Simultaneous Reduction of Thermal Stratification and Ammonia Concentrations in Poultry House During Brooding and in Cool Weather

HighlightsPen-scale system eliminated thermal stratification while full-scale system reduced thermal stratificationPen-scale system was moderately effective in trapping ammonia and reduced pen ammonia concentrations modestlyAmmonia trapping performance was mainly affected by dust build-upDust build-up was partly mitigated by a shakerCitric acid coated burlap placed upstream of livestock barn exhaust fans may reduce ammonia and dust emissionsAbstract. High ammonia (NH3) concentrations during poultry brooding can reduce bird performance and welfare. Thermal stratification during brooding can increase energy use and reduce bird welfare. A proof-of-concept heat recovery and NH3 control (HRAC) system consisting of a low-cost NH3 filter consisting of citric acid treated burlap placed upstream of a fan was evaluated for its ability to reduce barn NH3 concentration and thermal stratification. In the lab, 5% citric acid on burlap trapped 13 times more NH3 per unit mass of sorbent than activated carbon reported in the literature. Pen-scale and barn-scale HRAC prototypes using 15% citric acid on burlap eliminated and greatly reduced thermal stratification, respectively. The pen-scale HRAC had significant NH3 removal efficiencies ranging from the 17% to 42% in seven of nine events and compared, to the Control pens (no HRAC), significantly reduced floor [NH3] in two of nine events by 26% and 42%. The pen-scale HRAC also reduced footpad dermatitis at 15 d. Performance of the full-scale HRAC was highly variable. Clogging of the filter with particulate matter reduced airflow rates that was partially mitigated using a shaker. A vertical HRAC with a shaker might improve performance. There is need to investigate the effectiveness of 5% citric acid. The citric acid-treated burlap screen placed upstream of barn exhaust fans could reduce dust and NH3 emissions. Keywords: Breakthrough curve, Burlap, Citric acid, Emissions, Energy use, Footpad dermatitis.