Location: Livestock Bio-Systems
Project Number: 3040-63000-002-003-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 15, 2026
End Date: Jul 15, 2027
Objective:
To validate the air flow, gas exchange, and cleaning procedure for an automated gas sampling system used to measure nutrient losses of livestock waste when digested by black soldier fly larva (BSFL).
Approach:
Researchers are USMARC will conduct a series of studies to validate the air flow, gas exchange, and cleaning procedure for an automated gas sampling system built at USMARC. The first study will verify the flow rate of the air through the gas sampling system using an anemometer. The second study will determine water vapor at the inlet the outlet of the chambers to determine evaporation rate is consistent across all boxes. The third study will verify the cleaning method by measuring emissions from boxes that are washed and boxes that have been washed and soaked in low concentration of hydrochloric acid to neutralize any residual ammonia in the boxes.
Cooperator will process the data using an in-house data processing program.
Researchers at USMARC will run statistical analysis of the processed data and collaborate with Cooperator to prepare a manuscript for publication. Dr. Stromer will be the first author with Drs. Cortus and Spiehs as co-authors.