Device for quantitation of odors from liquid livestock wastes

Abstract

The gas sample device structure has a housing with a continuous normally vertical sidewall, closed top and an open bottom. Buoyant elements are secured to the housing to maintain its vertical position in a body of liquid livestock waste. A normally closed compartment is located on the top of the housing. A partition is located within the closed compartment to divide it into first and second subcompartments. An opening is provided in the closed top of the housing to allow gases from liquid manure in the housing to move into the first subcompartment. One or more hollow gas detection tubes are mounted in the second subcompartment and have a first open end in communication with the interior of the first subcompartment to receive gases from within the first compartment. The method of the invention involves placing the housing in a liquid manure lagoon so its buoyancy is maintained by the buoyancy elements, but the lower portion thereof is submerged in the liquid manure. The gases rise from the liquid into the upper end of the housing and through a suitable opening into a closed compartment on top of the housing where the gases are caused to move through gas detection tubes for a period of time.