Reduce Ammonia Emissions

Modular floating covers

ammonia and vapor from water pollutants

Reduction of Ammonia & Odor emmissions

Ammonia emissions into the atmosphere occur primarily from livestock buildings, manure storage facilities, during manure handling and treatment, and when manure is applied on land. It is a significant respiratory hazard for workers who experience continuous, long-term exposure to the gas and can cause skin and eye irritation. Long-term exposure to ammonia can cause pneumonia, both in livestock and workers.

The same practices that reduce ammonia emissions also reduce odor emissions. Hydrogen sulfides and other volatile organic compounds are noxious pollutants and are hazardous to workers’ health.

Adding a cover can significantly reduce odors from open manure storage facilities, as determined from both practical farm experience and controlled experiments. It creates an interface between the gas and the liquid constitutes a barrier to gas and odor transfer. The floating cover reduces the transfer of ammonia but also other odorous compounds (H2S) from the liquid to the atmosphere, basically due to an increase of the surface-to-air resistance at the liquid-air interface. The Hexprotect® floating covers up to 99% of the total surface and can reduce odors by up to 90%.

Permeable covers, such as the the Hexprotect® AQUA floating covers, have been shown to be more suitable for reducing odor from livestock manure facilities than impermeable material. An aerobic layer is established on the top of the cover, so that some of the odorous compounds that escape may be aerobically broken down before they are released to the atmosphere. Impermeable floating material allows odorous compounds to escape through leaks at joints and near the tank walls.

The main challenge most operators faces is to find an economical solution, both with initial and operating costs, and to minimize maintenance. Covers that have regular or even moderate labor requirements, such as solid covers, are at a definite disadvantage when compared to our modular covers that require no maintenance at all.

Air-filled balls such as the Armor Ball have also been used as a floating cover for outdoor manure storage facilities. One study reported about 15% ammonia losses from cattle slurry, and between 5% and 12% from pig slurry as compared to 100% losses from uncovered control tanks.

Added advantages of installing a floating cover

Covering a lagoon has many added benefits besides eliminating odor emission.

  • Reduction of liquid loss through evaporation by up to 95%.
  • Reduced chemical consumption.
  • Heating costs reduced by up to 75%.
  • Odor containment. Less exposed surface area results in less odor emission..
  • Camouflage pond basins from waterfowl / bird deterrent
  • Improved working environments.
  • Reduces sunlight penetration, precluding growth of algae and clogging weeds.
  • Reduce ice formation

Modular covers advantages versus solid covers

All our covers offer substantial advantage over solid covers:

  • Less Expensive
  • Each tile is made of long lasting, UV resistant, high quality HDPE
  • Allow movement of equipment through liquid. Unlimited and easy access to the liquid.
  • Adjust to the variation of the liquid level by spreading & stacking
  • Naturally Self arrange and interlock on the liquid surface
  • Virtually maintenance free
  • Cannot tear like conventional solid cover
  • Aeration can be installed underneath
  • Reduce chemical consumption.
  • Unaffected by rain water
  • No vegetation growth on top.
  • 10 Year warranty
  • Life expectancy of 25 years
Products Comparison Armor Ball® Armor Ball® Aqua Hexprotect® Hexprotect® Aqua HEXPROTECT MAX R RHOMBO 66 RHOMBO 169
Surface coverage (up to) 91% 91% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99%
Insulation (R factor) ++ + ++ + +++++ +++ ++++
Heating cost reduction (up to) 75% 75% 85% 85% 85% 85% 85%
Evaporation Reduction ++++ ++++ ++ ++++ ++++ +++++ +++++
Wind Resistant + ++++ ++ +++++ ++ +++++ +++++
Buoyancy (per sq.ft)
Odor Control greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Chemical Evaporation Reduction greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Algae Reduction greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Bird Deterrent greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Snow & Ice Resistant greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Quick Install greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Maintenance Free greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Life Expectancy 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years
Cost Estimate greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck

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