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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.

APPROACH: This project is an integrated project that will address, in details, two of the three components of the Land-grant System, Teaching, Research and Extension and thus, is designed to build capacity in all three areas especially the research and extension areas. To accomplish this task, we will take advantage of the unique expertise and resources of our strong collaborating with partners from the private industry private as well as scientists from three laboratories at USDA-ARS. Research and Extension represent the base of this integrated project that addresses knowledge gaps that are critical to the reduction of on-farm operation costs and environmental impacts associated with poultry production and litter in the Delmarva region. The research component of this project will be complemented with the following: 1) outreach and technology transfer, 2) training of students and faculty, and 3) research and extension capacity building. Teaching will be linked to research objectives of the project (integration), via providing experiential training for students in agricultural engineering design and technology development. Faculty capacity building will be realized through interaction with the ARS scientists and solar and compost engineering company specialists who will cooperate in conducting the research and development. The project will provide a model for integration of applied sciences, teaching, experiential learning and demonstration project outreach. The impact of the technology integration and potential on-farm benefits will be demonstrated directly to producers at UMES and BARC at field-days and workshops, and by assessments of willingness to accept and try the technology for poultry or high tunnel production. Furthermore, the integration and field-days and workshops will serve as a model for the agriculture students to learn about integrating extension and outreach efforts with research and development.

PROGRESS: 2012/09 TO 2017/08
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include, but not limited to, poultry producers, Delmarva poultry industries, Alternative energy industrial communities, local farm owners, UMES faculty, and students, and staff and the scientific communities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training and professional development opportunities were achieved in two portions for this study. First, UMES faculty members and several undergraduate and graduate students received extensive knowledge and guidance from Capital Sun Inc. and America Solar specialist to install, test and evaluate the polymer-based solar collection system. Second, a team of scientist one from USDA-ARS-BARC-Beltsville, MD and four from USDA/ARS Coastal Plan Research Center in Florence, SC provided hands on training sessions at UMES and two additional hands on training sessions at Florence, SC to UMES faculty members and students on the ammonia capturing system. The integrating poultry house heating and nitrogen emission management with Biofilters and Biofertilizer production project was presented at the UMES Agriculture Field Day, September 2015. The experimental site was open to the general public to explain and gain people interest in the performance and operation of the intergraded system. Farmers present at the event were interested in the site and were amazed at the economic benefits. Teachers and high school students toured the site to learn about the integrated system concept. The Delmarva Poultry Industry visited the experimental site on September 2015. Ph. D student, Felix Buabeng, explained the performance, operation, and economic benefits the integrated system will have on farmers. Collaborator, Mr. Archibald, presented the integrated system to the Maryland Extension Service in October, 2014 and presented at the Poultry Grower Extension meeting in Princess Anne, MD in November, 2014. One Ph.D. student received training and professional development at the School of Business & Technology for Advance Statistical Analysis in MS Excel/Stats located at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore from June 5th to 8th 2017. In completion the student acquired a Microsoft Certification and Skills Center. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The integrating poultry house heating and nitrogen emission management with Biofilters and Biofertilizer production project was presented at the UMES Agriculture Field Days, September 2015, 2016, and 2017. The experimental site was open to the general public to explain and gain people interest in the performance and operation of the intergraded system. Farmers present at the event were interested in the site and were amazed at the economic benefits. Teachers and high school students toured the site to learn about the integrated system concept. The Delmarva Poultry Industry visited the experimental site on September 2015. Ph. D student Felix Buabeng explained the performance, operation, and economic benefits the integrated system will have on farmers. Collaborator Mr. Archibald presented the integrated system to the Maryland Extension Service in October, 2014 and presented at the Poultry Grower Extension meeting in Princess Anne, MD in November, 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2012/09 TO 2017/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Scientists from Capital Sun Group, American Solar, UMES, and USDA-ARS had several meetings to 1) discuss and understand how the three green technologies, solar (heating walls, roof painting), in-vessel composting/biofertilizer technology, and ammonia-membrane capturing systems would operate together effectively 2) design, implement, and evaluate the solar heat energy delivery system, 3) installed and monitor the polymer-based solar collection system, 4) test and evaluation the system temperature, air volume and humidity during different seasons in the poultry houses unit. Replicated trials (n=3) was used to determine the difference in temperature of ambient winter input air to the poultry housing unit with and without the solar heat collection/distribution system with birds present from broiler to harvest age. Fresh air inlet vent position (low vs high) in the poultry house temperature and humidity stratification was measured. Air volume flow, power usage of fans, and moisture content of the litter and ammonia concentration was measured in each poultry unit. Economical cost analysis dtermined the total BTU's saving; BTU's savings was also tested in higher input temperatures of (60-80oC) which can occur when the solar heat collection is paired with recovered heat from the heat-exchange unit (Objective 2) and an in-vessel composting unit. This provides useful data in estimating the maximal potential of a heat-exchanger in-vessel-linked to the heat recovery system. Collaborating scientists and students prepared reports and publications on the outcomes of the solar heating and ammonia recovery systems including the output projection for the full scale poultry house management. Objective 2: Installed a solar-roof based heating system on a research poultry house and sat up a Biofertilizer production system. Review, analyze, and determine the heat recover efficiency for the heat exchange interface between the poultry house exhaust fan and the biofilter unit. Testing determined the efficiency of these systems. replicated testing was continued to determine the efficiency of the heat-exchanger using exhaust air from the poultry housing. Effects of fresh air inlet vent position (low vs. high) in the poultry house temperature and the relative humidity stratification was measured. Air volume flow within each housing unit was measured along with the power usage of fans and the moisture content of the litter and ammonia concentration in the poultry house. The heat exchanger in combination with or without the solar heating system determined the total BTU's and the BTU savings were calculated and reported when the poultry house exhaust air was linked with recycled air from high temperature (60-65oC). This system provided data useful in estimating the maximal potential of the heat exchanger in vessel-linked heat recovery. Final report projected the costs and expense savings from application of this heating technology for full-scale poultry housing units. Objective 3: UMES and ARS collaborating scientists met several times to discuss the design and configuration of a gas-permeable membrane ammonia-capture system for the poultry house, exhaust lines, and containerized biofiltration units for poultry house ventilation exhaust system. The ammonia recovery system was installed inside the poultry house to capture the ammonia form in the air. The gas-permeable membrane ammonia-capture system was evaluated based on ammonia recovery and ammonia concentration in the room; parameters evaluated included litter pH, recovered ammonia solution pH, litter moisture content, room temperature and birds' performance. Ammonia concentrations were monitored periodically form 3 batches. Membrane gas traps installed in the compost and the biofiltration chamber to capture the volatile ammonia. Ammonia, CO2, and selected VOCs from each container batch was monitored with temperature and moisture continuously until temperature dropped below 60oC with a multichannel photoacoustic infrared analyzer equipped with special filters for ammonia, N2O, CH4, and CO2. Ammonia captured in PTFE-acid traps were measured by back titration and rate of capture per unit air volume flow per unit time was reported. Cost of reducing ammonia emissions determined the economic benefits of this technology. Nutrient N:P ratio improvement and stabilization of N in the final compost product was assessed in replicated (n=3) test. A two-phase Biofilters unit captured particulate and ammonia emissions economically and efficiently. Also, a Nature-Tech biofilter container was installed at a UMES Poultry Facility connected to a representative fan using appropriate sized HDPD. The airflow was monitored to ensure maintenance of adequate porosity. The gutter system fitted with the ammonia-permeable membrane selective for NH3 and 1N sulfuric acid was installed as hanging additions to the inside of the chamber. The acid circulated in the gutter with aid of a pump and replenished as needed to maintain its NH3 capture/retention capacity. VOCs was also measured in the discharge are. The alternative configuration involving a perforated PVC tube with the continuous PTFE membrane containing the acid was also tested in a separate experiment run. Once the compost has reached thermal stability, replicated tests determined the increased nitrogen availability in the compost when different rated of the acid-captured ammonia are mixed with the compost and stored at ambient temperature. Objective 4: During the course of this project, two graduate students and three undergraduates had the opportunity for experiential learning as part of the efforts to design, adapt, and test the heat recovery to energy device, solar roof heat collector, and the biofiltration system. Two five-hour workshops were conducted for Extension staff in the Delmarva Region. NRCS state office staff included those responsible for EQIP program funding, poultry producers, and others addressing sustainable alternative on farm practices for nutrient and energy conservation and recycling. Each workshop was held in years 3 and 4 at UMES, where poultry production green technologies, bio-systems engineering, microbiology, safety, water quality, agricultural marketing and locally respected producers were covered. Individual experts presented short talks on alternative solutions for sustainable bioenergy and air emissions controls for poultry producers. Fact sheets focused on biofiltration, biofertilizer production options for recycling poultry litter, solar heating collection, and waste heat recovery from farms based on findings from research. Producers explained the cost and how they handle the litter management, air emissions and heating/electricity cost for the poultry operation from a "real world" perspective. All of the information from these workshops were gathered to develop handouts brochures pamphlets, video and DVD's webinars and fact sheets. All of the information from these workshops were gathered to develop handouts, brochures, pamphlets, and videos.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2012/09 TO 2017/08
1. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Buabeng F., Hashem, F.M., Vanotti, M.B., Millner, P.D., Brigman, P.W., Timmons, J., Dadson, R.B. (2016). Evaluating the Efficiency of Two Modules of Ammonia Capturing and Recovery Using Gas-Permeable Membranes in a Poultry House. Poster presented at the ASA, CSSA, and SSA Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Az.
2. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Vanotti M., Millner P., Hashem F., Buabeng F., Dube P., Szogi A., Sanchez-Bascones M., and Timmons J. (2018). New concepts for the recovery of ammonia from wastes. The 2nd 1890 ARD and USDA-ARS Food Safety Symposium, Beltsville, MD 201705, April 23-25, 2018.

PROGRESS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include poultry producers, Delmarva poultry industries, energy industrial communities, local farm owners, UMES faculty and students, staff and the scientific communities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, through visits to the site, field days, workshops, and presentation at local and national meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1 Students will conduct bioenergy analysis of research poultry house and real-world poultry house with the combined solar heating and heat exchange system. UMES, USDA, and UMD-CP scientist will guide UMES student team in this aspect of economic analysis of the design and evaluate the poultry house solar heating system, including all tax and other incentives Objective 2: The heat exchanger in combined with or without the solar heating system will be used to determine the total BTU's results. To determine the maximal potential heat exchanger in -vessel linked to the heat recovery system. Objective 3: Biofilters pilot testing and system evaluation and Nitrogen Amendment and Compost Testing will be conducted. Objective 4: Continuing developing handouts, brochures pamphlets, video and DVD's webinars and fact sheets contributions to UMD Extension and other poultry industry trade publications

IMPACT: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? The intent of this study is to develop, adapt, and integrate independent technologies to decrease poultry producer's cost for heating and to control and manage ammonia-nitrogen and particulate/ dust emission form poultry houses. Several planning meetings were implemented throughout the first year of the project. Objective 1: Hence cost savings results from the solar heating system with the means change in ammonia levels relative to relative humidity and litter moisture content in the poultry house by air inlet vent position and temperature was used to determine the total BTU's saving. BTU's savings was also tested in higher input temperatures of (60-80oC) which can occur when the solar heat collection is paired with recovered heat from the heat-exchange unit (Objective 2) and an in-vessel composting unit. This will provide useful data in estimating the maximal potential of a heat-exchanger in-vessel-linked to the heat recovery system. Objective 2: The series of replicated test was continued from year three to determine the efficiency of the heat-exchanger using exhaust air from the poultry housing units as input and heat of air returned to the poultry housing units as output. The effects of fresh air inlet vent position (low vs. high) in the poultry house temperature and the relative humidity stratification was measured. Air volume flow within each housing unit was measured along with the power usage of fans and the moisture content of the litter and ammonia concentration in the poultry house. Objective 3:Design and test a two-phase Biofilters unit to capture particulate and ammonia emissions economically and efficiently. A series of test was conducted to evaluate and optimize a specialized biofiltration system for the poultry house, in-vessel biofiltration units and compost chambers. The test units will use: 1) coarse nylon screening, plastic tower packing, and/ or various combinations of reusable/recyclable plastic bulking material for capture of feathers and dust; and 2) coconut coir fabric media to capture and transform ammonia via microbial activity, to remove particulates and VOC's as well as additional fugitive ammonia. Objective 4: Two five-hour workshops was conducted for extension staff in the Delmarva Region. NRCS state office staff included those responsible for EQIP program funding, poultry producers, and others addressing sustainable alternative on farm practices for nutrient and energy conservation and recycling. Each workshop was held in years 3 and 4 at UMES. The workshop experts covered poultry science, biosystems engineering, microbiology, safety, water quality, agricultural marketing and locally respected producers. Individual experts presented short talk on alternative solutions for sustainable bioenergy and air emissions controls for poultry producers. Producers explain the cost and how s/he handles litter management, air emissions, and heating/electricity cost for poultry operation form a real world perspective. Facts sheets were developed to focus on biofiltration, biofertilizer production options for recycling poultry litter, solar heating collection, and waste heat recovery from farms based on findings from research. Producers explained the cost and how s/he handles the litter management, air emissions and heating/electricity cost for the poultry operation from a "real world" perspective. All of the information from these workshops were gathered to develop handouts brochures pamphlets, video and DVD's webinars and fact sheets.

PUBLICATIONS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
1. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Buabeng, F; Hashem, F.M; Vanotti, M.B.; Millner, P.D., Brigman, P.W., Timmons, J., Danson, R.B.(2015,November). Capturing and Recovering of Ammonia Using Gas permeable Flat and Tublar Membrane Systems in a Poultry House. Poster Presented at ASA, CSSA, and SSA Annual Meeting Minneapolis, MN.
2. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Buabeng, F. (2015, December).Evaluation of a Non-Photovoltaic Solar-Heat Collection System and In-Vessel Poultry Litter Composting for Poultry House Heating. Presentation presented at Kellogg Conference Center at the 73rd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference(PAWC). Tuskegee, AL.
3. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Buabeng, F1., Hashem, F.M1., Vanotti, M.B.2., Millner, P.D.3.,Brigman, P.W.2., Timmons, J.1., Danson, R.B. (2016, February). Managing Ammonia Emission in Poultry Houses Using Gas-Permeable Membrane Systems. 1 University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences,Anne MD, 2USDA-ARS, Florence, SC; 3 USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD.
4. Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Buabeng, F1., Hashem, F.M1., Vanotti, M.B.2., Millner, P.D.3., Brigman, P.W.2., Timmons, J.1., Danson, R.B. (2016, February). Improving Poultry House Heating Using Non-Photovolatic Solar-Heat Collection System and In-Vessel Poultry Litter Composting and Nitrogen Stabilization. Poster presented at University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium & Professional Development Conference, College Park, MD.
5. Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Buabeng, F1., Hashem, F.M1., Vanotti, M.B.2., Millner, P.D.3.,Brigman, P.W.2., Timmons, J.1., Danson, R.B. (2016, February). Ammonia Emission Management Using Gas-permeable Membrane System in a Poultry Houses. Poster presented at University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium & Professional Development Conference, College Park, MD.
6. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Buabeng, F1., Hashem, F.M1., Vanotti, M.B.2., Millner, P.D.3.,Brigman, P.W.2., Timmons, J.1., Danson, R.B. (2016, July).Ammonia Emission Management in Poultry House. Presentation presented at . 1University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, Princess Anne MD, 2USDA-ARS, Florence, SC; 3 USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD.

PROGRESS: 2014/09/01 TO 2015/08/31
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include poultry producers, Delmarva poultry industries, energy industrial communities, local farm owners, UMES faculty, staff and the scientific communities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Opportunities of training for this project consist of two five hour workshops during year three and four. Training programs were led by poultry scientist and small-farm program coordinator at UMES for poultry producers and extension staff on the Delmarva Region. NRCS state office included officials responsible for the EQIP program funding, poultry producers and others to address sustainable alternative on-farm practices for nutrient and energy conservation and recycling. The workshop presenters included experts in poultry science, biosystems engineering, microbiology, safety, water quality, agricultural marketing and locally respected producers. Individual experts presented short talk on alternative solutions for sustainable bioenergy and air emissions controls for poultry producers. Producers explain the cost and how s/he handles litter management, air emissions, and heating/electricity cost for poultry operation form a real world perspective. Facts sheets were developed to focus on biofiltration, biofertilizer production options for recycling poultry litter, solar heating collection, and waste heat recovery from farms based on findings from research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The integrating poultry house heating and nitrogen emission management with Biofilters and Biofertilizer production project was presented at the UMES Agri Field Day, September 2015. The experimental site was open to the general public to explain and gain people interest in the performance and operation of the intergraded system. Farmers present at the event were interested in the site and were amazed at the economic benefits. Teachers and high school students toured the site to learn about the integrated system concept. The Delmarva Poultry Industry visited the experimental site on September 2015. Ph.D student Felix Buabeng explained the performance, operation, and economic benefits the integrated system will have on farmers. Collaborator Mr. Archibald presented the integrated system to the Maryland Extension Service in October, 2014 and presented at the Poultry Grower Extension meeting in Princess Anne, MD in November, 2014 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Determine the total BTU saved from the solar heat system Objective 2:Test and calculate air flow, power usage, moisture content of litter and ammonia concentration in the poultry house.? Objective 3: Design and test a two-phase biofilters unit to capture particulate and ammonia emissions economically and efficiently. Objective 4: Develop handouts, brochures pamphlets, video and DVD's webinars and fact sheets contributions to UMD Extension and other poultry industry trade publications

IMPACT: 2014/09/01 TO 2015/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? The intent of this study is to develop, adapt, and integrate independent technologies to decrease poultry producer's cost for heating and to control and manage ammonia-nitrogen and particulate/ dust emission form poultry houses. Several planning meetings were implemented throughout the first year of the project. Objective 1: Installed and monitor the polymer-based solar collection system. Test and evaluation the system temperature, air volume and humidity during different seasons in the poultry houses unit. Replicated trials (n=3) was used to determine the difference in temperature of ambient winter input air to the poultry housing unit with and without (two treatments) the solar heat collection/distribution system with birds present from brooder to harvest age. Fresh air inlet vent position (low vs high) in the poultry house temperature and humidity stratification was measured. Air volume flow, power usage of fans, and moisture content of the litter and ammonia concentration was measured in each poultry unit. Objective 2: Review, analyze, and determine the heat recover efficiency for the hear exchange interface between the poultry house exhaust fan and the biofilter unit. Testing was conducted to determine the efficiency of the heat-exchanger using exhaust air from the poultry housing units as input and heat of air returned to the poultry housing units as output. Objective 3: Setup and monitor the ammonia concentration levels in the experimental room for atmospheric ammonia, room temperature, moisture content, pH, and ammonia in the poultry litter. Ammonia concentration levels were monitor form 3 batches with configuration of gas-permeable membrane with the resistant time of 21 days for each batch. The membrane-based gas trapped was installed in the compost and the biofiltration chamber to capture the volatile ammonia. Ammonia, CO2, and selected VOCs from each container batch was monitored with temperature and moisture continuously during the first 10 days or until temperature drops below 60oC with a multichannel photoacoustic infrared analyzer equipped with special filters for ammonia, N2O, CH4, and CO2. Ammonia captured in PTFE-acid traps unit was measured by back by back titration and rate of capture per unit air volume flow per unit time was reported for each replicated trial. The emissions and ammonia capture data was used to select the configuration and conditions that produced optimal ammonia collection. The cost for reducing ammonia emissions by each processing configuration was compared to determine the economic and environmental benefits of the processing system. Nutrient N:P ratio improvement and stabilization of N in the final compost product was augmented with series of ammonium sulfate captured by the PTFE membrane system was also assessed in replicated (n=3) test. Objective 4: Two graduate students and three undergraduates participated in experiential learning to design, adapt, and test the heat recovery to energy device, solar roof heat collector, and the biofiltration system. These learning session also enhance faculty and UMES institutional capacity to address appropriate novel sustainable bioenergy technologies for the farms of the 21st Century.

PUBLICATIONS: 2014/09/01 TO 2015/08/31
No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include poultry producers, Delmarva poultry industries, energy industrial communities, local farm owners, UMES faculty, staff and the scientific communities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training and professional development opportunities were achieved in two portions for this study. First, UMES faculty members and several undergraduate and graduate students received extensive knowledge and guidance from Capital Sun Inc. and America Solar specialist to install, test and evaluate the polymer-based solar collection system. Second, a team of scientist one from USDA-ARS-BARC-Beltsville, MD and four from USDA/ARS Coastal Plan Research Center in Florence, SC provided hands on training sessions at UMES and two additional hands on training sessions at Florence, SC to UMES faculty members and students on the ammonia capturing system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Installed and monitor the polymer-based solar collection system. Test and evaluation the system temperature, air volume and humidity during different seasons in the poultry houses unit. Objective 2: Review, analyze, and determine the heat recover efficiency for the hear exchange interface between the poultry house exhaust fan and the biofilter unit. Objective 3: Setup and monitor the ammonia concentration levels in the experimental room for atmospheric ammonia, room temperature, moisture content, pH, and ammonia in the poultry litter. Objective 4: Will be address in future reports

IMPACT: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? The intent of this study is to develop, adapt, and integrate independent technologies to decrease poultry producer's cost for heating and to control and manage ammonia-nitrogen and particulate/ dust emission form poultry houses. Several planning meetings were implemented throughout the first year of the project. Objective 1: Design, implement, and evaluate the solar heat energy delivery system. Objective 2: Install the solar roof based heating system for The Research Poultry house and set up the Biofertilizer production system Objective 3: UMES and ARS Scientists (Beltsville, MD and Florence, SC) had several meetings to discuss the design of the gas-permeable membrane ammonia-capture system size, membrane system type, structure of the room and the equipment used for the capturing system including the pump size for the ammonia recovery model and the cabinet recovery model, floor meter dimensions and containerized biofiltration units for the poultry house ventilation exhaust system. USDA/ARS Coastal Plain Research Center team installed the permeable membrane technology for the ammonia capturing system in the poultry house and biofilter chamber. The recovery manifold was installed inside the poultry room to capture the ammonia form in the air. The cabinet was built to hold and protect the recovery manifold on the outside of the poultry house. The gas-permeable membrane ammonia-capture system was evaluated on the ammonia recovery and ammonia concentration in the room. Variables evaluated during the experiment included litter pH, recovered ammonia solution pH, moisture content of the litter, room temperature and the birds performance. The system manifold was daily monitored for leaks and functional capabilities. Objective 4: UMES Ph.D student was identified, hired and be assigned to work on this project

PUBLICATIONS: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2012/09/01 TO 2013/08/31
Target Audience:The target audience for this project include producers, energy industrial communities, local farm owners, UMES facility, staff and the scientific communities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Design, implement, and evaluate the solar heat energy delivery system. Objective 2: Install the solar roof based heating system for the research poultry house and set up the biofertilizer production system Objective 3: Design, install, and evaluate the ammonia-capture system. Objective 4: UMES Ph.D student will be identified and assigned to work on this project

IMPACT: 2012/09/01 TO 2013/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? The intent of this study is to develop, adapt and integrate independent technologies to decrease poultry producer's cost for heating and to dominate control and manage ammonia-nitrogen and particulate/ dust emission form poultry houses. Several planning meetings were implemented throughout the first year of the project. Objective 1: Representatives from Capital Sun Group, American Solar and UMES & ARS Scientist had several meeting to discuss and understand how the solar collections system would operate and what material to use for the project. Objective 2: Nothing to report Objective 3: UMES and ARS Scientists (Beltsville, MD and Florence, SC) had several meetings to discuss the design and configuration of gas-permeable membrane ammonia-capture system for the poultry house, exhaust lines, and containerized biofiltration units for poultry house ventilation exhaust system. Objective 4: Nothing to report

PUBLICATIONS: 2012/09/01 TO 2013/08/31
No publications reported this period.