Control of hydrogen sulphide emissions from swine barns using nitrite and molybdate: effect of manure age

This study will provide an effective and practical way of controlling H2S emissions from swine barns. It will contribute to mitigating the health and environmental concerns associated with H2S and thus enhance the acceptability and sustainability of the swine industry.

Emission of odorous and gaseous compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) from livestock operations can be a major impediment to the expansion of these facilities, especially in locations close to populated areas. Occupational and environmental concerns, as well as stricter government regulations, require the control of H₂S emissions. A biological approach used in the oil industry, in which nitrite and/or molybdate are added to control the production of H₂S in oil reservoirs, was shown to be effective in controlling H₂S emissions from swine manure. The method utilizes nitrite and molybdate as metabolic inhibitor to hinder the activity of bacteria responsible for the production of H₂S from manure. With fresh manure, addition of 80 millimole (mM) nitrite or 2 mM molybdate reduced H₂S concentration from 6000 parts per million (ppm) to below 100 ppm in small-scale systems. Low H₂S concentrations were maintained throughout the treatment using molybdate, but with nitrite, concentrations increased again after a few days. The effect of manure age on the level of emitted H₂S and the required quantity of nitrite and molybdate was also investigated using fresh, 1, 3, and 6 month-old manure. The extent of H₂S emission from aged manure was lower than the fresh manure and so was the required level of nitrite and molybdate to control the emission of H₂S. Experiments in semi-pilot and room-scale systems are being conducted to verify the trends observed from the small-scale systems and to assess the effectiveness of this approach in real barn situations. The economic aspects of this approach will also be evaluated.

Implications: This study will provide an effective and practical way of controlling H₂S emissions from swine barns. It will contribute to mitigating the health and environmental concerns associated with H₂S and thus enhance the acceptability and sustainability of the swine industry.

L. Moreno, B. Predicala and M. Nemati. Control of hydrogen sulphide emissions from swine barns using nitrite and molybdate: effect of manure age. Advances in Pork Production. 2009. Vol. 20. Abstract #17

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Control of hydrogen sulphide emissions from swine barns using nitrite and molybdate: effect of manure age

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