Air Filtration Study

FIELD Evaluation of an Electrostatic Air Filtration System in a High-Rise Layer House

PROJECT OVERVIEW

To reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission through fine particulate matter, air filtration is a viable consideration. The purpose of the study was to evaluate a potential economically feasible and effective method of filtration at a commercial layer facility. This project tested the efficacy of a low-grade air filter coupled with an Electrostatic Particle Ionization (EPI) system. The system was installed in the air inlets and was monitored for reducing particulate matter (PM) of the ventilation air. Temporal changes of building static pressure (SP) – an indicator to ventilation restriction by the air filtration system was also quantified.

PROJECT TAKE AWAY

According to field measurements, taken for the period of one year, removal efficiency of the EPI system was up to 80% in summer and 60% in winter. Depending on the time of year, the system resulted in a PM 2.5 and PM 10 reduction ranging from 30-66% and 36-68%, respectively. Removal efficiency became unstable when solely relying on the filter (with the EPI turned off) for PM removal. Filter replacement was needed after approximately 16 weeks of use during in the spring/summer months. It was found that the timing of filter replacement could be determined by analyzing changes in SP or by image assessment of filter appearance.

 

 

Further Promotion of this Research

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 2017 Annual International Meeting Conference Proceeding

Mitigation Study

Mitigation of ammonia and PM generation in litter-floored cage-free hen housing systems

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Cage-free laying hen housing systems have introduced a challenge of poor air quality. This is due mostly to increased bird activity in floor areas with litter, which produces increased concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM). While Acidic Electrolyzed Water (AEW) systems can help mitigate PM levels and disinfect housing environments, added moisture in a housing system may generate higher levels of ammonia because of an increase the moisture content of the litter. This lab-scale study, and later commercial scale investigation, tests the effect of AEW on PM, ammonia generation, and emissions. The goal is to identify the optimal combination of AEW spray dosage and PH to reduce both PM and ammonia.

PROJECT FINDINGS UPDATE

The preliminary results of the lab-scale study indicate PM can be reduced by 60-70% through the use of AEW. However, because spraying liquid on litter can enhance NH3 emissions, it is important to apply a low pH liquid to the litter. When assessing this research for wide-scale industry application, the potential corrosive effect of low pH liquid application on the housing equipment needed addressed. Therefore, a commercial poultry litter additive was tested together with neutral electrolyzed water spray to attempt a simultaneous reduction of both NH3 and PM. Results from this portion of the study indicated that if the litter additive was applied at the higher end of the recommended rate, litter NH3 emissions could be reduced by up to 79%. The commercial cage-free layer house field verification study is on-going at this time.

 

 

Further Promotion of this Research

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 2017 Annual International Meeting Conference Proceeding