Elevated Spreading Apparatus for Continuous Ammonia Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling ammonia emissions in animal agriculture operations are ineffective after the initial two weeks of animal growth, as there is no practical means to apply ammonia control chemicals to the floor once the chickens have grown and become packed, leading to resumed ammonia emissions throughout the remainder of the grow-out period.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for applying an ammonia control chemical, such as sodium bisulfate, using a spreading apparatus installed at an elevated position in the animal house, which feeds the chemical onto the floor, allowing continuous coverage and contact with ammonia emissions throughout the grow-out period, including both early and late stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If chemical is applied to floor before chickens are introduced, then ammonia emissions are controlled during early grow out period, but ammonia emissions resume and continue throughout remainder of grow out period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous ammonia control throughout the entire grow out period by using a spreading apparatus that can apply chemical to the floor at any time, eliminating the gap in control that occurs with manual application methods. The system enables repeated applications to maintain continuous effectiveness from day 1 through day 6 of the grow out period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static pre-application of chemical to a dynamic system where the spreading apparatus can be activated at any time during the grow out period. The apparatus includes movable components and control mechanisms that allow flexible timing of chemical application based on operational needs throughout the entire grow out duration.
2Productivity
If chickens are packed together as they grow, then space utilization is improved, but application of chemical to floor becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application methods with an automated spreading apparatus that uses mechanical spreading mechanisms. The apparatus includes spreading means that can distribute chemical across the floor surface without requiring physical access to the floor level, thereby eliminating the operational difficulty created by packed chickens.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading apparatus acts as an intermediary between the chemical supply and the floor surface. It provides a mediator mechanism that delivers chemical to the floor without requiring direct human intervention or physical access to the confined space between packed chickens, thus maintaining ease of operation throughout the grow out period.
3Device complexity
If chemical application is limited to pre-introduction timing, then application simplicity is maintained, but ammonia control effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ammonia control function into multiple application opportunities throughout the grow out period. Rather than relying on a single pre-introduction application, the system enables multiple discrete applications at different times, with each application contributing to overall ammonia control effectiveness. This segmentation allows flexibility without requiring a completely complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains the beneficial preliminary action of applying chemical before chicken introduction, while adding the capability for subsequent applications. The spreading apparatus is designed to enable repeated use, with each application building upon the previous one to maintain cumulative effectiveness throughout the entire grow out period.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively reduces or prevents ammonia emissions into the air by continuously applying the chemical, maintaining a controlled ammonia level below 25 ppm, thereby improving animal health and environmental sustainability throughout the grow-out period.
Implementation Method 1
When ammonia from the chicken waste comes into contact with the chemical it reacts and is changed into solid ammonium sulfate and as a result it is not emitted into the air as gaseous ammonia
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed for applying a chemical, such as an ammonia control chemical, in an animal house. The apparatus includes spreading apparatus adapted to be installed at an elevated position in the animal house and adapted for spreading the chemical onto the floor in the house. The apparatus also includes feeding apparatus adapted for feeding the chemical from a supply to the spreading apparatus. A method of controlling ammonia emissions from an animal agriculture operation includes applying an ammonia control chemical during both the early part and the late part of the grow out of the animals so that the chemical contacts ammonia from animal waste and reduces or prevents its emission into the air.