Monitoring for various gases inside and outside animal farms is crucial for the health of the animals, the well-being of farm workers, the surrounding community, the environment and ultimately the quality of our food, which affects consumer health. EC Sense provides gas detection solutions tailored for farming environments using its unique solid polymer electrochemical gas sensors, renowned for their compact size, long lifespan, and low power consumption.
Notably, EC Sense has developed the ECtox, a reliable Long Life Ammonia Sensor Device, designed to continuously measure high background concentrations of ammonia gas in the air.
The Importance of Monitoring Gases and Pollutants on Farms: EC Sense’s Contribution to Agricultural Pollution Control and Livestock Management
Agriculture involves a range of activities, including the growth, raising, transportation, processing, and storage of food and nonfood crops. However, these activities can lead to agricultural pollution, which contaminates the environment. This pollution is typically categorized into two main areas: pollution from livestock farming and pollution from crop production, which includes crops for animal feed, human consumption, and biofuel.
As global meat consumption continues to rise, the industry has significantly expanded to meet demand, often prioritizing rapid meat production. For example, chickens are raised for just eight weeks, while pigs on small farms may live up to a year. However, those on industrial farms often live only around 120 days. To maximize profits, industrial farming facilities increase livestock populations, raising the risk of disease outbreaks.
The pollution on these farms is a result of animal respiration and digestion. High humidity levels, worsened by the concentration of animals and the accumulation of waste, further contribute to the problem. For instance, methane is produced during the digestion of green fodder, while toxic gases like ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pose serious risks to animal health at elevated concentrations.
To ensure optimal food cultivation and extend the shelf life of future food supplies, it is crucial to monitor key aspects of air quality, including:
- Temperature and Humidity: Humidities above 70% r.H. and temperatures below 10°C or above 30°C can stress the livestock.
- Odors from Animal Waste: Like humans, animals produce CO2, but in densely populated barns, CO2 levels can become dangerously high, leading to fatigue, weakness, and aggression in animals. In some cases, farmers must resort to adding drugs to animal diets to manage these conditions.
Maintaining good air quality is essential for minimizing these issues.
EC Sense is dedicated to addressing agricultural pollution, with a particular focus on livestock management for pigs, poultry, and cows. Their advanced gas detection solutions help mitigate the environmental impact of industrial farming, promoting healthier conditions for animals and surrounding communities.
Tackling the Risks of Environmental and Health Impacts of Livestock Emissions
Environmental Impact
The livestock industry is a significant source of various harmful emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and ammonia (NH3). Livestock naturally release carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming. The industry is responsible for nearly 64% of total ammonia emissions, contributing to acid rain and the acidification of ecosystems. Additionally, livestock account for 35-40% of global methane emissions, a gas with 23 times the global warming potential of CO2.
Impact on Communities
Communities near industrial agricultural operations often suffer from the effects of odor and gas emissions, which can degrade living conditions and pose significant health risks. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can lead to a decline in public health and may even force residents to relocate.
Animal Health
In pig farming, it is crucial to maintain ammonia concentrations below 10 ppm to ensure animal well-being. Levels above 20 ppm can lead to severe health issues, such as lung infections, heart and circulatory problems, and aggressive behavior. These health risks not only compromise animal welfare but also result in financial losses for farmers due to increased medical costs and reduced productivity. EC Sense offers valuable solutions by helping farmers maintain optimal air quality, thereby promoting healthier livestock and reducing expenses.
Water Pollution
The production of animal products is a leading cause of agricultural water pollution, with growing consumption negatively affecting ecosystems and water resources, especially in developing countries. Water pollution arises from animal waste, antibiotics, hormones, fertilizers, pesticides used in forage production, and runoff from pastures.
EC Sense’s Role
EC Sense provides innovative gas detection solutions designed to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of livestock emissions. By offering reliable monitoring and control of harmful gases, EC Sense helps improve air quality, protect animal health, and reduce pollution, ultimately delivering long-term savings and added value for farmers.
Pollutants: Sources & Impact
| Pollutant | Source | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Methane (CH4) | Animal digestion | Major contributor to global warming, with 23 times the global warming potential of CO2. |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | Animal respiration | Contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. |
| Ammonia (NH3) | Animal waste (long-term exposure to > 20 ppm) | Causes respiratory issues in animals and humans; contributes to acid rain. |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) | Waste decomposition (should not exceed 20 ppm) | Toxic at high concentrations; can cause respiratory and neurological damage. |
| Nitrous Oxide (N2O) | Fertilizers soaking into soil or water | A potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 298 times that of CO2; contributes to ozone depletion. |
| Hydrocarbons (HC) | Animal waste | Contribute to air pollution and can form ground-level ozone, leading to respiratory problems. |
| Sulfur Oxides (SOx) | Exhaust gases | Contribute to acid rain, respiratory problems, and environmental degradation. |
| Temperature & Humidity | High humidity and temperature from overpopulation and waste (Humidity > 85%) | Stress on animals and crops; promotes the growth of harmful microorganisms and decreases the shelf life of stored products. |
| Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) | Emissions from animal waste, feed and cleaning agents | Contribute to poor indoor air quality and can cause respiratory and other health issues. |
| Particulate Matter (PM) | Dust from feed, bedding and animal activity | Causes respiratory problems in animals and humans; can carry pathogens and allergens. |
| Dust | Feed, bedding and animal movement | Contributes to respiratory issues and poor air quality; can also affect machinery and equipment. |
Why use Electrochemical Gas Sensors to measure the Gases and Pollutants in Farming Environments?
EC Sense gas detection with electrochemical gas sensors are preferred due to their high sensitivity, specificity, and ability to operate in challenging environments. They provide real-time monitoring and rapid response, making them indispensable in managing the risks associated with farming.
What gas detection options are available for farming, and how do EC Sense sensors excel?
EC Sense provides Ammonia Gas Sensors, Gas Sensor Modules and Gas Sensor Devices for ranges from 10 ppm up to 500 ppm, as well as products for Hydrogen Sulfide detection.
ES1 & ES4
- Small size
- Long lifetime > 3 years
- No warm-up time required
- No zero line drift
- Fast response time
➔ Solution for detector manufacturers
EC4
- Liquid electrochemical gas sensor
- Detects with high selectivity a wide variety of gases
- Long lifetime > 2 years
- Double sealed housing for advanced leakage protection
- Stable zero return time
- Linear output
- High Sensitivity
- nA power consumption
- Wide operation temperature range of -20°C to +40°C
- RoHS compliant
➔ Solution for detector manufacturers
TB600B&C
- Detects gas, temperature and humidity
- Simple „longer lifetime“ sensormodule
- Wide temperature range of -40 °C to +55 °C
- Low power consumption and sleep mode (suitable for battery and IoT applications)
- Lifetime of up to 12 months
- Digital UART or I2C output
- Cheaper solution
➔ Solution for all target customers
05-Stox-NH3-100-01
- Detects single gas + temperature + humidity
- Intelligent sensor device (CDS10 module with housing)
- With calibration, sensor performance and life-testing output
- Fast signal stability at power-on
- Suitable for indoor & outdoor environments
- Wide temperature range of -40 °C to +55 °C
- Stable zero point without drift
- Strong anti-electromagnetic interference ability
- Anti-poisoning
- Integrated safety protection enables use in potentially explosive environments
- Electronic circuit boards have a dust & corrosion resistant coating
- Outputs: 4-20 mA standard two-wire, RS485 Modbus-RTU (24V DC power supply)
- Mid-price range solution
➔ Solution for system manufacturers and farmers
05-ECtox-NH3-500-01
- Long Lifetime > 5 years in continuously high Ammonia background concentrations
- Detects Single Gas + Temp. + Humidity
- Automatic Scaling from 1 to 500ppm NH3
- Special Device with coulometric working principle
- Smart measuring system: Self-monitoring of the sensor function
- Higher accuracy in detection and stable zero point
- No temperature and humidity influence, poison resistance & strong anti-electromagnetic interference ability
- With pump, no calibration with NH3 needed
- Fully Compensated Digital Output
- Stainless steel housing, water and dust proof, anti-corrosion
- RS485 output, 5-12V DC power
- RoHS compliant
- High price and high-quality solution
➔ Solution for system manufacturers and farmers
| Product | Part Number | Output | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES1 & ES4 | 01-ES1-NH3-10-01 01-ES1-NH3-100-01 01-ES1-H2S-10-01 01-ES1-H2S-100-01 | Analog | Solid Polymer Electrochemical Gas Sensor |
| EC4 | 01-EC4-NH3-100-01 01-EC4-NH3-500-01 | Analog | Liquid Electrochemical Gas Sensor |
| TB600B&C | 04-TB600B-NH3-10-01 04-TB600C-NH3-100-01 04-TB600B-H2S-2-01 04-TB600B-H2S-10-01 | UART / I2C | Gas Sensor Module |
| TB200B | 04-TB200B-NH3-10-01 04-TB200B-NH3-100-01 | UART Modbus | Gas Sensor Module, can fit the EC4 Gas Sensor |
| DGM10 | 04-DGM10-NH3-10-01 04-DGM10-NH3-100-01 04-DGM10-H2S-2-01 04-DGM10-H2S-10-01 | UART / I2C / SPI | Dual Gas Sensor: Combine two gases on one PCB |
| TB420 | 04-TB420-NH3-10-01 04-TB420-NH3-100-01 | 4-20 mA, two-wire | Analog Gas Sensor Module |
| CDS10 | 04-CDS10-NH3-10-01 04-CDS10-NH3-100-01 | RS485 / 4-20 mA, two-wire | Smart Gas Sensor Module |
| Stox | 05-Stox-NH3-100-01 | RS485 / 4-20 mA, two-wire | Smart Gas Sensor Device |
| ECtox | 05-ECtox-NH3-500-01 | RS485 | Long-Life Ammonia Device |
EC Sense Products are typically used in the following applications:
- Livestock Emission Monitoring
- Farming Produce Storage
- Waste Decomposition Monitoring
- Biofuel Plants
Which Technology makes EC Sense Gas Sensors special?
The EC Sense solid polymer electrochemical technology is a revolutionary innovation in the field of electrochemical detection. This technology is based on the principle of electrochemical catalytic reaction, detecting the output signals of the electrochemical reactions of different gases and accurately measuring the gas concentration through the signal. The sensor is composed of three electrodes in contact with the electrolyte. A typical electrode consists of a large surface area of noble metal and other materials. The electrode, electrolyte and the surrounding air are in contact and the gas diffuses into the working electrode. Here the gas will be oxidized, this causes a current, which is proportional to the gas concentration.