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Research Details

Research Title Assessment and Mitigation of Air Pollutants in Selected Agro-Industrial Operations at MMSU: Towards an Eco-friendly Environment (Program)
Studies:
Researcher(s) Floramante Pastor, Shirley Agrupis, Nathaniel Alibuyog, Arnold Dumaoal, Honelou Farinas, Prima Fe Franco, Arlene Gonzales, Roselle Mamuad, Saturnina Nisperos
Research Category Program
Research Status completed
Duration Jan 01, 2012 to Dec 31, 2015
Commodity Environment
Research Site(s) MMSU
Source of Fund(s)
Brief Description
This program constitute of 4 projects with underlying studies.

Proj 1: Characterization and Measurement of Air Quality Parameters in Outdoor/Indoor Spaces

Sty 1: Assessment of Air Quality in Selected Laboratories

Sty 2: Assessment of Air Quality in Selected Project Facilities

Proj 2: Modeling of the Air Quality Impacts of Trikes and Other Vehicles at the MMSU Campus

Sty 1: Simulation of the Impacts on the Increased Use of Trikes and Other Vehicles at MMSU

Sty 2: Assessment of Potential Exposures of Passengers and Operators to Air Pollutants

Proj 3: Assessment of the Effectiveness of Carbonized Rice Hull (activated and un-activated) in Controlling Odor Emission, Bio-aerosol Concentration and Fly Population of Some Agricultural Operations

Sty 1: Assessment of the Effectiveness of CRH (activated and un-activated) in Minimizing Odor Emissions, Bio-aerosols and Fly Population in Poultry Facilities

Sty 2: Assessment of the Effectiveness of CRH (activated and un-activated) in Minimizing Odor Emissions, Bio-aerosols and Fly Population in Organic Fertilizer Processing

Proj 4: Performance Evaluation of Biogas Plants

Sty 1: Optimization of Methane Production Through Co-digestion

Sty 2: Assessment of Biogas Yield as Affected by Loading Rate

 

Methodology

A. Pre-Implementation Phase

  1. Formation of the Clean Air Program Team (CAPT) - air as a resource carries much social, economic and environmental significance, therefore it creates public, economic and environmental problems if this is polluted. Based on this premise, air quality assessment must be dealt with holistically and therefore requires a multi-disciplinary team. For the purpose of this program, the CAPT will be created consisting of scientists from engineering, mathematics, environmental, social and computer sciences. Each representative from these fields will have their own specialized tasks in the program. Personnel from allied sciences will also be included as needed.
  2. Regular/Periodic meeting - the team shall have a regular meeting at least once a month or more if the need arises. The meeting is very necessary for the following reasons: a) to discuss the strategies prior to the implementation of each project/study; b) to be updated of the on-going and plans of activities; c) to discuss issues that may arise during the implementation and find appropriate solutions; and d) to maintain a good working relationship of the team.
B. Implementation Phase
  1. Characterization and Measurement of Air Quality Parameters in Outdoor/Indoor Spaces - the objective of this project is to generate information on the status of air quality in some outdoor and indoor workspaces with potential air pollutant emissions and exposures of workers. The objectives of this project will be realized through the implementation of the following component studies:
a. Assessment of air quality in selected laboratories - this will entail the following sequence of activities:
  1. Selection of candidate laboratories for investigation
  2. Characterization of the ventilation and air conditioning systems of selected laboratories
  3. Characterization of the activities and/or processes that may influence indoor air quality in the selected laboratories
  4. Monitoring of thermal and air quality parameters in those laboratories
  5. Recommend possible abatement measures if needed
Parameters to be gathered and method of measurement:
  • Dust concentration - gravimetric method and continuous dust monitor
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration - detector tubes and continuous total VOC analyzer
  • CO2 concentration - non-dispersive infrared analyzer and detector tubes
  • Odor - nasal ranger
  • Temperature/Relative Humidity - psychrometer and Hobo data T/RH logger
  • Bio-aerosol concentration - filtration combined with the culture method
Frequency of measurement
  • Twice per month for four months (8x)
b. Assessment of air quality in selected project facilities (e.g., livestock project, biochar production, organic fertilizer production, feed mill) - this will entail the following sequence of activities:
  1. Selection of project facilities for investigation
  2. Characterization of the ventilation system of selected facilities
  3. Characterization of the activities and/or processes in the selected facilities that may influence air quality
  4. Monitoring of thermal and air quality parameters in the selected facilities
  5. Recommend possible abatement measures if needed
Parameters to be assessed:
  • Livestock - ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, bio-aerosols, VOCs
  • Biochar production - particulate matter, odor, VOCs
  • Organic fertilizer production - dust, odor, selected VOCs, bio-aerosols
  • Feed mill - dust, bio-aerosols, pest infestation
Frequency of Measurement
  • Twice per month for one year (24x)
2. Modeling of the Air Quality Impacts of Trikes and Other Vehicles at the MMSU Campus - this project aims to characterize and quantify the possible emission of air pollutants from trikes inside the MMSU campus and simulate the possible impacts if this increases over time. Likewise, the project will assess the potential exposure of passengers and operators to various air pollutants.
 
These objectives will be attained through the following component studies:
 
a. Simulation of the impacts on the increased use of trikes and other vehicles at MMSU - this study will be conducted through the following sequence of activities:
  1. Review published information on emissions from tricycles and other vehicles (2-stroke and 4-stroke, etc.)
  2. Characterize the tricycles and other vehicles at MMSU campus (type, volume, age, etc.)
  3. Measure emissions from the vehicles (to validate those gathered from the review, or check with Batac Emission Testing Center)
  4. Simulate the impacts of tricycles/other vehicles using established models (e.g., STELLA)
  5. Recommend possible abatement measures if needed.
Parameters to be assessed and methods of measurement:
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs) - emission analyzer
  • Particulate matter - continuous dust monitor or gravimetric method
b. Assessment of potential exposures of passengers and operators to air pollutants (trikes vs e-jeep) - a comparative measurement of air pollutant emissions from trikes and e-jeep will be done in order to have a more concrete basis of advocating more environment-friendly means of transportation.
 
This study can be done with the following sequence of activities:
  1. Interview passengers/operators regarding the potential health effects of air pollutants
  2. Review literature on past studies that measure exposure of passengers/operators/drivers to various pollutants
  3. Measure air pollutants in selected tricycles and e-jeep
  4. Recommend possible abatement measures if needed
Parameters to be assessed and methods of measurement:
  • VOCs - continuous VOC analyzer and detector tubes
  • Particulate Matter - continuous dust monitor
  • CO - non-dispersive infrared analyzer
3. Assessment of the Effectiveness of Carbonized Rice Hull (activated and un-activated) on Odor Emission, Bio-aerosol Concentration, and Fly Population of Some Agricultural Operations - the objectives of this project will be realized through the following component studies:
 
a. Assess the effectiveness of CRH (activated and un-activated) in minimizing odor emissions, bio-aerosols and fly population in poultry facilities. This study involves two major components:
 
a.1 Laboratory testing - the study will be initially conducted in a bench (laboratory) scale for manageability and to minimize costs. Results will serve as a reference for field-scale testing or validation. This study will employ 5 treatments, 3 replications using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). However, an increase in the sequence of treatments (more levels) will be tried if the effects of the 2 initial levels are found promising. Hence, the treatments are the following:
  • Control (no treatment)
  • Un-activated carbon from CRH (2 levels) - topical application
  • Activated carbon from CRH (2 levels) - topical application
a.2 Field testing - to validate the results of the laboratory testing, this will be tested in an actual poultry facility. The most promising level both from un-activated and activated CRH treatments will be considered in the field test, hence it will have 3 treatments replicated 3 times using RCBD. The following treatments therefore will be:
  • Control (no treatment)
  • Un-activated CRH (1 level) - topical application
  • Activated CRH (1 level) - topical application
Parameters to be assessed
  • Odor emission - nasal ranger
  • NH3 - detector tubes
  • VOCs - continuous VOC analyzer
  • Fly population - Fly traps
  • Bio-aerosols - real time analyzer (e.g., wide-issue bio-aerosol sensor (WIBS))
  • Other associated effects (e.g. manure quality, economics, etc)
b. Assess the effectiveness of CRH (activated and un-activated) in minimizing odor emissions, bio-aerosols and fly population in organic fertilizer processing - this study has two sequential activities:
 
b.1 Laboratory experiment - for purposes of manageability and minimizing efforts and costs, a laboratory experiment will be conducted first, then it will be scaled up using the result of the laboratory experiment. Since the treatments are based on two factors (type of CRH (activated or un-activated) and type of application (topical and mixed)), sequential testing will be employed. This means that one level of each treatment will be tested first and a sequence of more levels will be tried if initial results are found promising. Hence, the initial treatments which will be laid in RCBD with 3 replications are the following:
  • Control (no treatment)
  • Un-activated CRH (1 level) - topical application vs mixing
  • Activated CRH (1 level) - topical application vs mixing
For purposes of consistency, the materials/substrates to be used in the trials will be the same.
 
b.2 Field testing - based on the results of laboratory testing, validation will be done in the organic fertilizer processing unit. The most promising level from each treatment category will be used as treatments, hence the following:
  • Control (no treatment)
  • Un-activated CRH (1 level either topical or mix)
  • Activated CRH (1 level either topical or mix)
Parameters to be assessed:
  • Odor - nasal ranger
  • VOCs - continuous VOC analyzer or detector tubes
  • Fly population - fly traps
  • Bio-aerosols
  • Product quality - nutrient composition of organic fertilizer (samples to be analyzed at Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) laboratory)
  • Decomposition period - number of days
  • Cost and return analysis - Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR)
4. Performance Evaluation of Biogas Plants - this project entails two component studies:
 
a. Optimization of methane production through co-digestion - for purposes of practicality and minimizing efforts and costs, a laboratory research will be conducted first using the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) bio-digester model to determine the effects of co-digestion using two or more substrates with varying levels. The treatments will be:
  • Control
  • Substrate levels - at least 2 levels
Actual field testing on the old MMSU biogas plant will be done using the best treatment or level determined in the laboratory experiment.
 
Parameters to be assessed:
  • Quality and quantity of biogas (% methane, % CO2, % H2S)
  • Quality of manure after digestion (nutrient composition)
b. Assess the quantity and quality of biogas yield as affected by loading rate - this study will consist of the following activities:
  1. Characterization of the new MMSU biogas plant - this will include the composition of manure (% liquid and % solids, the loading capacity, volume of waste, retention period, efficiency, etc.)
  2. Evaluation trial on effects of loading rates - based on the identified features of the biogas, loading rates (at least 2) will be estimated and will be tried.
  3. Cost and return analysis - a loading rate that gives higher production of methane does not necessarily mean to be more acceptable or feasible. Other inputs and costs must have to be considered. Hence, cost and return analysis for each treatment must be employed. Other factors that cannot be valued monetarily but with significant contributions to the overall results must also be weighed and be given consideration during decision making.
Parameters to be assessed:
  • Quality and quantity of biogas (% methane, % CO2, % H2S)
  • Quality of manure after digestion (nutrient composition)
  • Cost and return analysis - BCR
Project Duration
Since most of the component activities of the program will be done in sequence (e.g., from laboratory experiment to actual field testing), the program is thus proposed to run for at least three (3) years.
Expected Output
The proposed program addresses a key national challenge, i.e., improving air quality to protect human wealth and the environment. Anticipated outcomes from the proposed program are as follows:

  • Enhanced measurement and modeling capability on indoor and outdoor air quality
  • Improved understanding of air emissions characteristics in various agro-industrial operations at MMSU
  • Better understanding of the potential impacts of increased use of tricycles on the air quality at MMSU and on exposures of passengers to various air contaminants
  • Scientific information on the effectiveness of biochar from carbonized rice hull and activated carbon in minimizing air emissions from poultry facilities and organic fertilizer production facilities
  • Knowledge on performance of biogas plants as affected by loading rate and co-digestion
  • Enhanced and strengthened capability of researchers in particular, and the university in general, to conduct air quality-related R&D
  • Research proposals on air quality that will be submitted to outside funding agencies (e.g., DOST, CHED, etc.)
Abstract Not Available