A New Application for Fine Ground Rubber in the Control of Odors from Livestock Manure Storage Structures

Authors

Lakshmi Koppolu, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Richard K. Koelsch, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Dennis D. Schulte, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Crystal Powers, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Dwaine Bundy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Date of this Version

July 2005

Comments

Written for presentation at the 2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Sponsored by ASAE, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida. 17 - 20 July 2005. Copyright © 2005 L. Koppolu, R. Koelsch, D. Schulte, C. Powers, and D. Bundy.

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to quantify the odor and gas emission benefits of a fine ground rubber cover on laboratory scale manure storage units and to evaluate the ability of a fine ground rubber cover applied to a commercial swine manure storage unit to remain intact and functional over an extended period of time. A three-inch cover of fine ground rubber reduced odors by 77 to 99 percent from the manure storage tanks over a six-week period. However, consistent reductions of NH₃ emissions were not observed and H₂S emissions from all manure storage treatments were below detectable limits. Assessments of the integrity of the fine ground rubber cover were promising for storage units in both the laboratory and field-scale trials.