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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #240984
Title: Modeling emissions of volatile organic compounds from silage

Author
item Hafner, Sasha
item Montes, Felipe
item Rotz, Clarence - Al

Submitted to: International Silage Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2009
Publication Date: 7/27/2009
Citation: Hafner, S.D., Montes, F., Rotz, C.A. 2009. Modeling emissions of volatile organic compounds from silage. In: Proceedings International Silage Conference, July 27-29, 2009, Madison, WI. 2009 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: Photochemical smog is a major air pollution problem and a significant cause of premature death in the U.S. Smog forms in the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are emitted primarily from industry and motor vehicles in the U.S. However, dairy farms may be an important source in some areas. Reported fluxes of VOCs from silage are much higher than from other sources on dairy farms. The goal of this work was to develop a process-based model of VOC emissions from silage and silage-containing feeds. Ultimately, this model will be used for estimating emissions, directing experimental design, and evaluating mitigation strategies. Model predictions showed that combined convection-diffusion of VOCs is more important than advection for VOC emission from silage. Exposure duration, wind speed, temperature, and silage and VOC characteristics all influence VOC emissions from silage, and measurement approaches should take this into account. The commonly-used emission isolation flux chamber is not suitable for measuring VOC emissions from silage, since emissions are generally convection-limited.