U-Shaped Muzzle Skirt for Non-Invasive Methane Emission Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring methane emissions from ruminants are invasive, imprecise, or difficult to implement in real-world conditions, especially in free-range environments, and are costly, limiting their effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive device with a skirt-shaped gas collection system that surrounds the muzzle of the animal, using a resistive or infrared sensor to measure methane emissions, and a wireless communication system to transmit data, along with a gyroscope or inclinometer to trigger measurements during vertical head positions, allowing for continuous monitoring without disturbing the animal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mask with a skirt completely enclosing the muzzle is used, then gas collection is improved, but animal disturbance and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The skirt is segmented into multiple vertical portions (first, second, third, fourth portions) that can be positioned at different heights and locations around the muzzle. This segmentation allows the gas collection system to capture emissions effectively while leaving gaps that prevent complete enclosure, thereby reducing animal disturbance and improving ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If continuous measurement is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system operates periodically rather than continuously. The processor triggers measurements based on detected belching events, and the system can enter low-power states between measurements. This periodic operation maintains measurement precision for actual belching events while significantly reducing overall energy consumption and extending battery life.
3Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but animal disturbance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skirt acts as an intermediary structure that indirectly captures gas emissions without requiring direct contact with or intrusion into the animal's mouth or nasal passages. The gas is collected through the skirt's openings and channeled to the measurement device, providing accurate emission data while maintaining animal comfort and natural behavior.
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
Enables precise, continuous, and cost-effective measurement of methane emissions in real-world conditions, reducing animal disturbance and increasing battery life, while providing accurate data for feed adaptation to minimize emissions.
Implementation Method 1
using a resistive or infrared sensor to measure methane emissions
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and a method for measuring the quantities of gas, in particular greenhouse gases, released by an animal and more particularly during the belching of an animal, such as a ruminant, in particular a bovine.To this end the invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the quantities of gas released during the belching of an animal (2), the device comprising a measuring apparatus (5) for the quantities of gas released by the animal (2), means for fixing said apparatus (1) to the muzzle (3) of the animal (2), and a skirt (6) suitable for being positioned over the muzzle (3) of the animal (2) and comprising means for collecting the gas exiting through the mouth (26) of the animal (2) and for conveying it to the measuring apparatus (5), which is characterized in that the skirt (6) has a general inverted U shape and surrounds only the top and sides of the muzzle (3) of the animal (2) while being open in front of the nostrils and the mouth 26 and under the muzzle.