Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from co-composting of dead hens with manure as affected by forced aeration rate
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The Department of Animal Science originally concerned itself with teaching the selection, breeding, feeding and care of livestock. Today it continues this study of the symbiotic relationship between animals and humans, with practical focuses on agribusiness, science, and animal management.
History
The Department of Animal Husbandry was established in 1898. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Animal Science in 1962. The Department of Poultry Science was merged into the department in 1971.
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- Department of Animal Husbandry (1898–1962)
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Poultry Science (merged with, 1971)
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
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- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
The effect of ventilation rate (VR) on ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from composting piles of dead hens mixed with hen manure was quantified by measuring the gaseous concentrations and airflow rate through the compost bins. Three VR levels of 0.9, 0.7 and 0.5 m³/hr/bin (equivalent to the air exchanges per hour of 0.9, 0.7 and 0.5) were evaluated, each with three replicates. The compost piles were turned once (on day 58) during the 11-wk composting period. Gaseous concentrations of the inlet and exhaust air of the compost bins were measured using a multi-gas infrared photoacoustic analyzer coupled with a multi-channel sampler; VR was measured with a flow meter; and the emission rate (ER) of each gas was computed from the VR and the gas concentration. Decomposition of the carcass over the 11-wk composting period was found to be greater than 88%, as assessed by the reduction in carcass mass. NH3 ER was relatively stable when the compost pile was at high temperatures (~60?). Sharp increase in carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions occurred quickly after construction of the compost pile. VR was found to significantly affect NH3, CO2 and CH4 emissions (p less than 0.05). Specifically, cumulative emissions per kg of initial co-compost matter for the three VR of 0.9, 0.7 and 0.5 m³/hr/bin were, respectively, 2.4, 2.0 and 1.2 g NH3; 78, 66 and 42 g CO2; 120, 90 and 52 mg CH4; and 6.4, 6.1 and 5.1 mg N2O. Hence, the study results suggest that the rate of forced aeration can be adjusted to reduce NH3 and GHG emissions from animal mortality compositing.
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This proceeding is published as Dong, Hongmin, Zhiping Zhu, Jialin Xi and Hongwei Xin. "Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from co-composting of dead hens with manure as affected by forced aeration rate." ASABE Annual International Meeting, Louisville, KY, August 7-10, 2011. Paper No. 1110759. Posted with permission.