Improving in-house air quality in broiler production facilities using an electrostatic space charge system

Reduction of airborne dust in enclosed animal housing has been shown to result in corresponding reductions in airborne bacteria, ammonia, and odor. The search for strategies to reduce particulate matter and ammonia emissions from animal housing has led to considerable interest in the poultry industry for practical systems to reduce these air emissions. Technologies that have been shown to be effective for reducing airborne dust in animal areas include misting with an oil spray, water mists, extra ventilation, and electrostatic space charge systems. An electrostatic space charge system (ESCS) was designed to reduce airborne dust and ammonia emissions from a commercial broiler production house. The ESCS for this application was based on patented technology developed to reduce airborne dust and pathogens. Two commercial broiler houses with built-up litter ( a control house and one outfitted with an ESCS unit) were monitored for dust and ammonia concentrations over a period of 7 flocks. Results of this study indicate the ESCS significantly reduced airborne dust by an average of 43% and reduced ammonia by an average of 13%. Power consumption of the ESCS system was less than 100 W when in operation. Commercial application of this technology within the production house has the potential to improve in-house air quality and reduce particulate emissions.