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Introduction

The guidelines described here is a method to measure the ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions of manure stored in an open pit using SF₆ tracer gas, which requires some precautions.

The greenhouse and tracing gas concentrations are measured up and under the wind of the source. The SF₆ is released using a flowmeter mass so that it mixes well with the greenhouse gas and recorded by the DAS. The concentrations in SF₆, CH₄, N₂O and CO₂ at the points of measurement, the tracing gas concentration and the flow of tracing gas at the injection points are used to calculate issue rates of CH₄, CO₂ and N₂O of the slurry pit.

Equipment

Tracer Gas Delivery System

• Tracer gas – pure SF₆ 99+%
• Mass flow meter – calibrated with the tracer gas
• Data acquisition system (DAS) for monitoring and recording the signal output of the mass flow meter
• Silicone tube (6x4mm) with a known permeability to SF₆

Determination of SF₆, CH₄, N₂O, CO₂ concentration

• Gas chromatograph (GC) set up wit Flame ionization detector and Electron capture detector (ECD) with appropriate chromatographic column (30m AT-1 capillary or equivalent)
• Computerized integration software
• Mobile laboratory to carry on equipment on measuring site, as that place is usually not available near manure stores

Sampling of air flow from slurry store

• 2 Mast for sampling air
• Pumps
• Gas sample valves
• Polyethylene (12 mm) or similar inert tubing
• Various stainless fittings for tube connections

Meteorology conditions

• Analogical Anemometer-Wind Vane

Guideline details

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