Catalysts (Oct 2021)
Mitigation of Particulate Matter and Airborne Pathogens in Swine Barn Emissions with Filtration and UV-A Photocatalysis
Abstract
This study evaluated the use of filtration and UV-A photocatalysis for the reduction of particulate matter (PM) and airborne bacterial pathogens in swine barns. Two MERV filters (8 and 15) were used to mitigate PM concentrations measured at the PM 1, PM 2.5, respirable PM, and PM 10 ranges. Filtration was also used to generate different levels of airborne pathogens to be treated by UV-A. Results show that MERV 8 and 15 filters effectively reduced PM concentrations (96–98%) in air exhausted from a swine barn (p ranged from p-values that did not meet the usual statistical cut-off of p < 0.02) in the concentration of viable airborne bacteria was shown for all PM below the 10 micron range.
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