Apparatus for removing odor from animal confinement buildings

Abstract

Apparatus for removing odor from the air exhaust of animal confinement buildings is described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a plenum housing attached to an existing exhaust fan on an animal confinement building. The plenum housing has an entrance and an exit, and houses a baffle having a roughened surface. Water is delivered to the baffle surface by spray headers which are configured to spray water from a top edge of the baffle. A water curtain is generated by spray nozzles at the plenum housing exit. A trough is configured to collect a water effluent from a bottom edge of the baffle. In use and according to the methods described, an air stream consisting of exhaust air from an animal confinement building is directed toward the water-flooded baffle surface. Odor particles in the air stream impinge on the baffle surface and are adsorbed by the water. The air stream continues to flow past the baffle surface and through the water screen at the plenum housing exit. Additional odor particles and water soluble gases are absorbed and adsorbed by the water screen. Droplets from the water screen fall to the baffle surface and are collected with the effluent. The effluent is drained away directly to a lagoon or to a primary waste water treatment facility for treatment to remove odor particles and gasses.