Abstract: A method and system for flushing an area of a robotic harvest dairy barn is presented. The method is based upon defining areas within the dairy barn that, by virtue of use of robots for “cow-initiated” milking will be maintained in a hygienically clean and dry condition with frequent flushings of short duration. The four areas of the barn felt to benefit from this frequent flushing including any of: an area immediately surrounding a robot; a holding area for staging cows for milking at the robot; a robot control room; and a milk collection room. In the relevant areas the flooring deck is configured to slope at its upper surface to define a drain area, the drain area including at least one grated drain positioned to collect any liquid deposited on the upper surface of the provided flooring deck. A collecting pipe network conducts liquid collected to a baffled tank.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting waste fibers to solid fuel. The process includes providing a supply of animal waste including the waste fibers in a predetermined quantity, subjecting the supply of animal waste to anaerobic digestion, producing a waste byproduct, dewatering the waste byproduct, and compressing the dewatered waste byproduct to form briquettes.

Abstract: A filter assembly including a rectangular inlet frame having a rectangular inlet opening, a rectangular outlet frame, a housing body being collapsible to have a flattened shipping state and an erect state, the collapsible housing body in the erect state being rectangular and interposed between the rectangular inlet frame and the rectangular outlet frame in an assembled state, and at least one filter having filter media installed in the rectangular inlet opening in generally sealing relation thereto and projecting from the inlet frame toward the outlet frame in the assembled state.

Abstract: The containment facility ventilation system comprises a two stage scrubber configuration. Exhaust air flows out of an animal containment facility and into a particulate scrubber, which removes particulates and reduces the alkalinity of the exhaust air. The particulate scrubber also reduces the carbon dioxide in the exhaust air. The air then flows into a chemical scrubber which effectively removes ammonia from the exhaust air. The chemical scrubber comprises a potassium bisulfate scrubber solution, and the particulate scrubber comprises a neutral calcium salt scrubber solution.

Abstract: A pig-raising method is provided that decreases the bad odors of pig excreta, improves pig-raising efficiency, and stimulates the growth of the pigs so as to improve the quality of their meat so as to enable pig farmers to obtain good-quality meat. With the pig-raising method of the present invention (1) a pig house is provided with a water-supply system that passes water through first ceramic particles, with said activated water then supplied to pigs for drinking, and (2) pigs are fed a blended feed that consists of ordinary feed and second ceramic particles whose main component is silica obtained from plant materials and which constitutes 0.1%-3.0% of the weight of said blended feed. Further, there is spread over the floors of the pig houses a floor covering that consists of a mixture of sawdust and the second ceramic particles, with said second ceramic particles constituting 1.0%-10% of the weight of said floor covering.

Abstract: The inventive animal breeding plant comprises an animal stall area (1a-1f), means (11) for sharply flushing a cleaning fluid in said area in order to wash it and a channel which is used for recovering a mixture formed by said cleaning fluid and wastes flushed thereby and is arranged in front of said flushing means with respect to said area. The flushing means comprise at least one bucket (11) which is movably mounted between filling and flushing positions and whose shape is selected such that, when the filling level thereof with the cleaning fluid attains a predetermined threshold, the gravity center of the thus filled bucket (11) is shifted to such a point that the bucket (11) is tilted from said filling position to the flushing position in such a way that the fluid is sharply flushed in the area (1a-1f).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for economically filtering air into swine farms and other animal enclosures. Advantageously, the invention substantially reduces the risk to airborne transfer of disease into animal enclosures. In one embodiment, a method for providing clean air to an animal enclosure includes providing an animal enclosure having an animal containing volume for containing a plurality of animals, removing air from the internal volume via at least one exhaust fan, and filtering air being pulled into the enclosure by the at least one exhaust fan using a fully sealed filter, the fully sealed filter having a particle separation sufficiently efficient to prevent detection of live (PRRS-) virus downstream the of filter, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of samples collected with a cyclonic aerosol collector.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a manure conveyor device. The method includes driving a first return roller about which a manure conveyor belt circulates at a first rotational speed, and driving a second return roller about which the manure conveyor belt circulates at a second rotational speed. During a first interval the first rotational speed exceeds the second rotational speed, and during a second interval the second rotational speed exceeds the first rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving debris such as chicken manure away from a wall including a frame assembly movable across a floor, a scraping member suspended from the frame assembly and a guide member connected to the scraping member. The scraping member is arranged for scraping debris away from the wall and causing movement of the scraping member and frame assembly toward the wall when the frame assembly is moved in a predetermined direction across the floor. The guide member causes movement of the scraping member away from the wall and around objects projecting out from the wall such as support beams.

Abstract: The inventive animal breeding plant comprises an animal stall area (1a-1f), means (11) for sharply flushing a cleaning fluid in said area in order to wash it and a channel which is used for recovering a mixture formed by said cleaning fluid and wastes flushed thereby and is arranged in front of said flushing means with respect to said area. The flushing means comprise at least one bucket (11) which is movably mounted between filling and flushing positions and whose shape is selected such that, when the filling level thereof with the cleaning fluid attains a predetermined threshold, the gravity center of the thus filled bucket (11) is shifted to such a point that the bucket (11) is tilted from said filling position to the flushing position in such a way that the fluid is sharply flushed in the area (1a-1f).

Abstract: An atomization system for odor control in a livestock storage facility providing a quantity of odor control product in a reservoir holding an odor control product; a pump in communication with the reservoir; a circulation loop running throughout the livestock storage facility and communicating with the pump and the reservoir; and a plurality of atomization nozzles connected with the circulation loop for distribution of the odor control product onto surfaces of the storage facility and the livestock. The odor control product contains a mixture of vegetable oil, a natural acidic compound, alcohol, and water. Advantageously, the acidic compound in the odor control product is vinegar or concentrated citrus juice. A water supply line is also connected to the circulation loop through a water pump to provide a cooling mist throughout the facility.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing odors of livestock confinement operations which utilizes a V-shaped filter of wood chips disposed in front of exhaust fans from manure pits under a livestock confinement building and a method of cleaning the wood chips involving spraying them with a solution.

Abstract: An overhead livestock enclosure washing system for cleaning the pens of a livestock confinement building. The overhead livestock enclosure washing system includes a track member coupled to the ceiling of the building. A mobile unit operationally engages the track member and selectively advances along the track member. The mobile unit is for being in fluid communication with a fluid source to spray fluid into the interior space of the livestock confinement building to clean the interior space of the building when the mobile unit advances along the track member. A base unit is positioned on the floor of the livestock confinement building. The base unit is in fluid communication with the mobile unit whereby the base unit controls the flow of the fluid from the fluid source to provide the mobile unit with pressurized fluid when the mobile unit is cleaning the interior space of the building.

Abstract: The animal stall soil agitator includes a mounting plate assembly pivotally attached to a tractor loader boom for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal loader boom axis. An elongated frame assembly has an inboard frame end attached to the mounting plate assembly and outboard frame end that extends laterally to one side of the tractor loader boom. An elongated bar is journaled on the elongated frame assembly. A plurality of flat soil agitator bars are fixed to the elongated bar. The flat soil agitator bars are oriented to minimize lateral movement of agitated soil. A reversible hydraulic motor is connected to a hydraulic system of the tractor and rotates the elongated bar in a selected direction. The elongated frame assembly is pivotable about a vertical axis relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A pig pen structure has a walking passage and a plurality of pig houses for housing an animal installed along the walking passage. Each pig house has an evacuation room, a lodging room having front, back, and two side walls, and an evacuation room gate installed between the evacuation room and the lodging room. The evacuation room is accessible to the animal for excretion when the evacuation room gate is opened. The evacuation room gate when closed becomes a part of the back wall. A urine tube is installed on the bottom of the evacuation room, so that the excreted urine in the evacuation room flows down to the urine tube to remove the excreted urine outside the pig house. The plurality of the pig houses is arranged so that the front walls of the pig houses adjoin the walking passage. A continuous passage way is formed by the evacuation rooms along the back wall of the lodging room when the evacuation room gates of the pig houses are in closed position.

Abstract: A method of treating animal manure solids comprises contacting the solids with a treatment composition comprising AlCl3.nH2O or Al(NO3)3.mH2O, or the residue of AlCl3.nH2O or Al(NO3)3.mH2O, to form a treated waste product, wherein n is from 0 to 10, and m is from 0 to 12. The treatment amount can be effective to reduce phosphorus solubility in the manure; reduce phosphorus runoff and/or phosphorus leaching from fields fertilized with manure; inhibit ammonia volatilization from the manure; flocculate solids in the manure; reduce pathogens in the manure; increase the nitrogen content in the manure; and/or reduce acid rain and PM-10s associated with the manure.

Abstract: A process for treating waste products discharged in a waste water from an animal operation, such as a swine confinement facility includes a holding tank for receiving waste water from the flushing of the facility in which solids to accumulate at the bottom thereof; wherein as conveyor transfers solids from said bottom at a rate preventing agitation of the waste water, to a compactor for removing additional water content and to a product dryer for converting the solids into a dry product. The product dryer includes a water heating system with water lines connected in a closed loop to the holding tank. The heating system thermal treats the circulating waste water and waste solids to a temperature sufficient to reduce undesired constituents therein. The product dryer is vented to a separator for recovering ammonia contents in the waste material.

Abstract: An atomization system for odor control in a livestock storage facility includes a reservoir capable of holding a sufficient quantity of an odor control product; a pump in communication with the reservoir; a circulation loop running throughout the livestock storage facility and communicating with the pump and the reservoir; and a plurality of atomization nozzles connected with the circulation loop for distribution of the odor control product onto surfaces of the storage facility and the livestock. The odor control product contains a mixture of vegetable oil, a natural acidic compound, alcohol, and water. Advantageously, the acidic compound in the odor control product is vinegar or concentrated citrus juice. A water supply line is also connected to the circulation loop through a water pump to provide a cooling mist throughout the facility.

Abstract: An efficient economical automated animal house is provided to increase the health and longevity of animals, such as poultry, and swine. The automated poultry house provides for automatic removal of contaminated bedding and replacement with fresh or recycled bedding. The automated animal house also greatly reduces concentration of dust and noxious gases to provide for a cleaner and healthier environment for the animals and workers.

Abstract: A combination system for ozonating the air and water provided to an animal confinement house, such as a poultry house, to provide breathing air and drinking water with less viruses, bacteria and contaminants to the growing animals, such as poultry, using an air ozonation system to provide ozonated air to the animal confinement house and a water ozonation system to provide ozonated water to the animal confinement house, preferably utilizing a single ozone reactor to provide ozone to both the air ozonation system and the water ozonation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing emission of ammonia from animal manure and a plant for the method and a used of such a plant. The method comprises adding to the manure of both an acid compound such as sulphuric acid, H2S04, and of oxygen, O2. The acid compound results in the pH value dropping to below 7.0 whereby the emission of ammonia is substantially limited. The oxygen results in a very high activity of bacteria transforming organic nitrogen compounds to in-organic compounds that are possible for plants to assimilate when manure is spread in fields. Surprisingly, it has also should to be the case that the oxygen added, and thus the enhancing of the activity of the bacteria. results in a reduction of the amount of acid compound needed to he added and results in reducing, almost eliminating, the risk of hydrogen sulphide, H2S, being formed.

Abstract: A method for drying slurry, comprising the steps of: providing an air-permeable drying bed with a suitable carrier material, arranging, for instance spraying, on the drying bed the (semi-liquid) slurry, drawing in and/or blowing drying air and guiding this air through the drying bed; removing thus dried (semi-liquid) slurry, shuffling the carrier material at chosen times, measuring quantities of the drying air; measuring quantities of air guided through the drying bed; and arranging the (semi-liquid) slurry, shuffling the carrier material and removing dried (semi-liquid) slurry on the basis of the measured quantities.

Abstract: Horizontal solids recycler to treat waste water comprising refuse solids from hog farms which comprises an intake and loading hopper adapted to establish a uniform curtain of the waste water, a mesh to which an over flow of the waste water is directed, a tumbler cilinder to which is mounted the mesh and which is mounted to a frame which rests on guide wheels, blades mounted within the tumbler cilinder to raise moistured solids, wherein said water of said moistured solids is passed through a mesh, a collecting bin to collect the solids coming from the tumbler cilinder and raised by the blades which comprises a separator to separate the remaining water from the solids, a screw to transport the solids, which is mounted to the collecting bin, a pressing section which comprises a perforated cilinder to which the solids are fed by the screw, a collecting and recycling hopper to which said perforated cilinder is mounted to, and which said collecting and recycling hopper collects and recycles the wastewater to the tu

Abstract: A barn for raising hogs includes walls, a roof, and a floor within the structure for supporting the hogs, the floor being solid such that materials on the floor settle on the floor without passing therethrough and being capable of supporting an animal and the floor including at least one sloped surface and a waste collection area at a lower end of the sloped surface and an animal feeding station adjacent an upper end of the sloped surface. A process is also taught for raising hogs it includes confining hogs on a solid floor, applying compostable, fibrous material to the solid floor, collecting manure-soiled fibrous material from the floor and composting the manure-soiled fibrous material to form a nutrient rich material suitable for use as a compost soil or soil supplement.

Abstract: A solid and liquid separation device includes a housing provided with a heater so that liquid contained in the housing will not freeze. A filter net layer may divide the housing into an upper space and a lower space. A conveying assembly includes a plurality of connecting rods each having a scraper and a brush. The scraper may contact the filter net layer for driving solids, and the brush may remove solids attached on the filter net layer. A squeeze assembly includes a cylinder provided with a threaded rod that may be rotated to output the solids. A liquid spraying assembly includes a water pumping member for delivering water liquid through a conveying pipe to be sprayed toward the filter net layer through a plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: An animal waste management system and method thereof is disclosed. The system is designed for use in high flush waste removal systems, but obviates the need for anaerobic lagoons when coupled to an advanced waste treatment facility. The system uses a continuous recycle loop of the waste slurry to increase the total solids concentration of the waste slurry to a level required by advanced waste treatment facilities. In particular, coarse solids are separated and removed from the recycled waste slurry to prevent clogging of the system. Aeration and pH control of the waste slurry when necessary prevents deterioration of the air quality surrounding the system.

Abstract: A composting structure and process is described for a livestock operation. The structure handles manure and treats it over a continuous 25 to 30 day process to produce compost therefrom. The structure includes a elongate walled area into which manure is piled, aerated and mixed while it is moved toward an output end. The structure is sized to handle 25 to 30 days worth of manure from the livestock operation which it services. The aeration is provided by an in-floor system of tubes arranged in zones so that the amount of air injected in the various zones can be selected.

Abstract: A composting structure and process is described for a livestock operation. The structure handles manure and treats it over a continuous 25 to 30 day process to produce compost therefrom. The structure includes a elongate walled area into which manure is piled, aerated and mixed while it is moved toward an output end. The structure is sized to handle 25 to 30 days worth of manure from the livestock operation which it services. The aeration is provided by an in-floor system of tubes arranged in zones so that the amount of air injected in the various zones can be selected.

Abstract: A barn for raising hogs includes walls, a roof, and a floor within the structure for supporting the hogs, the floor being solid such that materials on the floor settle on the floor without passing therethrough and being capable of supporting an animal and the floor including at least one sloped surface and a waste collection area at a lower end of the sloped surface and an animal feeding station adjacent an upper end of the sloped surface. A process is also taught for raising hogs it includes confining hogs on a solid floor, applying compostable, fibrous material to the solid floor, collecting manure-soiled fibrous material from the floor and composting the manure-soiled fibrous material to form a nutrient rich material suitable for use as a compost soil or soil supplement.

Abstract: Horizontal solids recycler to treat waste water comprising refuse solids from hog farms which comprises an intake and loading hopper adapted to establish a uniform curtain of the waste water, a mesh to which an over flow of the waste water is directed, a tumbler cylinder to which is mounted the mesh and which is mounted to a frame which rests on guide wheels, blades mounted within te tumbler cylinder to raise moistured solids, wherein said waste water of said moistured solids is passed through a mesh, a collecting bin to collect the solids coming from the tumbler cylinder and raised by the blades which comprises a separator to separate the remaining waste water from the solids, a screw to transport the solids, which is mounted to the collecting bin, a pressing section which comprises a perforated cylinder to which the solids are fed by the screw, a collecting and recycling hopper to which said perforated cylinder is mounted to, and which said collecting and recycling hopper collects and recycles the waste wat

Abstract: A method of treating liquid animal manure comprising contacting a manure slurry with a treatment composition comprising a treatment effective amount of AlCl3.nH2O or Al(NO3)3.mH2O, or the residue of AlCl3.nH2O or Al(NO3)3.mH2O, to form a resulting slurry, wherein n is from 0 to 10, and m is from 0 to 12. The treatment effective amount is effective to reduce phosphorus solubility in the manure; reduce phosphorus runoff and/or phosphorus leaching from fields fertilized with manure; inhibit ammonia volatilization from the manure; flocculate solids in the manure; reduce pathogens in the manure; increase the nitrogen content in the manure; and/or reduce acid rain and PM-10s associated with the manure.

Abstract: A system and method for treating farm animal waste, such as hog and poultry waste, to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater treatment pits and thus control smell is disclosed. The farm animals are housed in structures equipped with grated flooring to permit animal waste to fall into pits or reservoirs below. The pits contain water inoculated with a special assemblage of natural microbes to which oxygen is supplied through piping arranged in the pits. These special microbes have an affinity for ammonia and convert much of the animal waste into carbon dioxide, fatty acids, and water. The system also includes a second piping network situated beneath the grated flooring which serves to create a negative air situation by which escaping foul-smelling air is pulled back into the wastewater to permit further action on the VOCs by the microbes in the water.

Abstract: Noxious odors and water pollution commonly associated with the raising of hogs, cattle or poultry under confined conditions are eliminated by replacing the conventional waste lagoon and waste spreading fields with a wastewater treatment plant. The treatment plant extracts manure from the wastewater, then dries and burns the manure along with collected waste gases. The liquid waste portion is filtered, deodorized and then recirculated to the growing buildings as flushwater.

Abstract: The invention is an animal containment device for the transportation, holding, feeding, watering, and caring for of animals. The device is designed to maintain adequate temperature, humidity, ventilation, and sanitary conditions. The device includes a ventilation device which can operate in negative, positive, or atmospheric pressure modes. The device also includes a multi-level waste and by-product removal device. The waste and by-product removal device consists of multiple slotted layers through which liquids and solids will pass. These liquids and solids will be collected on different layers upon which they can be dried and easily removed. This device eliminates odor and contamination within the device. The device allows for special handling, the ability to isolate/quarantine, and the ability to provide easy animal ingress/egress.

Abstract: A shed for animals such as cows, having an overhead rail supported from the shed's roof which supports cleaning apparatus that is capable of being moved throughout the shed to remove manure and other debris from the floor. The cleaning apparatus includes a manure suction device, motor driven rotatable brushes and a connection to cleaning or disinfecting fluid. Containers for cleaning or disinfecting fluid and to receive manure are supported on a platform underlying the rail, the rotatable brushes and manure suction device being supported by articulated robotic arms which are controlled by piston and cylinder units to move transversely relative to the overhead rail and platform. Movement of the cleaning apparatus is guided by detectors and operatively associated controls so that the shed can be selectively cleaned. A suction device extends into the shed for removing manure into a container outside the shed as needed.

Abstract: A system for housing animals in animal husbandry, particularly for raising pigs comprises a separately transportable container (15) manufactured from metal walls (20-24) which is individually supplied with a fan ventilation system (37), a bottom manure container and a feed supply (60). The animals can be transported in the container (15) and maintained in the container (15). The container can be located in rows of the container along a central alleyway (10) through which the animals can be moved and which supplies the necessary facilities. In one use of the system, the animals can be transported to a position adjacent to but spaced from a new location and maintained in quarantine until the possibility of disease is passed. In a further process for the Isowean system of raising pigs, the nursery stage between the farrowing stage and the finisher stage is carried out in the containment vessel thus avoiding additional movement of the animals which is stressful for the animals.

Abstract: Atmospheric conditions and environmental impact of swine rearing facilities re improved by adding alum (aluminum sulfate) in a swine manure processing system. In an embodiment, alum is added to flush water used to flush away manure which has temporarily collected on at least a portion of a floor of the facility, such as in a flushing trough. The flushed manure and water are drained and delivered to a holding pond. Preferably, the flush water is then recycled from the holding pond for subsequent flushing. In another method, alum is added to a manure slurry in a manure collection pit disposed under a slatted floor on which the swine reside. In either method, alum is added in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit ammonia volatilization and to decrease soluble phosphorus present to provide a healthy and environmentally safe swine rearing facility and an improved agricultural fertilizer.

Abstract: A device for separating and dehydrating droppings includes a body having two walls and a bottom which includes a meshed portion and a plain portion connected to one of two ends of the meshed portion. A first shaft and a second shaft are respectively and transversely disposed between the two walls, wherein the first shaft is driven by a first motor. A loop-shaped member is reeved through the first and the second shaft and has a plurality of plates transversely disposed thereto which are moved on an upper surface of the bottom. A hydrating device is disposed to the first end of the body and includes tube with an inlet and an outlet. The tube has a screw member rotatably disposed therein driven by a motor on a first end thereof and has a cap pivotally disposed to a second end thereof. The tube further has a slotted portion defined in an under periphery thereof.

Abstract: Stable (1) comprising a collection chamber (6) with a bottom (7) below a stable grid. The bottom (7) is covered by a bottom plate (9) formed by parallel V-shaped gutters (10). The walls of the gutters (10) form an angle with the horizontal, which is between 45 degees and 80 degees. At the underside the gutters (10) have a radius of 7 to 12 cm. Method for flushing a stable, manure being collected in V-shaped gutters (10), after which the bottom is flushed. The manure is discharged to a storage facility. After a certain settling time the manure has separated into a thick fraction and a thin fraction. The in fraction is drawn off and is used to flush the bottom plate clean. A layer of the thin fraction remains standing on the bottom plate (9), so that the manure is collected therein.

Abstract: An egg laying assembly wherein eggs are laid onto an endless belt, and a roller at one end of the belt effects a reversal in direction of the belt, and a brush is positioned against the belt where it passes under the roller, wherein debris is loosened from the belt and vacuumed from it. The output of the vacuum system has an output into an enclosure which houses egg laying.