Koziel, J.A., Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
Yang, X., Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
Van Leeuwen, H., Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
Jenks, W., Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
Laor, Y., Agriculture Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay, Israel

Livestock production systems are associated with aerial emissions of odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other gases. Control of those emissions is needed to assure compliance with environmental regulations and long-term viability of the industry. This research focuses on abatement of livestock odors using advanced oxidation processes including U V irradiation. Effects of several variables including U V wavelength, dose, and the presence of catalyst on removal of gases causing livestock odor were tested in a flow-through photoreactor. These gases included H2S, mercaptans, volatile fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. Standard UV lamps with principal output at 254 nm and 185 nm were used for all treatments. Solid phase microextraction fibers were used to sample gases before and after UV treatment. A GC-MS-Olfactometry system was used for simultaneous chemical and odor analysis. More than 50% removals were found for all compounds tested. The % removal was proportional to energy dose. The presence of photocatalyst improved % removals, particularly for volatile fatty acids. This technology appears to have a potential to effectively treat odor and odorous gases associated with livestock operations. Copyright ©2010, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.