Livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system

Abstract

This system provides a livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system that minimizes methane gas emissions from the barn and automates the management of the biofilter. [Solution] To this end, a livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system is provided, comprising: a polluted air collection device for collecting polluted air inside the livestock barn; a biofilter containing microorganisms that purify the polluted air collected via the polluted air collection device and decompose the methane gas in the polluted air; a sensor unit for measuring the contamination concentration of the biofilter and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms; and a central control unit that monitors the contamination concentration and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms collected via the sensor unit in real time and notifies whether the biofilter needs to be inspected.

Description

Technical Field

[0008] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system that minimizes methane gas emissions from livestock barns and enables automatic management of biofilters.

Background Art

[0002] Methane gas generated in the agricultural field, particularly in the livestock industry, is one of the major greenhouse gases that significantly affect global warming.

[0003] Methane has a greenhouse effect approximately 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide, and methane emitted from livestock barns has been pointed out as a major cause of climate change.

[0004] On the other hand, in the livestock industry, methane gas is mainly generated during the intestinal fermentation of livestock, manure management, and feed digestion process. Currently, the main methods used to manage methane emissions in livestock barns include natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, biological treatment methods, etc.

[0005] The natural ventilation simply circulates air and releases methane into the atmosphere. It does not process methane but merely disperses it, and thus has the problem of not being a fundamental solution.

[0006] Also, mechanical ventilation is a method of moving air using fans and ducts, and this method also has the limitation that it cannot effectively collect or process methane.

[0007] Biological treatment is a method of decomposing methane using microorganisms. It is a relatively effective method, but it has the disadvantages of being difficult to maintain and having inconsistent efficiency.

[0008] The limitations of these conventional methods create an urgent need for the development of new technologies that can treat methane gas generated in livestock barns in a more efficient and sustainable manner. In particular, there is a demand for innovative solutions that can effectively capture and treat methane gas while ensuring easy maintenance and consistent efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Gazette No. 10-1408175 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system that collects contaminated air inside the barn, purifies the contaminated air using a biofilter, and then circulates the purified air within the barn to minimize the amount of methane gas released into the atmosphere.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system that can improve methane gas treatment efficiency using a biofilter through methane gas adsorption, decomposition, and catalytic reaction.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a livestock methane gas emission reduction system that can monitor and analyze the microbial state of a biofilter in real time to maximize its filtering effect and automatically notify the user of the need for biofilter maintenance and the microbial nutrient solution supply cycle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system, comprising: a polluted air collection device for collecting polluted air inside a livestock barn; a biofilter containing microorganisms that purify the polluted air collected via the polluted air collection device and decompose the methane gas in the polluted air; a sensor unit for measuring the contamination concentration of the biofilter and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms; and a central control unit that monitors the contamination concentration and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms collected via the sensor unit in real time and notifies whether the biofilter needs to be inspected.

[0014] In this case, the polluted air collection device may be installed outside the livestock barn.

[0015] Here, a main pipe is formed that creates a flow path for circulating the contaminated air discharged outside the barn via the contaminated air collection device back into the barn, and the biofilter may be provided in the main pipe.

[0016] Furthermore, the system includes a main pipe that forms a flow path for circulating the contaminated air discharged outside the barn via the contaminated air collection device back into the barn, and a bypass pipe that forms a bypass flow path for diverting the contaminated air passing through the main pipe back into the main pipe. Multiple bypass pipes may be formed in the main pipe, and the biofilter may be formed in each of the bypass pipes.

[0017] Here, each of the bypass pipes may further form a control valve for controlling the inflow of the contaminated air.

[0018] Furthermore, the system may further include a microbial nutrient solution supply device that supplies nutrients to the microorganisms in the biofilter based on an analysis of the metabolic activity of the microorganisms collected via the sensor unit.

[0019] Here, a plurality of the biofilters are formed, and it may further include a supply pipe that forms a flow path through which the nutrient solution is supplied from the microorganism nutrient solution supply device, a branch pipe that branches from the supply pipe to each of the biofilters, and a supply valve that is formed in the branch pipe and controls the supply amount of the nutrient solution to the biofilter.

[0020] Also, the biofilter may include an adsorption layer that adsorbs methane gas in the contaminated air for initial purification, a biofilm layer in which the microorganisms that decompose the methane gas passing through the adsorption layer inhabit, and a catalyst layer that further decomposes the methane gas passing through the biofilm layer.

[0021] Here, the adsorption layer may contain activated carbon.

[0022] Also, the microorganisms in the biofilm layer may be methane-oxidizing bacteria that decompose the methane gas into carbon dioxide and water.

[0023] Also, a catalyst that promotes an oxidation reaction may be applied to the catalyst layer.

[0024] Also, the sensor unit may be composed of a methane concentration sensor that measures the methane gas concentration on both sides of the adsorption layer with the adsorption layer interposed therebetween and measures the methane gas concentration on both sides of the catalyst layer with the catalyst layer interposed therebetween, and a carbon dioxide concentration sensor that measures the carbon dioxide concentration of the contaminated air passing through the biofilm layer.

[0025] Further, the central control unit may include a data collection unit that collects the contaminated air concentration data in real time from the sensor unit, a data analysis unit that analyzes the data collected by the data collection unit to evaluate the performance of the system and optimize the maintenance cycle of the biofilter, a data storage unit that stores the collected and analyzed data in a structured manner, an analysis software unit that analyzes and visualizes the data in the data storage unit to provide insights, and a display unit that visually displays the epidemic gas concentration data and analysis results collected in real time.

[0026] Furthermore, based on the analysis of the contaminated air concentration collected via the sensor unit, it further includes a microbial nutrient solution supply device that supplies a nutrient solution to the microorganisms in the biofilter. The central control unit analyzes the difference in methane concentration between both sides of the adsorption layer and both sides of the catalyst layer to notify the contamination status and the necessity of replacement of the adsorption layer and the catalyst layer, and can be controlled to analyze the carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide concentration sensor and notify the necessity of supply and replacement of the nutrient solution to the biofilm layer.

[0027] In addition, the contaminated air collection device may be installed between the biofilter and the livestock house, and may include an exhaust fan that guides the contaminated air in the livestock house to the biofilter, and an initial filter that is installed between the exhaust fan and the livestock house and initially purifies the contaminated air discharged from the livestock house.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] The advantages of the present invention obtained through the above-described solution means are as follows.

[0029] First, the present invention can effectively collect and purify methane gas generated in a livestock house, thereby significantly reducing the methane gas discharged into the atmosphere. As a result, the present invention has the effect of reducing the greenhouse effect by contributing to reducing the concentration of methane gas, which is one of the main causes of global warming, in the atmosphere.

[0030] Secondly, the present invention can improve the air quality inside livestock barns by purifying methane gas and circulating it within the barns. As a result, the present invention can contribute to improving the health and productivity of livestock, and also improve the working environment for livestock workers.

[0031] Thirdly, by recirculating the purified gas within the livestock barn, the present invention can reduce the energy consumption required for ventilation and temperature control of the barn. As a result, the present invention has the effect of reducing the operating costs of livestock farmers.

[0032] Fourthly, the present invention enhances processing efficiency by using a biofilter to adsorb, decompose, and catalytically react with methane gas, thereby enabling the processing of larger quantities of methane gas at lower costs and in less time. This has the effect of significantly improving the economics and efficiency of the system.

[0033] Fifth, the present invention can maximize the filtering effect of a biofilter by monitoring and analyzing the microbial state of the biofilter in real time via a sensor system and a central control system.

[0034] Sixth, the present invention has the effect of maximizing system efficiency by automatically managing the maintenance cycle by automatically notifying the need for maintenance and the supply cycle of microbial nutrients. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a livestock methane gas emission reduction system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a livestock methane gas emission reduction system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in a livestock barn. [Figure 3]This figure schematically shows the configuration of a biofilter constituting a livestock methane gas emission reduction system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the central control unit that constitutes a livestock methane gas emission reduction system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] The following provides a more detailed explanation of the livestock building methane gas emission reduction system, with reference to the diagrams.

[0037] In describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of the relevant prior art would obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] The accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed herein, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0039] In the following explanation, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0041] A livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 4.

[0042] The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system captures and purifies methane gas generated within the barn, minimizing the amount of methane gas released into the atmosphere. It also automatically notifies users of biofilter contamination and maintenance warnings during the methane gas purification process.

[0043] As a result, the livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system can reduce air pollution by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the system's efficiency can be improved by automatically managing the maintenance and replacement cycle of the biofilter via a sensor unit that monitors the contamination status of the biofilter in real time.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system may include a contaminated air collection device 100, a main piping system 200, a biofilter 300, a sensor unit 400, a microbial nutrient solution supply device 500, and a central control unit 600.

[0045] The polluted air collection device 100 plays the role of artificially collecting the air inside the livestock barn, performing initial purification, and sending it to the biofilter 300.

[0046] The contaminated air collection device 100 is installed outside the livestock barn and is configured to collect large particles and dust contained in the contaminated air from the livestock barn as it is guided to the biofilter 300, thereby preventing deterioration and damage to the biofilter 300.

[0047] Here, the contaminated air collection device 100 includes an initial filter 110 installed on the outer wall of the livestock barn, and an exhaust fan 120 that discharges the contaminated air from the livestock barn via the initial filter 110, as shown in Figure 2.

[0048] The configuration of the initial filter 110 is not particularly limited; any filter configuration that can filter out large particles, dust, etc. is acceptable.

[0049] Here, the initial filter 110 can be installed on the outer wall near the ceiling, taking into account the characteristic of methane gas rising inside the barn.

[0050] Furthermore, the exhaust fan 120 can also be configured to generate suction towards the inside of the barn.

[0051] Next, the main piping 200 forms a flow path that purifies the contaminated air in the barn and recirculates it back into the barn.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the main piping 200 can be formed by connecting one side of the barn to the other side, allowing the contaminated air discharged through the initial filter 110 to flow back into the barn.

[0053] Here, as the exhaust fan 120 described above rotates continuously in the main pipe 200, a suction force is generated in one direction in the flow path of the main pipe 200.

[0054] Furthermore, the main piping 200 is made of corrosion-resistant material, which minimizes the chemical reaction of the gas.

[0055] On the other hand, the main piping 200 can form a bypass pipe 210.

[0056] The bypass pipe 210 is a component for forming a biofilter 300, and it forms a flow path that allows contaminated air discharged outside the barn to be diverted from the main pipe 200, pass through the biofilter, and then flow back into the main pipe 200.

[0057] Here, multiple bypass pipes 210 may be formed in the line of the main piping 200.

[0058] Such multiple bypass pipes 210 can be equipped with multiple biofilters 300, and when performing maintenance and replacement of the biofilters 300, the biofilters 300 can be selected and the system can be operated continuously, thus maintaining continuity in the purification of contaminated air in livestock barns.

[0059] In this specification, an example is described in which two bypass pipes 210 are formed in the main piping 200.

[0060] On the other hand, each bypass pipe 210 can form a control valve 220 that opens and closes the flow path between the main pipe 200 and the bypass pipe 210.

[0061] By opening and closing the control valve 220, only one of the multiple biofilters 300 may be used, or in some cases, all of the biofilters 300 may be used.

[0062] Next, the biofilter 300 is configured to collect and treat methane gas contained in the contaminated air of the livestock barn, and can be installed in the bypass pipe 210.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the biofilter 300 can form a multilayer filter structure consisting of an adsorption layer 310, a biofilm layer 320, and a catalyst layer 330.

[0064] The adsorption layer 310 is configured to adsorb methane gas from the contaminated air as the contaminated air that has passed through the initial filter 110 passes through it.

[0065] The adsorption layer 310 is located on the far right of the diagram and can form a porous activated carbon layer made by activating carbon materials such as charcoal or coal at high temperatures.

[0066] The adsorption layer 310 has numerous fine pores and a very large surface area, which allows it to effectively capture methane gas and further enhance the purification function through the process of adsorbing methane gas.

[0067] The bio-membrane layer 320 plays a role in decomposing methane gas and can be considered the most essential component in purifying methane gas.

[0068] The biomembrane layer 320 provides a habitat for microorganisms, which then decompose methane gas into carbon dioxide and water, thus purifying the water.

[0069] In other words, once the adsorption layer 310 adsorbs methane gas from the polluted air, the bio-membrane layer 320 decomposes the methane gas from the polluted air into carbon dioxide and water, thereby purifying the polluted air again.

[0070] Here, the microorganisms inhabiting the biomembrane layer 320 may be methane-oxidizing bacteria that decompose methane gas into carbon dioxide and water.

[0071] Microorganisms residing in the biomembrane layer 320 can purify polluted air by reducing its methane concentration through metabolic activity, as they attach to the surface of the filter medium and grow in communities, absorbing methane gas and using it as an energy source.

[0072] Furthermore, the microorganisms in the biomembrane layer 320 produce enzymes necessary for methane decomposition, while also chemically converting methane gas to facilitate its decomposition.

[0073] The catalyst layer 330 plays a role in promoting the decomposition of methane gas and activating the metabolic activity of microorganisms within the biomembrane layer 320.

[0074] The catalyst layer 330 is mainly composed of metal or ceramic material and promotes the oxidation reaction of methane at the point where methane gas and microorganisms come into contact.

[0075] In other words, the catalyst layer 330 promotes the methane oxidation reaction, which accelerates the process in which methane gas reacts with oxygen on the catalyst surface to decompose into carbon dioxide and water. The reactive oxygen species generated in the catalyst layer 330 promote the metabolic activity of methane-oxidizing bacteria residing in the biomembrane layer 320, thereby enabling a microbial metabolic activation process that enhances the efficiency of methane gas decomposition.

[0076] On the other hand, the catalyst material for the catalyst layer 330 can be platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), iron oxide (Fe2O3), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), etc.

[0077] Next, the sensor unit 400 measures the degree of contamination of the biofilter 300 in real time and transmits it to the central control unit 600.

[0078] The sensor unit 400 monitors the degree of contamination of the adsorption layer 310 and catalyst layer 330 in real time, and enables the central control unit 600 to notify the system of the cleaning or replacement cycle for the adsorption layer 310 and catalyst layer 330. The sensor unit 400 also monitors the degree of contamination of the bio-membrane layer 320 in real time, and enables the central control unit 600 to notify the system of the need to supply nutrients to the microorganisms and the replacement cycle for those nutrients.

[0079] Here, the sensor unit 400 may include a methane concentration sensor 410 and a carbon dioxide concentration sensor 420.

[0080] The methane concentration sensors 410 are formed in the direction of the contaminated airflow, both before and after the adsorption layer 310 (left and right sides in the diagram) and before and after the catalyst layer 330 (left and right sides in the diagram).

[0081] The methane concentration sensor 410 monitors the degree of contamination of the adsorption layer 310 and the catalyst layer 330 by measuring the methane concentration before and after the adsorption layer 310 and the catalyst layer 330 in real time. If the methane concentration measurements before and after the adsorption layer 310 and before and after the catalyst layer 330 do not change significantly or are only slight, it may be suspected that the filter layer is becoming increasingly contaminated.

[0082] When the central control unit 600 detects such a change, it can warn or notify the administrator, allowing the administrator to perform appropriate maintenance or take appropriate action on the filter layer.

[0083] On the other hand, the carbon dioxide concentration sensor 420 can evaluate the methane decomposition efficiency by measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide produced after methane is decomposed by microorganisms in the biomembrane layer 320.

[0084] Here, the carbon dioxide concentration sensor 420 is formed behind the biomembrane layer 320 (on the left side in the diagram) in the direction of the contaminated airflow.

[0085] In other words, when methane gas is effectively decomposed by microorganisms within the biomembrane layer 320, carbon dioxide is produced, and the concentration of carbon dioxide increases. Therefore, if the carbon dioxide concentration measurement from the carbon dioxide concentration sensor 420 is high, this means that the activity of microorganisms within the biomembrane layer is high. Conversely, if the carbon dioxide concentration measurement from the carbon dioxide concentration sensor 420 is low or decreasing, it can be interpreted as a signal that the function of the biomembrane layer 320 is weakening, suggesting a decrease in the metabolic activity of the microorganisms.

[0086] When such changes are detected, the central control unit 600 can warn or notify the administrator, who can then supply nutrients to the microorganisms in the biomembrane layer 320 via the microbial nutrient supply device 500 (described later) to promote the metabolic activity of the microorganisms.

[0087] Next, as mentioned above, the microbial nutrient solution supply device 500 plays a role in promoting the metabolic activity of microorganisms by supplying nutrient solution to the biomembrane layer 320 when the function of the biomembrane layer 320 deteriorates, that is, when the metabolic activity of microorganisms weakens.

[0088] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the microbial nutrient solution supply device 500 may include a storage tank 510, a nozzle 520, a supply pipe 530, and a supply pump 540.

[0089] The storage tank 510 provides space for storing nutrients necessary for microbial growth, such as carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and vitamins.

[0090] The nozzle 520 serves to supply nutrients to the biomembrane layer 320 and may be formed at the bottom of the biomembrane layer 320, as shown in Figure 3.

[0091] The nozzle 520 is designed to spray the nutrient solution in the form of fine particles, allowing the nutrient solution to spread uniformly within the biomembrane layer 320.

[0092] This allows microorganisms inside the biomembrane layer 320 to effectively receive the necessary nutrients, thus helping to restore the function of the biomembrane layer 320.

[0093] The supply pipe 530 forms a flow path through which the nutrient solution from the storage tank 510 is supplied to the nozzle, and may be connected between the storage tank 510 and the biofilter 300, as shown in Figure 2. More precisely, the supply pipe 530 may be connected between the storage tank 510 and the nozzle 520 of the biomembrane layer 320.

[0094] Here, the supply pipe 530 may further form branch pipes 531. If multiple biofilters 300 are provided, the branch pipes 531 can branch off from the supply pipe 530 and be connected to each biofilter 300.

[0095] Here, a supply valve 531a can be formed in each branch pipe 531, and the supply valve 531a can control the flow path to the biofilter 300 or control the amount of nutrient solution supplied.

[0096] The supply pump 540 generates pumping force to supply the nutrient solution from the storage tank 510 to the biofilter 300.

[0097] In this way, the microbial nutrient solution supply device 500 can be expected to enhance the function of the biomembrane layer 320 by supporting microbial metabolic activity through the supply of nutrient solution, ultimately increasing the efficiency of methane decomposition.

[0098] The central control unit 600 plays a role in providing integrated control of the system.

[0099] The central control unit 600 can turn the entire system on and off and automatically control the control valve 220 and the supply valve 531a. The central control unit 600 can also control the operation of the exhaust fan 120 and the supply pump 540.

[0100] In particular, the central control unit 600 may include a maintenance and notification system for the biofilter 300.

[0101] The maintenance and notification system consists of biofilter cleaning cycle notifications and replacement cycle notifications, providing users with notifications when cleaning is required according to set criteria.

[0102] Therefore, the central control unit 600 can automate maintenance and maximize system efficiency by notifying the user when it is time to replace filters and sensors.

[0103] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the central control unit 600 may include a data acquisition unit 610, a data analysis unit 620, a data storage unit 630, an analysis software unit 640, and a display unit 650.

[0104] The data acquisition unit 610 is responsible for collecting data on the concentration of carbon dioxide and microbial activity generated within the biofilter 300.

[0105] The data collected in this manner will be used as important information for evaluating the functionality of the biofilter 300. Specifically, by analyzing the changes in microbial activity through changes in methane concentration and carbon dioxide concentration via the data collection unit 610, the current state and level of function of the biofilter 300 can be precisely evaluated.

[0106] Furthermore, this data can be useful as foundational information for the optimal operation and maintenance of the Biofilter 300.

[0107] The data analysis unit 620 analyzes the data collected via the data collection unit 610 to evaluate the performance of the biofilter 300 and optimizes the maintenance cycle and nutrient solution supply cycle.

[0108] Specifically, the data analysis unit 620 statistically analyzes the collected data and understands changes in the performance of the biofilter 300 through various modeling techniques. For example, it can predict the degree of microbial metabolic activity in the biomembrane layer 320 through changes in carbon dioxide concentration, and can warn or notify about the cleaning cycle and replacement requirements for the adsorption layer 310 and catalyst layer 330 through changes in methane gas concentration.

[0109] Based on these analysis results, the data analysis unit 620 can provide the administrator with an optimal operating plan for the biofilter 300.

[0110] The data storage unit 630 plays a role in storing the collected and analyzed data in a structured manner, making it available for subsequent analysis and maintenance.

[0111] The data storage unit 630 systematically classifies and stores the collected raw data and analysis results, and structures the data based on criteria such as time, sensor type, and measurement location.

[0112] This structured storage method allows for easy and quick retrieval of necessary data.

[0113] The analysis software unit 640 plays a role in providing insights by deeply analyzing and visualizing the stored data.

[0114] In other words, the analytical software unit 640 evaluates core performance indicators such as microbial activity, contaminant removal efficiency, and nutrient solution supply cycle, thereby deriving the optimal operating conditions for the biofilter 300 and providing a model that predicts changes in the microbial community and the state of the filter medium.

[0115] Furthermore, the analysis software unit 640 can detect signs of abnormalities early, propose the necessary maintenance timing, and present specific improvement plans for improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.

[0116] The display unit 650 plays a role in visually displaying real-time data and analysis results, enabling users to easily understand the system status.

[0117] In other words, the display unit 650 displays real-time operational data and analysis results of the biofilter 300 system in an intuitive graphical interface, allowing administrators to easily understand the system status.

[0118] Furthermore, the display unit 650 updates key performance indicators such as contaminant removal efficiency, microbial activity, and nutrient solution status in real time, and can immediately generate an alarm if a threshold is exceeded, enabling a rapid response.

[0119] The operation of the livestock building methane gas emission reduction system, which has the configuration described above, will be explained below.

[0120] The manager activates the exhaust fan 120 to expel the contaminated air inside the barn to the outside.

[0121] Here, the contaminated air inside the barn is filtered of dust and other foreign matter through the initial filter 110 during the discharge process.

[0122] Here, the administrator opens the flow path of the bypass pipe 210 on the side of the biofilter 300 that is to be used by the control valve 220, and closes the flow path of the bypass pipe 210 on the side of the biofilter 300 that is not to be used by the control valve.

[0123] As a result, the contaminated air filtered through the initial filter 110 is transported along the main pipe 200, bypassed through the bypass pipe 210, then passes through the biofilter 300, and finally returns to the main pipe 200.

[0124] Here, the adsorption layer 310 of the biofilter 300 adsorbs methane gas contained in the contaminated air.

[0125] Subsequently, the biomembrane layer 320 purifies the methane gas in the contaminated air, which has been partially filtered, as it passes through the adsorption layer 310. Here, the microorganisms in the biomembrane layer 320 purify the methane gas by decomposing it into water and carbon dioxide.

[0126] Subsequently, the methane gas from the contaminated air that has passed through the biomembrane layer 320 passes through the catalyst layer 330, where it reacts with the catalyst on the surface of the catalyst layer 330 and is decomposed again into carbon dioxide and water.

[0127] In this way, the contaminated air is converted into purified air as it passes through various layers of the biofilter 300, and then transferred to the main pipe 200, where the purified air flows back into the barn along the main pipe 200.

[0128] As this series of processes continues, the methane gas inside the barn is purified through the Biofilter 300 and then continues to circulate within the barn, minimizing its release into the atmosphere.

[0129] Meanwhile, while the contaminated air purification process continues, the central control unit 600 continuously monitors the contamination status of the biofilter 300 and notifies the cleaning and replacement cycles for the adsorption layer 310 and the catalyst layer 330. The central control unit 600 can also activate the nutrient solution supply device 500 to supply nutrient solution to the biomembrane layer 320 by monitoring the biomembrane layer 320.

[0130] As described above, the livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to the present invention minimizes the release of methane gas from inside the livestock barn into the atmosphere by purifying the contaminated air inside the livestock barn through a biofilter and then circulating it back into the barn. Furthermore, it can automatically notify the administrator of the periodic inspection and replacement cycles of the biofilter through periodic monitoring, thereby improving the convenience and efficiency of system operation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 100 Contaminated air collection device 110 Initial Filter 120 exhaust fan 200 Main piping 210 Bypass pipe 220 Control valve 300 Biofilters 310 Adsorption layer 320 Biomembrane layer 330 Catalyst layer 400 Sensor Unit 410 Methane concentration sensor 420 Carbon Dioxide Concentration Sensor 500 Microbial Nutrient Solution Supply System 510 Storage Tanks 520 nozzles 530 Supply pipe 531 Branch pipe 531a Supply valve 540 Supply pump 600 Central Control Unit 610 Data Acquisition Unit 620 Data Analysis Department 630 Data Storage Unit 640 Analysis Software Department 650 Display section

Claims

1. A contaminated air collection device that collects contaminated air inside the livestock barn, A biofilter containing microorganisms that purify the contaminated air collected via the aforementioned contaminated air collection device and decompose the methane gas in the contaminated air, A sensor unit for measuring the contamination concentration of the biofilter and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms, A livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system, comprising: a central control unit that monitors the contamination concentration and the metabolic activity of the microorganisms collected via the sensor unit in real time and notifies the system of whether or not the biofilter needs to be inspected.

2. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 1, wherein the polluted air collection device is installed outside the livestock barn.

3. A main pipe is formed that creates a flow path for circulating the contaminated air discharged outside the livestock building via the aforementioned contaminated air collection device back into the livestock building. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 2, wherein the biofilter is provided in the main piping.

4. A main pipe is formed that creates a flow path for circulating the contaminated air discharged outside the livestock building via the aforementioned contaminated air collection device back into the livestock building. The invention further includes a bypass pipe that forms a bypass channel for diverting the contaminated air passing through the main pipe and guiding it back to the main pipe, The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of bypass pipes are formed in the main piping, and the biofilters are formed in each of the bypass pipes.

5. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 4, wherein each of the bypass pipes further forms a control valve for controlling the inflow of the contaminated air.

6. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 1, further comprising a microbial nutrient solution supply device that supplies a nutrient solution to the microorganisms in the biofilter based on an analysis of the metabolic activity of the microorganisms collected via the sensor unit.

7. Multiple biofilters are formed, A supply pipe forming a channel through which nutrient solution is supplied from the microbial nutrient solution supply device, Branch pipes that branch off from the supply pipe to each of the biofilters, The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 6, further comprising a supply valve formed in the branch pipe for controlling the amount of nutrient solution supplied to the biofilter.

8. The biofilter described above is An adsorption layer that adsorbs methane gas from the contaminated air to perform initial purification, A biomembrane layer inhabited by microorganisms that decompose methane gas that has passed through the adsorption layer, The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 1, comprising a catalyst layer for further decomposing the methane gas that has passed through the biomembrane layer.

9. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 8, wherein the adsorption layer includes activated carbon.

10. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 8, characterized in that the microorganisms in the biomembrane layer are methane oxidizing bacteria that decompose the methane gas into carbon dioxide and water.

11. The livestock methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 8, wherein the catalyst layer is coated with a catalyst that promotes oxidation reactions.

12. The aforementioned sensor unit is A methane concentration sensor measures the methane gas concentration on both sides of the adsorption layer, and also measures the methane gas concentration on both sides of the catalyst layer, A livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 8, comprising a carbon dioxide concentration sensor for measuring the carbon dioxide concentration of contaminated air that has passed through the biomembrane layer.

13. The central control unit is A data acquisition unit that collects the polluted air concentration data in real time from the sensor unit, A data analysis unit analyzes the data collected by the data acquisition unit to evaluate the system's performance and optimize the maintenance cycle of the biofilter. A data storage unit that stores the collected and analyzed data in a structured manner, An analysis software unit analyzes and visualizes the data from the data storage unit to provide insights, A livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 1, comprising a display unit that visually displays real-time collected epidemic gas concentration data and analysis results.

14. The system further includes a microbial nutrient solution supply device that supplies a nutrient solution to the microorganisms in the biofilter based on the analysis of the polluted air concentration collected via the sensor unit, The central control unit is By analyzing the difference in methane concentration between both sides of the adsorption layer and both sides of the catalyst layer, the contamination status of the adsorption layer and the catalyst layer and whether replacement is necessary are notified. The livestock barn methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 12, wherein the carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide concentration sensor is analyzed and controlled to notify whether or not it is necessary to supply and replace the nutrient solution to the biomembrane layer.

15. The aforementioned contaminated air collection device, An exhaust fan is installed between the biofilter and the livestock barn, and guides the contaminated air inside the livestock barn to the biofilter. The livestock shed methane gas emission reduction system according to claim 1, comprising an initial filter installed between the exhaust fan and the livestock shed for initial purification of the contaminated air discharged from the livestock shed.

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