Control of Gas and Odor Levels in Swine Facilities Using Filters with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract. The effectiveness of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as filtering media for controlling the levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), and odor in swine facilities was evaluated in this study. Semi-pilot scale tests were done to determine basic operational factors, the results of which showed that the fluidized bed air filtration system (FBAFS), loaded with ZnO nanoparticles at a rate of 0.28 g cm-2 of filter area, and a gas flow rate equivalent to 0.5 m s-1 face velocity achieved significant reduction in target gas levels. The performance of this filter system was further investigated in a room-scale environmental chamber representative of normal swine production conditions. When installed as part of the ventilation air recirculation system of the room, the FBAFS with ZnO nanoparticles achieved about 65% H2S and 42% NH3 reductions in the human-occupied zones but had no significant impact on pig performance as well as odor levels in the chamber. Keywords: Ammonia, Face velocity, Filtration, Hydrogen sulfide, Nanoparticles, Odor, Swine, Ventilation, Zinc oxide.