BIOFILTERS ODOR CONTROL
AIR QUALITY
Biofilters for Odor and Air Pollution Mitigation in Animal Agriculture
AIR QUALITY EDUCATION IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE
Kevin A. Janni, Professor, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota kjanni@umn.edu
Richard K. Nicolai, Associate Professor,
Department of Agricultural and
Biological Engineering, South Dakota
State University
Steven Hoff, Professor, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering,
Iowa State University
Rose M. Stenglein, Junior Scientist,
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of
Minnesota
This publication discusses biofilters use and design and performance factors. Contents
Introduction.............................1
Biofilter Types..........................2
Biofilter Elements ...................3
Design, Performance...............4
Health, Safety..........................7
Costs.......................................7
References..............................8
Mitigation Strategies: Biofilters
November 2011
B
iofilters are a proven and effective method for reducing odor and other gaseous emissions from mechanically ventilated animal facilities and manure storage units.
Biofilters work by absorbing noxious gases into a biofilm where microorganisms break down the gases into carbon dioxide, water, and salts and use the energy and nutrients to grow and reproduce. Well-designed and managed biofilters can reduce odors and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by as much as 95 percent and ammonia (NH3) by 80 percent.
Biofilters have been used by nonagricultural industries for many years and on animal facilities for over 12 years in North America.
Biofilters are actively being researched; additional information about pollution reduction efficiencies, biofilter media, configurations, and maintenance will be available in coming years. Additional potential benefits may include reducing airborne transmission of viruses and reducing
Biofilters for Odor and Air Pollution Mitigation in Animal Agriculture
AIR QUALITY EDUCATION IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE
Kevin A. Janni, Professor, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota kjanni@umn.edu
Richard K. Nicolai, Associate Professor,
Department of Agricultural and
Biological Engineering, South Dakota
State University
Steven Hoff, Professor, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering,
Iowa State University
Rose M. Stenglein, Junior Scientist,
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of
Minnesota
This publication discusses biofilters use and design and performance factors. Contents
Introduction.............................1
Biofilter Types..........................2
Biofilter Elements ...................3
Design, Performance...............4
Health, Safety..........................7
Costs.......................................7
References..............................8
Mitigation Strategies: Biofilters
November 2011
B
iofilters are a proven and effective method for reducing odor and other gaseous emissions from mechanically ventilated animal facilities and manure storage units.
Biofilters work by absorbing noxious gases into a biofilm where microorganisms break down the gases into carbon dioxide, water, and salts and use the energy and nutrients to grow and reproduce. Well-designed and managed biofilters can reduce odors and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by as much as 95 percent and ammonia (NH3) by 80 percent.
Biofilters have been used by nonagricultural industries for many years and on animal facilities for over 12 years in North America.
Biofilters are actively being researched; additional information about pollution reduction efficiencies, biofilter media, configurations, and maintenance will be available in coming years. Additional potential benefits may include reducing airborne transmission of viruses and reducing
References: Chen, L., S. J. Hoff, J. A. Koziel, L. Cai, B. C. Zelle, and G. Sun. 2008. Performance evaluation of a wood chip-based biofilter using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatographymass spectrometry-olfactometry Devinny, J. S., M. A. Deshusses, and T. S. Webster. 1999. Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control. Garlinski, E. M., and D. D. Mann. 2003. Design and evaluation of horizontal air flow biofilter on a swine facility Hartung, E., T. Jungbluth, and W. Buscher. 2001. Reduction of ammonia and odor emissions from a piggery with biofilters Janni, K. A., W. J. Maier, T. H. Kuehn, C. H. Yang, B. B. Bridges, and D. Vesley. 2001. Evaluation of biofiltration of air, an innovative air pollution control technology Janni, K. A., D. R. Schmidt, A. Goldman, and T. Schaar. 2009. Alternative gas-phase biofilter media characteristics and performance Kastner, J. R., K. C. Das, and B. Crompton. 2004. Kinetics of ammonia removal in a pilot-scale biofilter Li, X. W., S. J. Hoff, D. S. Bundy, J. Harmon, H. Xin, and J. Zhu. 1996. Biofilters — a malodor control technology for livestock industry Liberty, K. R., and J. L. Taraba. 1999. Solid-state biofilter for nitrification. ASABE Paper No. Luo, J. 2001. A pilot-scale study on biofilters for controlling animal rendering process odours. In Proc Martinec, M., E. Hartung, T. Jungbluth, F. Schneider, and P. H. Wieser. 2001. Reduction of gas, odor and dust emissions for swine operations with biofilters Melse, R. W., and N. W. M. Ogink. 2005. Air scrubbing techniques for ammonia and odor reduction at livestock operations: Review of on-farm research in the Netherlands Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 1997. Development of a low-cost biofilter for swine production facilities Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 1998. Comparison of biofilter retention time. ASAE Paper No. Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 1998b. Biofiltration — adaptation to livestock facilities. In Proc. Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 1999. Effect of biofilter retention time on emissions from dairy, swine, and poultry buildings Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 2000. Designing biofilters for livestock facilities. In Proc. 2nd International Conference Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 2001. Biofilter media mixture ratio of wood chips and compost treating swine odors Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 2001a. Determining pressure drop through compost-wood chip biofilter media Nicolai, R. E., and K. A. Janni. 2001b. Biofiltration media mixture ratio of wood chips and compost treating swine odors Nicolai, R. E., K. A. Janni, and D. R. Schmidt. 2002. Biofilter design information. Available at: www.bae.umn.edu/extens/aeu/baeu18.html. Nicolai, R. E., R. S. Lefers, and S. H. Pohl. 2005. Configuration of a vertical biofilter. In Livestock Environment VII: Proc Nicolai, R. E., C. J. Clanton, K. A. Janni, and G. L. Malzer. 2006. Ammonia removal during biofiltration as affected by inlet air temperature and media moisture content Nicolai, R.E., and R. Thaler. 2007. Vertical biofilter construction and performance. In Proc. Noren, O. 1985. Design and use of biofilters for livestock buildings. In Odour Prevention of Control and Organic Sludge and Livestock Farming, 234-237 Prokop, W. H., and H. L. Bohn. 1985. Soil bed system for control of rendering plant odors. J. Air Pollut Rosen, C. J., T. R. Halbach, and R. Mugaas. 2000. Composting and mulching, a guide to managing organic yard wastes Sheridan, B. A., T. P. Curran, and V. A. Dodd. 2002. Assessment of the influence of media particle size on the biofiltration of odorous exhaust ventilation air from a piggery facility Sun, Y., C. J. Clanton, K. A. Janni, and G. L. Malzer. 2000. Sulfur and nitrogen balances in biofilters for odorous gas emission control VDI. 1991. VDI 3477, Biological Waste Gas/Waste Air Purification Biofilters. Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, Dusseldorf, Germany. von Bernuth, R. D., K. Vallieu, and H. Nix. 1999. Experiences with a biofilter on a slatted floor hog barn Williams, T. Q., and F. C. Miller. 1992. Odour Control Using Biofilters. BioCycle 33, 72-77. Zeisig, H. D., and T. U. Munchen. 1987. Experiences with the use of biofilters to remove odours from piggeries and hen houses Zhang, Z., T. L. Richard, and D. S. Bundy. 1999. Effects of organic cover biofilters on odors from liquid manure storage