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Design Team: Mathew Lindsey, Sara Gerstacker,
Terrelle Smolinski, Mark NowakManure Storage Cover: L&M Farms, located in Tekonsha, Michigan, has a swine facility with a capacity of 1800 nursery and 1400 grow to finish hogs. Manure produced from the livestock is flushed from the animal housing to an exterior storage structure that is currently open to the atmosphere. In addition to odor emissions, the manure storage also emits ammonia and methane to the atmosphere. Lost ammonia corresponds to a decrease in fertilizer value when the manure is later applied to the field and also contributes to environmental pollution through precipitation deposition. The methane produced can contribute to global warming, because it is an efficient greenhouse gas. Precipitation that enters the storage structure dilutes nutrient concentrations and increases hauling costs during field application.
The project goals include identifying the most cost effective and durable method for covering the manure storage structure to eliminate ammonia volatilization and prevent precipitation from entering the structure. The National Research Council’s model is used to estimate ammonia emissions from the open storage structure to approximate the amount of nitrogen retained in the manure once covered. The project includes the design of a stormwater handling system to divert structure runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event. Management methods are identified to address the biogas accumulation once the storage structure is covered.This article was written for publication in the Senior Design Showcase Program, April 17, 2007. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Newsletter, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
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