The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

INTRODUCTION Background of the Study: Chicken broiler and egg production are the most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today. The poultry industry in fact began as a backyard enterprise but has shifted to the formation of very large integrated contract farming operations. The growth of the poultry industry in the Philippines has indeed been impressive but its problems including inefficient management and the prevalence of many destructive poultry diseases and parasites cannot be ignored. Coupled with the development of this industry is the stinky odor coming from chicken houses which is a cause of concern to the environment. The naturally occurring moisture in chicken waste is what causes it to produce ammonia and that stench that neighbors of poultry farms know well. The chickens excrete waste onto the bedding, which gets wet from the excrement. The nitrogen in the waste becomes ammonia, which poultry growers try to alleviate through electric-powered ventilation. Too much ammonia gas in a chicken house can damage the broilers respiratory tracts or cause blindness. Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral having a unique adsorptive characteristic that can remove the moisture in chicken excreta and reduce the pungent odor of ammonia.
A.

Statement of the Problem/Objectives : In large chicken poultry houses, the semi fluid droppings emit offensive odor which is very discomforting not only to the poultry workers but also to the neighborhood as well. Moreover, this offensive odor affects greatly the chicken themselves. It has been found that chickens suffering from respiratory diseases caused by noxious fumes of

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from the droppings produce lower number of eggs. This investigatory project is aimed at the following objectives:
1. 2.

Reducing malodor of chicken excrement. Lessening the moisture content in the chicken excreta for easy handling

B.

Significance of the Study The importance of this research paper is to help the poultry industry through the use of zeolite as an aid in drying and reducing the odor of chicken excreta. This will help neighborhoods who are suffering from the malodor coming from the poultry industry resulting to an improvement of the overall environment in the locality.

C.

Scope and Limitations: This study is limited to the possible effects of zeolite to the reduction in the malodor of chicken excreta. It was conducted at the Manaoag National High School from June to August of School Year 2009-2010. The procedures for the physical and chemical analysis was conducted in the laboratory of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional Office No. l located at Barangay Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union through the assistance of Ms. Melba Serioza, Laboratory Technician, Ms. Helen Carbonel, Chemist and Mr. Efren Penaflor, the Chief Geologist.

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

D.

Review of Related Literature: Zeolites are those minerals which form a family of well-defined crystalline and naturally occurring hydrated aluminisilicates of group IA and group IIA such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. They are complex crystalline inorganic polymers having three-dimensional structures which serve as framework of AIO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra linked to each other by sharing of oxygen ions. This structure makes it easy for the development of channels or interconnected cavities which are eventually occupied by the cations and water molecules. The cations oftentimes exhibit high degree of mobility which subsequently permits ion exchange. Likewise, the water occupying the interconnected voids differs from water present in other minerals other than zeolite groups. When the zeolites are heated, the water present in the pores can easily be given off but when exposed to atmosphere the water lost can easily be regained. Although optical characters gradually change during dehydration, their atomic structures remain unaltered unless complete dehydration takes place. Previously they were called hydrous feldspars but now because of their unique capability to selectively filter various sizes of molecules, they are now commonly known as molecular sieves. Unlike feldspars, zeolites do not form a single group of species which are related to crystallization but with a number of independent groups of related minerals having widely diverse crystallographic systems (Barrer, R.M. 1978). The Natural Zeolites and their Occurrence

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

Zeolites were first recognized by a Swedish mineralogist Barion Axel Frederick Cronstedt in 1756 as new mineral species. He called the new species as zeolite (from the two Greek root words which means boiling stones) because of its intumescence, the visible loss of water noted when the rocks are heated. Although zeolites are made up of silicate materials, their hardness does not actually correspond to them. Their hardness ranges from 3.5 to 5.5. Most of the member of the zeolite family rarely exceeds the hardness of 5. Because their voids are filled with water, their specific gravity becomes lower which ranges from 2.0 to 2.4 (Gottardi and E. Galli. 1985). Today, there are 40 natural zeolites recognized worldwide but only nine occur commonly (Stinson, M.C. 1988). According to Stinson (1988) based upon their mode of occurrences, mineralogical composition and geological origin, zeolite deposits in sedimentary rocks may be grouped into six types: 1. Deposits formed from volcanic material in closed systems of ancient lakes and present day saline lakes. 2. Deposits formed from volcanic material in open systems of freshwater lakes or groundwater systems.

3. Deposits formed from volcanic material in near-shore or deep sea marine environments. 4. Deposits formed by low-grade burial metamorphism of volcanic and other material in thick sedimentary sequences.

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

5. Deposits formed by hydrothermal or hot spring activity.

6. Deposits formed in lacustrine or marine environments without direct evidence

of volcanic precursor material.

Adsorption The most fundamental consideration regarding the adsorption of chemical species by zeolites is molecular sieving. Species with a kinetic diameter which makes them too large to pass through a zeolite pore are effectively "sieved." This "sieve" effect can be utilized to produce sharp separations of molecules by size and shape (Dyer, A. 1988). The particular affinity a species has for an internal zeolite cavity depends on electronic considerations. The strong electrostatic field within a zeolite cavity results in very strong interaction with polar molecules such as water. Non-polar molecules are also strongly adsorbed due to the polarizing power of these electric fields. Thus, excellent separations can be achieved by zeolites even when no steric hindrance occurs. Adsorption based on molecular sieving, electrostatic fields, and polarizability are always reversible in theory and usually reversible in practice. This allows the zeolite to be reused many times, cycling between adsorption and desorption. This accounts for the considerable economic value of zeolite in adsorptive applications (Breck, D.W. 1974). Ammonia in Chicken Poultry The detrimental effects of ammonia in poultry production have been known for years. Numerous laboratory and field studies have shown how ammonia levels as low as

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

10 parts per million (ppm) affect bird health and performance. Ammonia levels above 25 ppm in the poultry house can damage the bird's respiratory system and allow infectious agents to become established, leading to declining flock health and performance. E. coli bacteria can be significantly increased in the lungs, air sacs, and livers of birds exposed to ammonia because of damage that occurs to the tracheal cilia. Resistance to respiratory disease may be decreased. In addition, body weight, feed-efficiency, and condemnation rate may be higher in birds exposed to levels of ammonia exceeding 10 ppm. The volatilization of ammonia has been attributed to microbial decomposition of nitrogenous compounds, principally uric acid, in poultry house litter. Litter pH plays an important role in ammonia volatilization. Once formed, the free ammonia will be in one of two forms: as the uncharged form of NH(3) (ammonia) or the ammonium ion (NH(4)), depending on the pH of the litter. Ammonia concentration tends to increase with increasing pH. Ammonia release remains low when litter pH is below 7, but can be substantial when litter pH is above 8. Uric acid decomposition is most favored under alkaline (pH>7) conditions. Uricase, the enzyme that catalyzes uric acid breakdown, has maximum activity at a pH of 9. As a result, uric acid breakdown decreases linearly for more acid or alkaline pH values. One principal ureolytic bacterium, Bacillus pasteurii, cannot grow at neutral pH, but thrives in litter above pH 8.5. Typically, litter pH in a broiler house ranges between 9 and 10 (http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1199/).

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

The table below describes the effects of different levels of ammonia on poultry. 10 ppm 25 ppm 50 ppm 100 ppm Over several weeks the respiratory tract of turkeys will receive some damage and interfere with the birds' ability to clear bacteria from their lungs. Damage to the lungs and airsacs starts to appear in 48 hours. Bacteria and viruses causing fowl cholera, infectious bronchitis and colisepticemia can more easily invade the lungs and airsacs. Significant lung and airsac damage in as little as 1-2 weeks. Eggs numbers will decline in a month or less. In 10 weeks or less, the sexual maturity of pullets will be delayed and egg numbers will be reduced once egg production begins. Feed intake and body weight will decline significantly over the course of a month. Decreased shell thickness and egg size. Some mortality may occur

(http:// www.gov.mb.ca / agriculture / livestock / poultry / bba01s25.html)

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

METHODOLOGY Experimental Design Diagram

Gathering of Materials, Equipment and Research Subject

Testing and Analysis of the Product

Formulating the Tables of Results and Finalizing the Statistical Analysis

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

Explanation and Discussion

Formulating the Conclusion

A. Materials/Equipment The materials used in the preparation of the product are nine (9) empty recycled carton containers, chicken manure, ash, clear plastic as liner for the manure, weighing scale, thermometer and powdered zeolite. A laboratory beaker, pycnometer, stirring rod, watch glass, bunsen burner and rubber policeman were used in the determination of the specific gravity of zeolite.

B. Treatment/General Procedure Preparation of the Product Collect nine (9) empty recycled carton containers and put clear plastic at the bottom of the carton containers to serve as liner. Distribute chicken manure with the same

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

weight in each box. After that, put powdered zeolite in the first 3 boxes and ash in the second 3 boxes. Observe the appearance of the manure in each container carefully. Take and record the temperature, weight and observe appearance as to dryness every twelve (12) hours for five consecutive times. Absolute Specific Gravity Weigh 5.0 gram sample of zeolite powder into a 250ml beaker. Fill up the beaker with 100ml of distilled water. Boil the solution and evaporate for 30 minutes. Cool completely. Weigh an empty dried pycnometer. After weighing, fill up the empty pycnometer with distilled water and weigh again. Remove the water from the pycnometer and transfer the boiled, cooled zeolite powder into the pycnometer. Using a rubber policeman, rub the sides of the beaker to ensure transfer off all precipitates. Lastly, fill up completely the pycnometer with distilled water and weigh. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We compared the three sets of containers, namely: manure with zeolite, manure with ash and manure only to find out if what is the most effective and easy way to remove moisture from the chicken excreta. A. Findings The tables below represent the comparison between the three categories: manure with zeolite, manure with ash and manure only. We observed the comparison every twelve hours based on the parameters below:

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

Weight of manure Weight of zeolite Weight of Ash Manure with zeolite Manure with ash

80 grams 30 grams 30 grams 110 grams 110 grams

Table No. 1

Sample Manure with zeolite Manure with ash Manure Only

Twelve Hours Temperature Weight Appearance 37C 99 grams Wet 37C 96 grams Wet 37C 68 grams Wet

1st

Odor Strong Strong Intense

After the first twelve hours, we observed that the weights of all the products were reduced. The temperature and appearance remains the same. observed to be strong. Table No. 2 2nd Twelve Hours Temperature Weight Appearance 37C 94 grams Lumpy 37C 96 grams Soily and wet 37C 68 grams Wet Odor of both samples is

Sample Manure with zeolite Manure with ash Manure Only

Odor Medium Strong Intense

After 24 hours we observed that the temperature is still the same. The weight of the pure manure and the one with ash is the same as with the first 12 hours while the one added with

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

zeolite was reduced by about 5 grams and appears lumpy. Odor for sample with zeolite had been reduced to medium while that of manure with ash still strong. Table No. 3 3rd Twelve Hours Temperature Weight Appearance 37C 85 grams Lumpy and slightly dry 37C 90 grams Slightly dry 37C 67 grams Wet

Sample Manure with zeolite Manure with ash Manure Only

Odor With presence Medium Intense

After 36 hours we observe that there is still no change in temperature. However, the weight of the manure with zeolite was reduced dramatically and now appears dry. The plain manure remains wet. Presence of odor for sample with zeolite now barely noted. Table No. 4 4th Twelve Hours Temperature Weight Appearance 37C 83 grams Lumpy and dry 37C 85 grams Slightly dry 37C 67 grams Slightly dry

Sample Manure with zeolite Manure with ash Manure Only

Odor Slight With presence Intense

At this stage, temperatures are still the same. But their weights were observed to have been reduced gradually in the manure with ash as compared to the manure with zeolite. The plain manure now appeared slightly dry. Slight odor now observed for sample with zeolite. Table No. 5 5th Twelve Hours Temperature Weight Appearance 38C 77 grams Lumpy and very dry 38C 85 grams Dry

Sample Manure with zeolite Manure with ash

Odor Trace With presence

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

Manure Only

38C

65 grams

Dry

Strong

At the final stage after 60 hours, their temperatures increased because of the absence of moisture/water content. Manure with zeolite decreases in weight significantly because zeolite absorbs faster than the ash and the appearance becomes very dry. Odor for sample with zeolite already observed as trace. Based on our observation, the addition of zeolite is the most effective way in adsorbing the moisture and odor from the chicken excreta. In terms of weight reduction and appearance, the manure with zeolite experienced the greatest reduction and dryness.

B.

Statistical Analysis

Correlation between the Weights of Manure to Time of Drying Manure with Zeolite Initial Final Loss of Weight Weight Weight
110 grams 110 grams 110 grams 110 grams 110 grams 99 grams 94 grams 85 grams 83 grams 77 grams 11 grams 16 grams 25 grams 27 grams 33 grams

Drying Time 12 hours 24 hours 36 hours 48 hours 60 hours

% Loss 10% 15% 23% 25% 30%

Initial Weight
110 grams 110 grams 110 grams 110 grams 110 grams

Manure with Ash Final Loss of Weight Weight

96 grams 96 grams 90 grams 85 grams 85 grams 13 grams 13 grams 18 grams 23 grams 23 grams

% Loss 13 % 13% 18% 23% 23%

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
ho u 24 rs ho u 36 rs ho u 48 rs ho ur 60 s ho ur s

Manure with Zeolite Manure with Ash

Graph showing the Comparison between the Weight of Manure and the Drying Time

The graph above shows that the manure with zeolite has dried faster than the manure with ash. From the same initial weight of 110 grams, the weight of both specimens lessened gradually as the hours passed with the manure with zeolite having the greatest loss in weight of 33 grams representing a 30% decrease in the weight of the original sample.

Comparison between the Degree of Pungent Odor and Drying Time

12

Odor Drying Time 12 hours 24 hours 36 hours 48 hours 60 hours Manure with Zeolite Strong Medium With presence Slight Trace Manure with Ash Strong Strong Medium With presence With presence

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

6 5 4 3 2 1 0
12 ho ur 24 s ho ur s 36 ho u 48 r ho ur 60 s ho ur s

Manure with Z eolite Manure with Ash

Possible Trace Slight With Presence Medium Strong Intense

Graph showing the Comparison between the Odor and the Drying Time

The graph above shows that the pungent odor of ammonia decreases dramatically from strong to trace on the sample treated with zeolite as compared to the sample treated with ash.

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

C.

Chemical and Physical Analysis Chemical Analysis of Powdered Zeolite Used: PARAMETER Silica (SiO2) Alumina(AL2O3) Iron(Fe2O3) Magnesia(MgO) Calcium oxide(CaO) Water Moisture(H2O) Loss of Ignition(LOI) Specific gravity PERCENTAGE 79.25% 0.96% 2.24% 2.31% 1.79% 4.04% 9.41%

Average Chemical Composition of Zeolite: PARAMETER Silica (SiO2) Aluminum Oxide (AL2O3) Titanium Dioxide(Tio2) Iron(Fe2O3) Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Calcium Oxide(CaO) Sodium Oxide(Na2O) Potassium Oxide(K2O) Water (H2O at 350C) Porosity Absorption capacity Exchange capacity PERCENTAGE 70.00% 12.00% 0.2 % 1.00% 0.80% 3.00% 1.0 % 2.5 % 3% 30 - 40 % 15 - 20 % 1.3 mol kg-1

Physical Properties of Zeolite:

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

PROPERTY Crystal voltages and channels Variable pore size Ion exchange Salt occlusion Framework

CATALYRIC FUNCTIONALITY Extensive internal surface to encourage catalytic process Creates both reactant and product selectivity via molecular sieving Cations control pore size, create high potential energy fields within viodage and enable distribution of catalytically active metals on the zeolite substrate Controls pore size; provides another method of metal incorporation and can improve thermal stability and poisoning resistance Varies lattice charge (by synthesis or modification) to enhance active site modification production and thermal stability

CONCLUSION

Zeolite is a natural mineral that has a unique characteristic in absorbing the moisture and pungent odor of ammonia in chicken manure. Moreover, it can also change the appearance and can hasten the dryness of the manure.

By mixing powdered zeolite with the chicken manure, the offensive odor is effectively removed. Zeolite makes the manure dry quickly too. Manure treatments by zeolites have the following positive effects:

Reduction and/or removal of the pungent odor of the chicken excrement. Effective and efficient drying of the excreta.

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

RECOMMENDATIONS Further study on the following effects of the mineral zeolite is recommended:

Zeolite is used today as component in detergent to replace the polyphosphates which had been proven harmful environmental effects. Moreover, it can also absorb particles of dirt and can remove the stains from fabrics.

Soils are usually poor in plant nutrients due to high rainfall and warm temperatures which can make the soil highly weathered and acidic. The addition of zeolite into the soil improves not only the moisture but also helps control pH. Zeolites have the ability to retain potassium and nitrogen in the soil.

Diets of pigs trace amount of copper and zinc. Copper promotes weight gain but at the same time toxic in itself. Through ion exchange property of zeolite, the undesirable metals are trapped and thereby prevented from entering the food chain.

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

The capability of zeolite in adsorbing ammonium ions makes them very useful in aquaculture. Normal activity of fish and shrimp or prawns as feeding produces ammonia which contaminates water.

Zeolite can also udse as animal feed supplements. It will result in the decrease in the volume and cost of their feeds. Poultry treated with zeolite produces stronger eggshells. Moreover, the addition of zeolite on the animal rations appeared to lower the death rate and incidence of sickness of the animals.

Zeolite is used as caking-proof powders for fertilizers. They are used in powder form to cover the granular fertilizers. This prevents the fertilizers from adhering to one another.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/poultry/bba01s25.html http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1199/ http://www.zeolit.sk/zeoliten.htm Barrer, R.M. 1978. Zeolites and Clay Minerals as Adsorbents and Molecular Sieves, Academic Press, London.

Breck, D.W. 1974. Zeolite Molecular Sieves, Wiley, New York. Dyer, A. 1988. An Introduction to Zeolite Molecular Sieves. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., U.K. pp. 1-143

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Gottardi and E. Galli. 1985. Natural Zeolities, Springer Verlag, berlin. Stinson, M.C. 1988. Zeolities. California, Bulletin 208 Mumpton, F.A. 1977. (Ed.) Mineralogy and Geology of Natural Zeolites. Mineralogical Society of America, Short Course Notes. Vol. 4.

Eds. L.B. Sand and Mumpton, F.A. 1978. Natural Zeolites: Occurrence, Properties and Use. Pergamon Press, Oxford.

APPENDIX A. Product Making

e rocks

Zeolit Weighing of 80g manure

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

Powdering the zeolite

Weighing the zeolite sample

Manure collection

Manure with zeolite

ash

Manure with The control set up

B. Absolute Specific Gravity

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The Adsorptive Potential of Zeolite in Excrement Treatment and Odor Control in Poultry

Equipment used in getting the Sp. Gr.

Weighing the 5g zeolite sample

Mixing zeolite sample with water

Boiling the solution.

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