ATOMIZATION

The atomization treatment yielded a reduction in Particulate Matter concentration of 75-90% from before to after treatment. Its effectiveness was evaluated by comparing air quality from before to after treatment and between treated and untreated sides of a barn separated by an impervious partition. ( Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

In conclusion, the current study adds to a growing body of literature demonstrating the effectiveness of oil atomization in reducing airborne PM levels within CAFO s. It logically follows that reductions indoors will yield proportional reductions in PM levels emitted into the surrounding community. It is likely that continued advances will be made in the formulation and/or method of application to further enhance the effect of treatment. The availability of such technologies holds promise for reducing worker and community exposures to PM. Furthermore, because CAFO s can potentially fall within the definition of a stationary source under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. EPA and state governments have the authority to require that CAFO s measure and control their emissions. The treatment evaluated in this study could help bring a CAFO in compliance for PM standards. ( Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

Product/how it works -- Atomization

First, we blend the corn oil into a water formulation that includes alcohol, citric acid, eucalyptus, and vanilla to dry and help mix the atomized aerosol, neutralize gaseous ammonia, and provide a pleasant odor, respectively. Second, the oil formulation is applied under high pressure, yielding micron-sized charged particles that will likely be more efficient in particle removal through electrostatic attraction and coagulation.

Alcohol is also used to keep nozzles sterilized and help disinfect, clean, and heal infectious cuts and abrasions that occur throughout a hog's life. Studies have been administered to reveal citric acid makes anti-biotics more readily available to the hogs. Eucalyptus is used for medicinal purposes. Eucalyptus helps make the air easier to breathe and helps clean the cilia in the producers and hogs nasal/lung passages. Vanilla is used as a deceptor to influence a positive odor for the barn. Vanilla has also proven to be a pheromone for sows and in people helps to fight anxiety.

This solution is stored inside of an outside 8'X8'X8' utility shed called a bio-security unit. The bio-security unit is the brain of the system. It houses the computer that operates the system; The main pump for pressurizing the solution; Valves that operate each manifold; Filters for each manifold; Electrical panel for all switches and fuses that operate the computer; And a 275 gallon tote to hold the solution. This unit is heated and centralized at each swine facility. The need for a bio-security unit is simply for operational purposes. We need to fill our totes with solution and we don't want to enter the farm and introduce any bacteria to the facility. Example: like filling a propane tank.

On the ceiling of the barn are located our manifolds that have nozzles spaced at either five or ten foot centers. In the breeding and gestation barns we require five foot centers due to the facility setup and uniform coverage that is recommended. In the finishing barns we require ten foot centers due to the facility setup and the uniform coverage that is recommended.

The computer is programmed to operate efficiently for different facilities. In our finishing facilities we atomize six times a day, once every four hours for only five seconds each cycle. In our breeding and gestation facilities we atomize three times a day, once every eight hours for only three seconds each cycle. This is done simply to only cover the adequate amount of square footage recommended per animal space. Daily usage is subject to barn size.

First the computer tells the system that we want to atomize. The system starts and agitates the solution in the tote for ten minutes to get the atomization solution into full suspension. Once the solution is in total suspension the pump pressurizes the solution throughout the manifold at 235 psi and pushes the solution through the special manufactured nozzles to produce an aerosol mist for three to five seconds depending on the facility. The mist fills the barn collecting dust particulates magnetically and creating an acid base reaction that reacts to the odors and gases present in the aerobic environment; providing a healthy atmosphere.

Bio-Security Unit