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INVESTIGATOR: Dadson, R.; Hashem, F. M.; Millner, P.; Cotton, C. P.; Mulbry, W.; Harter-Dennis, J.; Vanotti, M.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
11868 College Backborne Road
Princess Anne, MARYLAND 21853

INTEGRATING POULTRY HOUSE HEATING AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT WITH BIOFILTERS AND BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Sustainable, economical systems are needed by small-scale poultry producers to reduce dependence on fossil fuel energy and to enhance environmentally-balanced, economically viable options for litter recycling/stabilization. This project proposes a series of research and developmental experiments needed to interface three key, but currently independent, technologies for a closing-the-loop technology package to solve persistent energy source supply and poultry litter management challenges confronting poultry producers. This project will use a systems-based, action-driven, trans-disciplinary approach with four objectives: 1) Design/evaluate new adaptations for converting low-temperature heat to electricity for poultry houses retrofitted with a non-photovoltaic (PV) solar heat collection system; 2) Design/evaluate performance of a novel non-PV solar heating system for poultry houses and high tunnels and greenhouses interfaced with a containerized biofertilizer production system and a heat-to-electricity power conversion unit; 3) Design, test, and optimize biofiltration for poultry house ventilation exhaust to capture and transform ammonia, volatile organic compounds, and particulates to beneficial products; and 4) Conduct outreach and technical training for students and poultry producers. A novel, rooftop, economical non-photovoltaic solar heating system will connect heated air to a novel, modified converter to transform heat to electricity; a modular in-vessel biofertilizer production system with biofiltration interfacing with the solar heating system. These developments will provide technical alternatives resulting in reduced costs for off-farm energy inputs needed to support poultry operations and environmentally sustainable systems for management of poultry litter, including capture and treatment of ammonia, other gaseous emissions and enhanced biofertilizer production. The modular biofertilizer production and biofiltration units present rural enterprise and job development opportunities.

OBJECTIVES: Goals and Objectives a) Objectives. Overall Objective: To reduce on-farm operation costs and environmental impacts associated with poultry production and litter management in an economical and environmentally responsible manner. Specific Objectives: Objective 1 (Research): Design and evaluate new adaptations for converting recovered heat to electricity for poultry houses retrofitted with a non-photovoltaic (PV) solar heat collection system. Objective 2 (Research): Design and evaluate performance of a novel non-PV solar roof based heating system for poultry houses and high tunnels/greenhouses interfaced with a containerized biofertilizer production system and a heat-to-electricity power conversion unit. Objective 3 (Research): Design, test, and optimize a containerized biofiltration system for poultry house ventilation exhaust systems that captures and transforms to beneficial products the ammonia, volatile organic compounds, and particulates. Objective 4 (Extension and Education): Provide outreach and technical training to the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) poultry producers and the UMES students and faculty on sustainable agricultural practices related to poultry production and to high tunnel season-extending, local, horticultural production, including non-PV solar heating, heat recovery-to-electricity conversion, biofiltration, and biofertilizer production. This technology will provide education on non-PV solar heating, heat recovery-to-electricity conversion, biofiltration, and biofertilizers production to stakeholders and UMES faculty and students. By including the various aspects of this project's research components, the teaching curricula of UMES Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences will be enhanced.