Grantee Research Project Results
The Development and Evaluation of an Enhanced Electrostatic Precipitator for Poultry Dust Removal
EPA Contract Number: EPD06026Title: The Development and Evaluation of an Enhanced Electrostatic Precipitator for Poultry Dust Removal
Investigators: Tisch, W J
Small Business: Tisch Environmental, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006
Project Amount: $66,884
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Animal Waste and Waste to Energy
Description:
Particulate emissions are one of the main air quality concerns in poultry farms and other animal feeding operations (AFO) and especially are significant in poultry AFOs. It can cause health damage to the AFO worker, become a nuisance to the neighborhoods, and result in violations of the Clean Air Act.
This Phase I study focuses on an innovative particulate control technology utilizing an enhanced electrostatic precipitator (eESP) to control effectively poultry AFO dust emissions, which are high in flow rate and low in residence time compared with conventional ESPs. The eESP will be developed based on experience gathered by the research team in researching atypical ESP designs and emission sources. The design parameters for this application will be unique as a result of the unique nature of poultry farm operating conditions and emission points. The eESP will be compact so that it can be placed in the duct immediately downstream of the exhaust fans. The duct may need to be extended depending on its configuration. The discharge electrodes will be wires or wire meshes made of low-cost materials. The electrodes will be energized only when the exhaust fans are turned on. The various configurations of the charging and collection electrodes will be tested. The operating conditions will require that the resulting technology be affordable, simple, and safe to use; have very low pressure drops; and be very low maintenance for AFO owners. Its dust removal efficiency will be tested with representative poultry dust obtained from operating poultry farms. A market analysis will be performed and the potential commercial development will be evaluated. Proper quality assurance and quality control guidelines will be followed. Proper reporting procedures will be followed.
ESPs have been used widely in industrial applications, especially for the control of particulate emissions and have been proven highly effective in dust removal. They inherently have very low pressure drops, which will reduce the operating costs significantly for AFO owners by eliminating the need for increased ventilation fan horsepower.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, particulate matter, particulate emissions, animal feeding operations, electrostatic precipitation, dust removal, poultry dust, poultry farms, air pollution, farm pollution, AFOs, EPA,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Sustainable Industry/Business, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Environmental Engineering, air pollutants, agricultural byproducts, air pollution control, animal waste, emission controls, pollution control, electrochemical techniques, environmental exposure, electrostatic precipitator for poultry dust removal, agriculture, animal feeding operations dust emissions, human healthProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.