The Prairie Swine Centre - Sprayed Water Shown to Reduce Peak H2S Concentrations

Research at the Prairie Swine Centre has shown the use of sprayed water during the agitation of manure can dramatically reduce the peak concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas. As part a multi faceted effort to reduce the dangers posed by high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide during manure cleanout scientists at the Prairie Swine have completed a bench scale study comparing a variety of treatments using sprayed water. Research Scientist in Engineering Dr. Bernardo Predicala says H2S levels tend to peak during certain procedures in the barn. "Hydrogen sulfide is specifically released in swine barns when the manure is agitated and it is released in sudden bursts so that we get a peak concentration during agitation. We know that hydrogen sulfide can be a soluble so the idea here is to try to wash down that amount of hydrogen sulfide released during the operation by spraying water on the surface of the manure during agitation. We tested different spray applications. First, we don't apply any spray of course and then the other one is we apply water only and then, other sprays, we mix with an additive that we got from a company that we cooperated with and we mixed that with the water at different proportions. Basically what we found out is that if you apply water spray, water only, then you accelerate the reduction in the amount of the hydrogen sulfide that is released. When you agitate you get a peak concentration and then it will slowly go down itself even if you don't do anything. If you apply the water spray then you accelerate the reduction in the peak concentration. That's why you avoid having high concentrations during agitation." Dr. Predicala says the next step will be to assess the technique under commercial conditions to determine the number of nozzles and volume of water needed to achieve acceptable results, and how the process will impact H2S levels and other air quality parameters such as ammonia emission and odor.