Odor Control for Deep Pit Swine Confinement Facilities: Testing the Rapp Technology

The pork industry is experiencing difficulties with animal waste management. Pork producers are being sued because of the stench and by groups pollution. Air pollution is associated with odor, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions and water pollution is associated with the buildup of nitrogen and phosphorous from manure. New lagoons are banned in many regions. The Rapp technology could revolutionize the pork industry by treating the manure in the deep-pits of hog confinement buildings, reducing odors and rendering lagoons obsolete. This proposal examines the efficacy of the Rapp pit treatment. Results have been positive, but more scientific testing is needed. Objectives are to establish the extent of odor reduction using this technology and to establish its effect on ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and nutrient levels of the by-product manure. The efficacy of the Rapp pit treatment will be determined in both laboratory and field-testing. The laboratory study will be the same as was used to evaluate 35 pit additives; none were judged to reduce odors. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions will be monitored and the manure nutrient content will be measured pre- and post-treatment. The field-testing involves analyzing air samples from three typical confinement buildings. One has the Rapp technology, another will remain untreated and the third will be treated during testing.