Odour and ammonia emissions from intensive pig units in Ireland

Curran, T. P.; Hayes, Enda T; Dodd, V. A.

Abstract

Odour and ammonia emissions were measured at four intensive pig units in Ireland. Odour samples were collected on-site and analysed for odour concentration using an olfactometer. Ammonia concentrations in the exhaust ventilation air were measured using a portable sensor. The geomean odour emission rates over the four pig units were 17.2, 44.4, 4.3, 9.9 and 16.8 ouE s-1 animal-1 for dry sows, farrowing sows, first stage weaners, second stage weaners and finishers, respectively. The mean ammonia emission rates, measured at two of the units, were 12.1, 17.1, 1.4, 2.9 and 10.0 g d-1 animal-1 for dry sows, farrowing sows, first stage weaners, second stage weaners and finishers, respectively. In general, the odour and ammonia emission rates were comparable to those reported in literature, although some odour emission rate figures were noticeably lower for finishing pigs in this study. The variability in the data highlights the need for individual site assessment. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2006
• Journal: Bioresource Technology
• Print ISSN: 0960-8524
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 97
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 940-948
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.04.023
• Keywords: pig, odour, ammonia, olfactometry, house design
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1049090
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.04.023
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Lead author. Doctoral research of Hayes conducted at University College, Dublin (UCD) funded by the Irish Agricultural and Food Development Authority (Teagasc). Findings on factors influencing emissions are significant for the agricultural and environmental policies of the Irish government and for the agricultural environmental management practices of the Irish EPA.