Development of a Hydrogen Sulfide Model for Animal Production Sites in Minnesota

Larry Jacobson, Professor
David Schmidt, Assistant Extension Engineer

Funding Source

Minnesota Pork Producers Association

Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a hydrogen sulfide setback model, analogous to OFFSET (Odor From Feedlots–Setback Estimation Tool), for use by Minnesota pork producers.

Need or Impact

The need for some type of screening tool to assess if new or existing animal production sites in Minnesota exceed the state’s H2S ambient standard is needed. Current methods for assessing this potential require individual, site-specific computer modeling that is often cost prohibitive to many producers. With the current economic challenges associated with animal agriculture, a low cost, high quality assessment tool is vital for the maintenance and growth of the state’s pork industry.

Project Status

Hydrogen sulfide emission data has been modeled with three dispersion models and using a rank order comparison of data (not matched in space and time), results shows the dispersion models (AERMOD in particular) may be useful in predicting maximum concentrations over a period of time. New H2S emission data from recent emission monitoring projects are being incorporated into these generic models.