Goal
The goal of the PERMA-Barn Air Optimization Project (PERMA-BAO) is to design, build and test the performance of a barn ventilation system that will deliver a high rate of capture and high concentrations of methane, ammonia and odor to the MEPS pollution treatment system. This will be done without compromising the barn environment negatively, ensuring cow comfort, productivity and normal barn operation. The project seeks to develop scalable, cost-effective pollution control solutions for widespread adoption in the dairy industry through innovative designs, including optimized airflow and passive and active thermal management.
Plan
This project focuses on optimizing barn ventilation to reduce methane emissions while maintaining cow comfort. It includes barn air optimization (WP1) through thermal management and airflow improvements, pollution monitoring (WP2) via low-cost sensors, and pollution eradication (WP3) by enhancing the MEPS system for methane and co-pollutant removal. Additionally, ventilation system optimization (WP4) will refine air circulation for efficiency. A market strategy (WP5) will assess adoption barriers, and communication efforts (WP6) will engage industry stakeholders and farmers to promote implementation.
Expected results
The project will yield a review of cooling methods, barn pollution monitoring data, and an optimized MEPS system for methane and co-pollutant removal. It will produce ventilation system designs that balance methane concentration with energy efficiency. A market strategy report will outline cost-benefit analyses, and dissemination efforts will ensure that findings reach stakeholders, encouraging adoption in the dairy industry.
