog Farmer 47(12): 12-13. Objective 3. Develop
methodology, technology, and management practices to reduce odors, gases,
airborne microflora, particulate matter, and other airborne emissions from
animal production systems.
Task 1. Develop standard methods of collection, measurement, and categorizing
or reporting of airborne emissions (odors, gases, particulates, endotoxins,
pathogens, and other materials) from animal production operations
Aerial Pollutant Emissions from Animal Confinement Buildings
Larry D. Jacobson, Co-PI, University of Minnesota
Albert J. Heber, Co-PI, Purdue University
Yuanhui Zhang, Cooperator, University of Illinois
Jacek Koziel & John Sweeten, Cooperators, Texas A&M University
Dwaine Bundy & Steven Hoff, Cooperators, Iowa State University
David Beasley & Jerry Baughman, Cooperators, North Carolina State University
Progress to date
This multi-state, 2.5 year, federally funded (IFAFS) project was begun in
the fall of 2001 to measure air emissions (NH3, H2S, CO2, PM10 and bimonthly
value of odor) from six animal housing systems (pig farrowing, gestation,
and two different finishing buildings as well as chicken layer and broiler
facilities) located in six different states. Common protocols were developed
for air sampling using instrument trailers (see photo below) from the two
side by side buildings at each site was started in 2002 and will be continued
into 2004. Identical equipment and procedures are being used at all locations.
Emission data collected to date from the building sites varies from 2 to 10
months if valid values depending on the parameter and site. The goal is to
obtain 12 months or a full year of data from each site. In addition to the
emission parameters mentioned, Total Suspendable Paricles (TSP) are also being
measured periodically using several different methods. Quality control and
assurance procedures of the data collected and analysis will be done.
Usefulness of finding
Information from this research will provide producers, technical assistance
providers, regulators, and compilers of emission inventories with accurate
information that is consistent with rigorous environmental protection requirements
and rural socioeconomic needs. The goal of the project is to determine the
Target Air Pollutants (TAP) emission rates for six common animal confinement
buildings from different sections of the US and evaluate the differences in
emissions due to season of year, time of day, building design, growth cycle
of the animals, and building management. The aerial pollutants including odor,
ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate
matter (PM) emitted by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can
create neighborhood nuisance, animal or human health concerns, or non-compliance
with state or federal regulations.
Future work
Collection of data will continue as mentioned above until the spring of
2004. Specific data management software is being implemented to systematically
process the large amount of data that has and is being collected in the project.
Funding is being sought to continue this project at other animal species sites
in 5 of the 6 states starting in 2004.
Recent Research Publication
Jacobson, L.D. J.R. Bicudo, D.R. Schmidt, S.W. Gay, R.S. Gates &
S.J. Hoff. 2003. Air Emissions from Animal Production Buildings. In proceedings
of the XI Inter. Congress in Animal Hygiene held in Mexico City, Mexico, Feb
23-27, 2003. p. 147 – 169.
Jacobson, L.D. A.J. Heber, Y. Zhang, J. Sweeten, J. Koziel, S.J. Hoff, D.S.
Bundy, D.B. Beasley, G.R. Baughman. 2003. Air Pollutant Emissions from Confined
Animal Buildings in the U.S., In proceedings of the Inter. Symposium on Gaseous
& Odour Emissions from Animal Production Facilities held in Horsens, Denmark,
June 1-4, 2003. p. 194-202.
Heber, A.J., Ni, J., Lim, T.T., Tao, P., Millmier, A.M., Jacobson, L.D.,
Nicolai, R.E., Koziel, J., Hoff, S.J., Zhang, Y. and Beasley, D.B. 2002. Quality
Assured Measurements of Animal Building Emissions: Part 1. Gas Concentrations.
Presented at Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology,
Nov 13-15, 2002 in San Francisco, CA. Sponsored by the Air & Waste Management
Association.
Heber, A.J., Ni, J., Lim, T.T., Tao, P., Millmier, A.M., Jacobson, L.D.,
Nicolai, R.E., Koziel, J., Hoff, S.J., Zhang, Y. and Beasley, D.B. 2002. 2002.
Quality Assured Measurements of Animal Building Emissions: Part 1. Pariculate
Matter Concentrations. Presented at Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods
and Technology, Nov 13-15, 2002 in San Francisco, CA. Sponsored by the Air
& Waste Management Association.
Jacobson, L.D., Nicolai, R.E., Heber, A.J., Ni, J., Lim, T.T., Koziel, J.,
Hoff, S.J., Zhang, Y. and Beasley, D.B. 2002. Quality Assured Measurements
of Animal Building Emissions: Part 1. Odor Concentrations. Presented at Symposium
on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology, Nov 13-15, 2002 in San
Francisco, CA. Sponsored by the Air & Waste Management Association.
K.D. Casey, Wheeler, E.F., R.S. Gates, H. Xin, P.A. Topper, J. Zajaczkowski,
Y. Liang, A.J. Heber, and L.D. Jacobson. 2002. Quality assured measurements
of animal building emissions: Part 4. Airflow. Symposium on Air Quality Measurement
Methods and Technology, San Francisco, CA: November 13-25, Air and Waste Management
Association: Pittsburgh, PA.
Development of methods to measure gas, dust, and odor emissions from
Minnesota pig facilities
Progress to Date:
This project is led by Larry D. Jacobson and funded by the National Pork
Board. Gas (NH3, H2S, and CO2) measurements were continuously collected from
the two Minnesota pig finishing facilities (a deep-bedded hoop barn and a
curtain-sided slatted barn) using an environmental controlled instrument trailer
(see photo below). Ammonia (NH3) concentrations inside both barns were quite
similar in the winter and summer but the emission of NH3 were higher in the
hoop barn on a per pig basis. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations and emissions
were lower in the hoop barn compared to the curtain barn during both winter
and summer except for the per pig emissions in the winter. Particulates (PM10)
concentrations and per pig emissions were almost the same for both barn types
during the winter and summer. Odor concentrations and per pig emissions in
the winter were lower in the hoop barn compared to the curtain barn but both
levels were similar between the barns in the summer, showing a slight advantage
of lower odor emissions in the hoop barn during warm conditions. Although
these results are helpful in evaluating the air quality impact from these
different pig finishing housing systems, it must be remembered that the winter
and summer values were not measured simultaneously because of the availability
of only one set of gas analyzers, dust collectors, and a single instrument
trailer. Also, these comparisons are only between single barn types and these
specific barns will not exactly represent all barns.
Usefulness of information:
Information from this research will provide producers, technical assistance
providers, regulators, and compilers of emission inventories with accurate
information that is consistent with rigorous environmental protection requirements
and rural socioeconomic needs. Air emissions values for specific housing systems
will aid producers in the selection of pig housing facilities and allow existing
and future air dispersion tools to be used for siting of production operations
that will have minimum impact on neighbors and the environment.
Future Work:
More emission measurements are being collected from commodity and federally
funded research projects that will extend over greater time periods to verify
trends that may have been found in this study. All of this information
is being compiled in an emission database for use in dispersion modeling and
for outreach programs both within and outside of the state.
Recent Research Publications:
Jacobson, L.D., D.R. Schmidt, J.K.Lake, V.J. Johnson, 2003. Ammonia,
Hydrogen Sulfide, Odor, and PM10 Emissions from Deep-Bedded Hoop and Curtain-Sided
Pig Finishing Barns in Minnesota. To be presented at the ASAE “Air Pollution
from Agicultural Operation” Conference held in Raleigh, NC, Oct 12-15, 2003. Objective 3. Develop
methodology, technology, and management practices to reduce odors, gases,
airborne microflora, particulate matter, and other airborne emissions from
animal production systems.
Task 2. Determine short and long term impacts of airborne emissions from
animal production units.
Evaluation and implementation of OFFSET (Odor From Feedlots-Setback
Estimation Tool) in selected Minnesota counties
Progress to date
This 2-year completed project was funded by a special University of Minnesota
(Rapid Response) research program and was lead by Larry Jacobson (jacob007@umn.edu).
Five Minnesota counties (Carver, Nicollet, Stearns, Steel, and Winona) were
selected to evaluate the OFFSET (Odor from Feedlot – Setback Estimation Tool)
method on actual farms in the counties. The original amount of about 570 reported
odor events collected were, by comparing it with weather information or by
lack of important data, reduced to 309 observations that were compared with
the model. In 199 (64%) of these an odor less than intensity 2 was predicted
but an odor higher than intensity 2 was reported. In 99 cases (32%) the predicted
and reported odor intensity was in agreement, being either higher than 2 or
below 2. Regarding all observations the observed odor intensity was significantly
higher than the predicted.
Possible reasons for these mixed results are; variations in odor rating
and sensitivity of resident recorders, wind speed fluctuations, possible
errors and fluctuations in odor emissions from each farm (only one emission
measurements were made at each farm), topographic variation between sites
since OFFSET assumes flat surfaces, and background emissions from other sources
that may have contributed to what resident recorders were smelling. These
findings indicated that odor setback models are at best estimation tools
but improvement in their predictions can be made with better emission values,
better weather data, and dispersion models which consider topographic effects.
Usefulness of findings
The OFFSET tool remains one of the few useful tools by local government
agencies to assist in the development of setback distances for new or expanding
livestock and poultry facilities. The results of this project will aid in
the improvement and use of OFFSET and other tools used to establish objective
setback distances between animal production sites and local residents and
businesses. Animal producers can also gain important information on the local
impact of how odor control technologies that reduces total emissions from
a production site as a decision aid. More validation and implementation
of this science-based tool is needed to eliminate or at least minimize local
controversies that have developed due to odor emissions from animal production
facilities, which will enhance future growth of the livestock and poultry
industries in the state.
Future work
Funding has been secured to continue working in air dispersion modeling
(using other models such as AERMOD) for establishing setbacks with several
projects focus on hydrogen sulfide concentrations at property lines.
Recent Research Publication
Guo, H., L.D. Jacobson, D.R. Schmidt, R.E. Nicolai. 2003. Evaluation
of the Influence of Atmospheric Conditions on Odor Dispersion from Animal
Production Sites. Transactions of the ASAE. Vol.46(2): 461-466.
Nimmermark, S.A., L.D. Jacobson, S.W. Gay, D.R. Schmidt. 2003. Evaluation
of OFFSET (Odor Setback Model) Using Neighborhood Monitors. ASAE paper
# 034024, presented at the ASAE International Meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada,
July 27- 30, 2003.
Development and Evaluation of a Dispersion Model for Determining Setbacks
for Animal Production Sites Based on Hydrogen Sulfide Concentrations
Progress to date
This common project description covers research projects, led by Larry D.
Jacobson, and funded by the National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management,
the National Pork Board (NPB), the Minnesota Pork Producer Association (MPPA),
and the University of Minnesota Experiment Station. Cooperation with these
projects is coming from Iowa State University (Steve Hoff), University of
Nebraska (Dennis Schulte), and the National Pork Board (Carrie Tengman).
The overall goal of these projects are to development air dispersion models
(AERMOD, INPUFF2, and possibly others) methods or tools that predict downwind
concentration of odor and hydrogen sulfide and evaluate these tools with measurements
of these same airborne contaminants from actual pig housing facilities.
These projects are beginning this fall with work on both the modeling efforts
and data collection. A post doc has been secured to do the modeling using
dispersion models and weather data for the upper Midwest. Monitoring
instruments have been secured for the downwind measurements of H2S and
trained field sniffers for odor from an existing pig finishing site that is
presently having the emissions monitored for a separate project.
Usefulness of findings and impacts
Results of these projects will be used to develop an OFFSET (Odor From Feedlot-Setback
Estimation Tool) like tool that can be used by county and state officials
to establish science-based setback distances from neighbors and property lines
to meet existing state statues.
Planned work for next year
The work will continue both on develop of dispersion tools using several
existing models along with evaluation of these models with the collected monitoring
data from actual pig production sites. This will be packaged in a way that
is user friendly so it can be implemented by personnel at the local level
(township and county) of government as well as consultants and other planners
of animal production operations.
Publications