Fatty Acid Bedding Additive for Odor and Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farm animal bedding materials become odorous due to anaerobic and aerobic decomposition of waste, leading to health issues and disease transmission among animals, and existing treatments are inadequate in eliminating odors and improving animal health without significant changes to farming practices.
Innovation Solution
Applying a composition of carboxylic acids with 12 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, to the bedding material, along with optional additives like molecular oxygen sources and nutrients, to stimulate microbial growth and remediate waste, thereby reducing odors and pathogenic bacteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If bedding material is used to absorb animal waste, then animal comfort and hygiene are improved, but odorous gases and pathogenic organisms accumulate causing health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies carboxylic acids to convert the harmful anaerobic decomposition process into a beneficial aerobic decomposition process. The carboxylic acids lower the pH, creating conditions that favor aerobic bacteria over anaerobic bacteria, thereby converting the harmful odorous gases into beneficial decomposition products while improving animal health
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the bedding environment by introducing carboxylic acids that lower the pH. This parameter change shifts the microbial balance from anaerobic to aerobic decomposition, fundamentally altering the decomposition pathway to eliminate odorous gases and improve animal health
2Quantity of substance
If ammonia concentration increases in bedding, then waste absorption capacity is maintained, but animal respiratory health deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carboxylic acids convert the harmful ammonia production pathway into a beneficial pathway by promoting aerobic decomposition. This converts ammonia (a harmful gas) into less odorous decomposition products, maintaining waste absorption capacity while eliminating respiratory irritants
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the pH parameter through carboxylic acid application, the patent alters the chemical environment to suppress ammonia generation and promote alternative decomposition pathways that do not produce harmful gases
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional odor control methods are used, then some odor reduction is achieved, but pathogenic bacteria remain and animal performance is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carboxylic acids to convert the harmful pathogenic bacterial environment into a beneficial one by creating acidic conditions that inhibit pathogen growth while promoting the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria. This simultaneously reduces odor and eliminates pathogens, improving overall animal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pH parameter to create an environment unfavorable for pathogenic bacteria while favorable for beneficial microorganisms. This parameter change achieves both odor control and pathogen elimination, unlike conventional methods that only address odor
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 method effectively reduces odorous gases, improves animal health, and enhances avian performance by promoting microbial degradation of organic waste, leading to improved weight gain, feed efficiency, and reduced disease exposure without requiring major changes to existing farm practices.
Implementation Method 1
stimulate microbial growth and remediate waste, thereby reducing odors and pathogenic bacteria
Implementation Method 2
Some of the odors emanating during the decomposition of manure may also be the result of biological processes carried out during aerobic decomposition
Data Source
AI summary
Composition and method for promoting growth of microbes that are capable of degrading animal waste. The method includes applying a nontoxic composition to a bedding substrate that is disposed to receive animal waste. The composition comprises a carboxylic acid, preferably the carboxylic acid is a fatty acid, and more preferably a combination of a saturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, a preferred composition comprises a saturated fatty acid having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and an unsaturated fatty acid having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. A still more preferred composition used both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms. Optionally, the composition may include or encapsulate nutrients, an oxygen-releasing compound, or microbes.