Evaluation of a mechanical foam mitigation device

Turner, Gilbert

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/45619 Copy

Description

Title

Evaluation of a mechanical foam mitigation device

Author(s)

Turner, Gilbert

Issue Date

2013-08-22T16:55:38Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Gates, Richard S.

Department of Study

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Discipline

Technical Systems Management

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Deep-pit
• Foam Control
• Foaming
• Manure
• Swine

Abstract

Foam production in deep-pit swine manure storages has become a significant problem for the swine industry in recent years. Foaming creates management and safety issues for swine producers, including increased risk of flash fires or explosions and reduced manure storage capacity. Due to these concerns, a means of quickly and safely mitigating foam produced in these facilities was sought. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a purpose-built mechanical foam mitigation device to destroy foam in foaming swine deep-pit manure storages and to evaluate the difference, if any, of continuous versus episodic device operation and device installation location. A swine production facility in central Illinois, with a history of extensive foam production, was selected to evaluate the mechanical foam mitigation device. The device was tested in three barns and various foam depths for both continuous and episodic operation. Results show that the device was capable of destroying foam at rates ranging from 3% to 6% of initial foam volume destroyed per hour. Although operating the device episodically produced superior results in terms of foam destruction rate in foam depths greater than 0.2 m when the device was installed in a pump-out port, the improvement did not offset the time the device was inactive. Therefore, it is recommended that the device be operated continuously. When installed in a pump-out port and operated continuously, the device was capable of mitigating foam over a radial distance of at least 21 m.

Graduation Semester

2013-08

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45619

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Gilbert Turner

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