Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 6/26/18


Researchers at North Carolina State University are a step closer to developing a filtration system designed to reduce the amount of ammonia inside poultry houses, according to the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

Dr. Sanjay Shah and his colleagues completed a research project funded in part by USPOULTRY and a gift from Case Farms resulting in a test of a combined heat recovery-ammonia control (HRAC) system.

Pen-scale and full-scale HRAC units provided what the researchers called “inconsistent ammonia removal” in a commercial broiler house in part because of dust build up on device filters. However, the study clearly demonstrated that mixing fans could increase floor temperature, possibly reducing heat energy use and improving bird performance.

The researchers said adding the ammonia filter worked well in controlled pens, but more work is needed to mitigate the build up of dust that hindered the effectiveness in a commercial setting. The study did confirm that adding ammonia filtration inside poultry houses may have a practical application, the researchers added.

A summary of the research project is available here.

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