Reduction of airborne particulate matter from pig and poultry rearing facilities using engineered water nanostructures

• Published in: Biosystems engineering 2022-06, Vol.218, p.1-9
• Main Authors: Yang, Yingjie, Kirychuk, Shelley P., Si, Yuchen, Martel, Myra C., Guo, Huiqing, Predicala, Bernardo Z., Zhang, Lifeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrospray; Engineered water nanostructures; Livestock particulate matter; Nanotechnology; Particulate matter control
• ISSN: 1537-5110; 1537-5129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2022.03.013

Animal buildings are an important source of particulate matter (PM) pollution. Particulate matter has been known to have both environmental and health impacts and control measures for PM are essential. This study developed a laboratory-scale electrospray system to generate engineered water nanostructures (EWNS), which are highly-charged nano-sized water droplets, and tested the effectiveness of the EWNS in reducing livestock PM. The efficacy of the generated EWNS in reducing PM was evaluated under various electrospray settings and operating conditions using pig and poultry barn PM. The experiments were conducted using an acrylic chamber to simulate the airspace in an animal confinement area. EWNS generation rates were also determined under various electrospray settings. It was found that negative voltages generated higher numbers of EWNS. The highest reduction efficiency obtained for PM15.0 was 75% for pig barn PM and 83% for poultry barn PM. These reduction efficiencies are comparable to those obtained by wet electrostatic scrubbers; however, the water consumption of the electrospray developed in this study was relatively low (maximum of 4 μl min−1, equivalent to a liquid–gas flow rate ratio of 6.4 × 10−5 l m−3). The results indicate that the EWNS generated by the electrospray effectively reduced the livestock PM. However, in-barn tests are required before the system can be implemented in commercial animal rearing facilities. •An electrospray was developed to generate engineered water nanostructures (EWNS).•Efficacy of the EWNS to remove particulate matter (PM) was evaluated.•Generated EWNS were effective in reducing concentrations of livestock PM.•Reductions achieved equivalent to wet electrostatic scrubbers but less water use.