Project Number: 3625-31000-003-07
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2009

Objective:
The central goal of the proposed project is to assess the effectiveness of water sprinkler systems in controlling particulate emissions from cattle feedlots and its impact on the gaseous emissions and particle size distribution. Additionally, the project seeks to advance science that will lead towards improved measurement, understanding, and prediction of PM and gaseous emissions from commercial cattle feedlots in the Great Plains. The main objectives are to: 1. Assess the effectiveness of water sprinkler systems in controlling PM emissions from commercial cattle feedlots and its impact on the particle size distribution; 2. Examine the impact of water sprinkler systems on the fate and transport of gases and particulate-phase VOCs released from cattle feedlots; and 3. Develop quantitative sample collection and analysis methods for the determination of major odorants in both gas and particulate phase samples collected in the vicinity of cattle feedlots.

Approach:
The overall approach in the proposed project is to expand upon the existing assessment of sprinkler dust management practices underway at two commercial cattle feedlots in Kansas: Feedlot A with sprinklers and Feedlot B as a control (non-sprinkled). Feedlot A has been instrumented with TEOM and FRM PM10 samplers; Feedlot B, on the other hand, will be instrumented with similar samplers during the Summer 2006. The proposed work will provide a detailed assessment of the particulare emissions to include TSP and PM2.5. Particulate size fractions will also be characterized using two spectrometric methods and direct measurements with a cascade impactor. In addition to the PM measurements, the proposed project will provide a detailed description of odorous VOCs in both the gas and particulate phases at the edge of the feedlot corral and at three downwind locations during intensive sampling efforts. VOCs will be determined on samples collected from high-volume PM10 samplers and a high-volume cascade impactor. A detailed examination of the physico-chemical and olfactory properties VOCs present on particulates at the source will be used to predict the most persistent odorants likely to be associated with particulates at downwind locations.