The Ozmotics Insider

Animal Feed Operations (AFO) are areas where large clusters of livestock inhabit small confined areas.

Unlike traditional livestock management operations where livestock is scattered over larger areas (i.e. grazing pastures, fields, or on rangeland), AFO operations typically require food to be brought in to a small land area where the majority of animals are confined and raised.

While bringing many benefits (i.e. smaller land areas can support larger livestock operations) Animal Feed Operations (AFO) introduce some new and unique challenges that are not typically present in the traditional grazing or scattered livestock management model.

Animal Feed Operations (AFO) – Challenges:

Increased density of livestock confined within smaller land areas will result in increased organic waste (feces, manure, etc) production. In typical grazing style livestock management operations, the surrounding land is able to absorb and biodegrade the produced organic waste. AFO however, will typically require that waste collection, disposal and management be implemented since the land will be over saturated and unable to absorb and biologically decompose all the waste produced.Additionally, animal feed operations typically require that the livestock food be brought in and animals be fed on-site.While feedlot management and delivery can eliminate the amount of food that is wasted before being consumed by the livestock, eventually some food will end up being mixed with manure therefore raising the quantities of waste produced.

Odors:

Increased density of livestock will result in the increased waste production. Increased waste (manure) production within small confined areas will mean that elevation of the unpleasant odors associated with the manure produced (bacterial and microbial transformation of the partially digested and non-digestible biological matter, etc.).

Mismanaged animal food that was not consumed (spilled food) is being removed with the manure and is an additional source of nutrients for the biological organisms feeding off it. The food decomposition process combined with the unpleasant odor of the manure and slurry (caused by odorous indolics microbial metabolites, etc.) will make the AFO a very unpleasant environment that may be considered a strong nuisance by the neighboring establishments. AFO odors are considered as a specific category of air pollution.

Biohazard Risks Associated With AFO:

Manure and slurry created by AFO is an ideal breeding stage and an accelerant for bacterial, fungal and viral growth. The water leaching into the ground or the runoff water exiting to the surrounding watershed can contain dangerous levels of microbiological organisms dangerous to both humans and animals. Contamination of drinking water wells and other clean water holding areas is a considerable factor in AFO. Also algae growth within still water bodies surrounding the animal feed operation is also a well documented issue.

The following is a short-list of bacteria and the associated illnesses each is responsible for. Many are found to thrive well or at least benefit from the nutrient rich environments found in manure and slurry produced within typical animal feed operations.

Bacteria

- Escherichia coli (enterotoxigenic) – Causes Gastroenteritis
• - Leptospira (spp.) – Causes Leptospirosis
• - Salmonella typhi – Causes Typhoid fever
• - Salmonella (≈2,100 serotypes) – Causes Salmonellosis
• - Shigella (4 spp.) – Causes Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery).
• - Vibrio cholerae - Causes Cholera
Protozoa
• - Balantidium coli - Causes Balantidiasis
• - Cryptosporidium parvum – Causes Cryptosporidiosis
• - Entamoeba histolytica – Causes Amebiasis (amoebic dysentery)
• - Giardia lamblia – Causes Giardiasis
Helminths
• - Ascaris lumbricoides – Causes Ascariasis
• - T. solium - Causes Taeniasis
• - Trichuris trichiura – Causes Trichuriasis
Viruses
Enteroviruses (72 types, e.g., polio, echo, and coxsackie virus) – Cause Gastroenteritis, heart anomalies, meningitis.
• - Hepatitis A virus – Cause Infectious hepatitis
• - Norwalk agent – Cause Gastroenteritis
• - Rotavirus – Cause Gastroenteritis

Source: National Small Flow Clearinghouse

Disease and Contamination Propagation Management

Insects such as flies (house fly or Musca domestica) can carry the disease borne microbiological organisms further away from manure and slurry pits and AFO operations.

Flies, mosquitoes and other insects can also cross-contaminate the food meant for human and animal consumption. If such food is exported from an APO facility (i.e. food or milk produced on the farm and taken away to the store or market where it’s being sold to consumers), serious illness or disease outbreaks can result.

The abundance of food will also serve as an attractant to other animals such as rodents (mice, rats, etc.) that are known to potentially be able to carry disease and infection much further than flies and bugs. Birds and other animals can also become disease carriers and because those animals can travel even further as well as pass the disease to other animals they come in contact with, the potential danger of disease spread from mismanaged AFO operation is a clear and serious concern.

Use of Ozone to Control Microbiological Growth

There are many benefits that ozone can bring to an AFO (Animal Feed Operation).
Ozone is a strong oxidant and will react with most organic compounds present in manure and slurry. Therefore ozone will accelerate the decomposition process and help better manage the waste produced by typical AFO.

Ozone is also known to be effective in incapacitating the majority of microbiological organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.). It is widely believed that ozone kills viruses, bacteria and other microbiological organisms by attacking the inner membrane wall of the microbiological organism’s cellular structure.

The effectiveness of ozone to destroy bacteria, viruses and other microbiological organisms has been tested and the results published in several scientific papers and other journals. The following is a summary of results published to date:<.p>

• - E. coli – Destroyed with 0.02 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Poliovirus 1 – Destroyed with 0.1-0.2 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Rotavirus  – Destroyed with 0.006-0.06 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia lamblia cysts  – Destroyed 0.5-0.6 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia muris cysts – - Destroyed 1.8-2.0 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7

Ozone is very helpful in reducing odorous phenolics, microbial metabolites (e.g., phenol, p-cresol and p-ethylphenol), odorous indolics, and microbial metabolites (e.g., 3-methylindole and indole) therefore helping greatly in managing odor and air pollution created by an animal feed operation. Therefore the air pollution typically associated with animal feed operations can be eliminated or minimized to more tolerable or acceptable levels.

Ozone for Watershed Management

Increased concentration of organic waste in runoff waters originating from an AFO will result in increased algae growth in lagoons and lakes neighboring the AFO establishment. Ozone can be effectively used to control algae growth in lagoons and ponds. Ozone will eliminate the algae growth by destroying the present algae within the water body as well as oxidizing the biological waste (such as sulphur, phosphor and nitrogen) that serve as an accelerant to algae growth (food source for algae).

Effectiveness of Ozone in Managing Insect Infestations:

The study by Masten et. al (Toxicity of Ozonated Animal Manure to the House Fly, Musca domestica, J. ENVIRON. QUAL., VOL. 30, SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2001), concluded that ozonated slurry is very toxic to house flies.), resulting in a mortality rate of between 9.4% in sheep manure to close to 100% in swine manure.  Ozonated slurry can help in management of the airborne insects within the animal feed operation.

The reduction of insects that can become a potential disease carrier, will decrease danger of disease spreading as well as decrease risks of food cross contamination by disease carrying insects.

Use of Ozone as a Food Preserving Agent:

Ozone can be effectively used to preserve both animal food as well as food destined for human consumption. Ozone can be implemented to stop rotting and mold growth inside a feedlot silos as well as to decontaminate and preserve the human food (destroy any bacterial and viral growth on meat, vegetables and processed food as well as ensure that the food is kept sterile afterward). Ozone can also be used in sanitizing work surface areas (food processing, handling and storage areas) as well as livestock habitation areas (places where livestock is kept).

Ozone in AFO Operations – Conclusion:

The benefits of ozone in animal feed operations management are many. Ozone can be used in many areas such as pollution management, disease prevention, food sanitation, environmental remediation and more.

Ozone leaves no harmful by products and is environmentally safe to use (any unused ozone will degrade back into more stable oxygen form shortly after being generated). Ozonated water can be safely re-used or discharged directly to the environment (will not leave any harmful residues).

Ozone technology can be made very portable. Ozone is generated on-site therefore eliminating the need to transport, store and manage it (as the case is with chlorine and other chemicals).

Ozone can be generated from ambient air and the only requirement is that an adequate electrical power source is available. Smaller ozone generator and treatment skids can be designed to be powered by portable electric generators therefore making them very portable and able to be used in more than one physical location and for more than one application.

Aside from the initial investment to purchase and deploy an ozone treatment solution, ozone generators carry much lower overhead than conventional competing solutions (only require a typical maintenance to ensure the equipment will continue functioning properly).

The quality of the equipment installed does matter however. While ozone technology has become more affordable the selection of quality engineered and tested components, is important.
Experience is also a key factor in effectiveness of ozone use in AFO applications. Knowing how much ozone you may require as well as where and how to best use the ozone is a complex process.

In the majority of cases the complexity of factors present will make it very difficult to precisely determine the concentration and quantity of ozone required. In such cases a pre-deployment pilot study may be required. Gathering feedback about parameters and factors affecting the effectiveness of the ozone treatment will make the full implementation of the ozonation technology more effective as well as reduce overall operating costs by sizing the ozone injection skid properly.

If you require additional help and assistance in selecting a unit, please contact an Ozmotics representative at 1-877-386-3763 for a complimentary consultation and review of your application’s requirements.

Disease and Contamination Propagation Management

Insects such as flies (house fly or Musca domestica) can carry the disease borne microbiological organisms further away from manure and slurry pits and AFO operations.

Flies, mosquitoes and other insects can also cross-contaminate the food meant for human and animal consumption. If such food is exported from an APO facility (i.e. food or milk produced on the farm and taken away to the store or market where it’s being sold to consumers), serious illness or disease outbreaks can result.

The abundance of food will also serve as an attractant to other animals such as rodents (mice, rats, etc.) that are known to potentially be able to carry disease and infection much further than flies and bugs. Birds and other animals can also become disease carriers and because those animals can travel even further as well as pass the disease to other animals they come in contact with, the potential danger of disease spread from mismanaged AFO operation is a clear and serious concern.

Use of Ozone to Control Microbiological Growth

There are many benefits that ozone can bring to an AFO (Animal Feed Operation).
Ozone is a strong oxidant and will react with most organic compounds present in manure and slurry. Therefore ozone will accelerate the decomposition process and help better manage the waste produced by typical AFO.

Ozone is also known to be effective in incapacitating the majority of microbiological organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.). It is widely believed that ozone kills viruses, bacteria and other microbiological organisms by attacking the inner membrane wall of the microbiological organism’s cellular structure.

The effectiveness of ozone to destroy bacteria, viruses and other microbiological organisms has been tested and the results published in several scientific papers and other journals. The following is a summary of results published to date:

• - E. coli – Destroyed with 0.02 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Poliovirus 1 – Destroyed with 0.1-0.2 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Rotavirus  – Destroyed with 0.006-0.06 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia lamblia cysts  – Destroyed 0.5-0.6 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia muris cysts – - Destroyed 1.8-2.0 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7

Ozone is very helpful in reducing odorous phenolics, microbial metabolites (e.g., phenol, p-cresol and p-ethylphenol), odorous indolics, and microbial metabolites (e.g., 3-methylindole and indole) therefore helping greatly in managing odor and air pollution created by an animal feed operation. Therefore the air pollution typically associated with animal feed operations can be eliminated or minimized to more tolerable or acceptable levels.

Ozone for Watershed Management

Increased concentration of organic waste in runoff waters originating from an AFO will result in increased algae growth in lagoons and lakes neighboring the AFO establishment. Ozone can be effectively used to control algae growth in lagoons and ponds. Ozone will eliminate the algae growth by destroying the present algae within the water body as well as oxidizing the biological waste (such as sulphur, phosphor and nitrogen) that serve as an accelerant to algae growth (food source for algae).

Effectiveness of Ozone in Managing Insect Infestations:

The study by Masten et. al (Toxicity of Ozonated Animal Manure to the House Fly, Musca domestica, J. ENVIRON. QUAL., VOL. 30, SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2001), concluded that ozonated slurry is very toxic to house flies.), resulting in a mortality rate of between 9.4% in sheep manure to close to 100% in swine manure.  Ozonated slurry can help in management of the airborne insects within the animal feed operation.

The reduction of insects that can become a potential disease carrier, will decrease danger of disease spreading as well as decrease risks of food cross contamination by disease carrying insects.

Use of Ozone as a Food Preserving Agent:

Ozone can be effectively used to preserve both animal food as well as food destined for human consumption. Ozone can be implemented to stop rotting and mold growth inside a feedlot silos as well as to decontaminate and preserve the human food (destroy any bacterial and viral growth on meat, vegetables and processed food as well as ensure that the food is kept sterile afterward). Ozone can also be used in sanitizing work surface areas (food processing, handling and storage areas) as well as livestock habitation areas (places where livestock is kept).

Ozone in AFO Operations – Conclusion:

The benefits of ozone in animal feed operations management are many. Ozone can be used in many areas such as pollution management, disease prevention, food sanitation, environmental remediation and more.

Ozone leaves no harmful by products and is environmentally safe to use (any unused ozone will degrade back into more stable oxygen form shortly after being generated). Ozonated water can be safely re-used or discharged directly to the environment (will not leave any harmful residues).

Ozone technology can be made very portable. Ozone is generated on-site therefore eliminating the need to transport, store and manage it (as the case is with chlorine and other chemicals).

Ozone can be generated from ambient air and the only requirement is that an adequate electrical power source is available. Smaller ozone generator and treatment skids can be designed to be powered by portable electric generators therefore making them very portable and able to be used in more than one physical location and for more than one application.

Aside from the initial investment to purchase and deploy an ozone treatment solution, ozone generators carry much lower overhead than conventional competing solutions (only require a typical maintenance to ensure the equipment will continue functioning properly).

The quality of the equipment installed does matter however. While ozone technology has become more affordable the selection of quality engineered and tested components, is important.
Experience is also a key factor in effectiveness of ozone use in AFO applications. Knowing how much ozone you may require as well as where and how to best use the ozone is a complex process.

In the majority of cases the complexity of factors present will make it very difficult to precisely determine the concentration and quantity of ozone required. In such cases a pre-deployment pilot study may be required. Gathering feedback about parameters and factors affecting the effectiveness of the ozone treatment will make the full implementation of the ozonation technology more effective as well as reduce overall operating costs by sizing the ozone injection skid properly.

If you require additional help and assistance in selecting a unit, please contact an Ozmotics representative at 1-877-386-3763 for a complimentary consultation and review of your application’s requirements.

http://www.nesc.wvu.edu

 

 

The importance of maintaining a sterile and clean environment in the wine industry is immense. Cross contamination between batches of wine is a major concern and so is the management of the active yeast.

The yeast is a major ingredient in the fermentation process and without it the fermentation process would not occur. However, the Brettanomyces (a non-spore forming genus of yeast in the family Saccharomycetaceae) can contaminate the finished wine product and give it an undesired off-flavor.

While the Brettanomyces is a desired ingredient to some wines and according to some wine makers that rely on Brettanomyces to give their distinctive character (i.e. Château Musar), most wine producers see the Brettanomyces as a wine spoiler (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brettanomyces)

Benefits of Ozone in the Wine Making Process

It is well known fact that the best recognized wine brands often obtain their finishing palate and bouquet (distinctive trademark flavor and smell) by being stored in oak barrels as part of the aging process. To retain such distinctive flavor, it is important that those barrels be kept free of contaminants that can spoil the wine.

Use of chlorine to sanitize oak barrels is not recommended since the oak barrels will absorb the chlorine during the washing process and release it during the wine storing process therefore running the risk to spoil the batch pf wine being stored in the chlorine contaminated barrel.

Ozone is well known as being as effective as chlorine in oxidizing organic matter as well as killing any microbiological growth. However unlike chlorine, it will not leach into the oak barrels and will revert quickly back to its more stable oxygen form shortly after treatment. As such the use of ozone for washing the barrels between the batches is well preferred over the use of chlorine.

Ozone is also effective in killing the active yeast growth (Brettanomyces ) so the proper ozonation of wine barrels and other surfaces that may come in touch with the wine during the fermentation and/or storage of the wine, will help greatly reduce the development of the off-taste and spoilage of the wine.

Portability of the Ozone Equipment

The second large benefit of using ozone in the wine making industry is the portability of the ozone making equipment and technology. Ozone is typically generated on-site using ambient air and the entire ozonation skid can be made to be portable therefore allowing it to be moved from place to place without the need to disassemble or reassemble the equipment.

This portability means that even the smallest winery can easily acquire the necessary ozonation equipment and use it to aid in maintaining the proper sanitation levels of the wine making and storing equipment and facilities.

On-site Cleaning

While barrel and fermentation tank sanitation are a lesser problem because of the ready access and area to spray wash the surface, the cleaning of pipes and other infrastructure used to transfer the wine between the many vessels used within the different stages of the wine making process, is a far more delicate and complex operation. As such it is not a wonder that many wineries report the contamination to happen exactly at this stage (inside piping and other small chamber areas where proper washing and sanitation is hard to accomplish). Use of ozone for the on-site cleaning and sanitation of areas has proven more effective than any other method and the related contamination and undesired microbiological growth has been effectively eliminated.

Cleaning in place involves injecting the ozonated water inside the pipes and other small vessels typically difficult to decontaminate in any other conventional way. The ozonated water will clean and effectively decontaminate the inside of the equipment therefore preventing the cross contamination of the new batch of wine.

Sanitizing the wine making, transportation and storage equipment with about 2.5 ppm of ozone for approximately 2 to 5 minutes after the hot water wash has been applied, is a recommended practice for sanitizing (source: International Ozone Application – “Ozone in Wine Industry” publication , http://www.io3a.org).

General Area Cleaning and Sanitation

Ozone is also effective at general area cleaning and sanitation as well.

For example ozone can be used to clean common areas such as passages, catwalks and other areas used to gain access to wine making and storage equipment areas.

Using ozone to decontaminate such areas is also a very good practice and the same equipment that is used to wash the wine barrels, pipes and inside of the fermentation tanks can be used with minimal or no modification to wash and sanitize the general areas and infrastructure.

Conclusion

The benefits of using ozone in the wine making process are many. From the accessibility of the technology and portability of the ozone generating equipment to the ability to use ozone in many other processes and areas within the winery, ozone has proven to be a wine maker’s best friend.

If you require additional information about the ozone technology, engineering and design of the turn-key ozone injection skid or if you need help sizing a unit please contact your Ozmotics representative at 1-877-386-3763.

The rapid global increase of the population as well as the industrialization of the global economy have put the human population in direct or indirect exposure with waste water.

The exposure to waste water and microbiological organisms found within it is one of the biggest concerns in third world countries. Interestingly, the issue of accidental exposure and contamination of  drinking water with microbiological organisms commonly found in waste water, has not eluded even developed countries.

The commonly found organisms in domestic wastewater include enteric bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. Most of these organisms had been closely linked to the outbreak of illnesses that range in severity from minor to most serious or even deadly.

The following is a short-list of bacteria and the associated illnesses each is responsible for:

Bacteria

• - Escherichia coli (enterotoxigenic) – Causes Gastroenteritis
• - Leptospira (spp.) – Causes Leptospirosis
• - Salmonella typhi – Causes Typhoid fever
• - Salmonella (≈2,100 serotypes) – Causes Salmonellosis
• - Shigella (4 spp.) – Causes Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery).
• - Vibrio cholerae -  Causes Cholera

Protozoa

• - Balantidium coli  – Causes Balantidiasis
• - Cryptosporidium parvum – Causes Cryptosporidiosis
• - Entamoeba histolytica – Causes Amebiasis (amoebic dysentery)
• - Giardia lamblia – Causes Giardiasis

Helminths

• - Ascaris lumbricoides – Causes Ascariasis
• - T. solium -  Causes Taeniasis
• - Trichuris trichiura – Causes Trichuriasis

Viruses

Enteroviruses (72 types, e.g.,  polio, echo, and coxsackie virus) – Cause Gastroenteritis, heart anomalies, meningitis.

• - Hepatitis A virus – Cause Infectious hepatitis
• - Norwalk agent  – Cause Gastroenteritis
• - Rotavirus – Cause Gastroenteritis

> Source: National Small Flow Clearinghouse: http://www.nesc.wvu.edu

Waste Water Treatment:

Historically, three distinct technologies have been used to treat waste water and destroy the microbiological contaminants within it.

1. UV Radiation - UV radiation is generated using an electrical discharge through a mercury vapor medium. The resulting UV radiation is used to incapacitate and destroy the microbiological growth inside the waste water.
2. Chlorination – Perhaps the most widely-used method for disinfecting waste water. Chlorine is a strong oxidant that destroys microbiological growth by oxidizing cellular material.
3. Ozonation – Ozone is also known as a strong oxidizing agent. In fact, the oxidation potential of ozone is much higher than the oxidation potential of chlorine (2.07 versus chlorine oxidation potential of 1.36).

Ozone versus Chlorine (Pros and Cons):

Perhaps the largest advantage of chlorine is the initial cost of the system. Chlorine is typically produced off-site and brought on-site for the treatment. As such the initial costs are typically lower.

Ozone treatment may on the other hand require a larger initial capital investment since ozone is typically produced on-site (due to the short life of the ozone, which is highly reactive) will quickly revert to more stable oxygen molecule.

However, once the technology is procured and installed the only additional cost of operating it is the cost of electricity and scheduled maintenance costs of the equipment therefore making the ozone less costly to use in the long-term.

Unlike chlorine, ozone leaves no residual trace elements once the treatment has been completed (any unused ozone will simply revert back to the more stable oxygen molecule). As such ozone is preferred where the water will be discharged back into the environment as it produces no trace residual pollutants.  The main downside of ozone, however is that it must be constantly introduced into the water being treated (even after the treatment) to prevent the recontamination of the water. Chlorine on the other hand can be dissolved and remain in the treated water therefore no follow-up treatment is needed.

The Method of Ozone Disinfection:

It is widely believed that ozone kills viruses, bacteria and other microbiological organisms by attacking the inner membrane wall of the microbiological organism’s cellular structure.

The effectiveness of ozone to destroy bacteria viruses and other microbiological organisms had been tested and results published in several scientific papers and other journals. The following is a summary of results published to date:

• - E. coli – Destroyed with 0.02 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Poliovirus 1 – Destroyed with 0.1-0.2 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Rotavirus  – Destroyed with 0.006-0.06 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia lamblia cysts  – Destroyed 0.5-0.6 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia muris cysts – - Destroyed 1.8-2.0 mg.min/l of O3 at pH: 6 to 7

The same experiment repeated at the same pH level using the chlorine as a disinfection agent:

• - E. coli – Destroyed with 0.034-0.05 mg.min/l of Cl at pH: 6 to 7
• - Poliovirus 1 – Destroyed with 1.1-2.5 mg.min/l of Cl at pH: 6 to 7
• - Rotavirus  – Destroyed with 0.01-0.05 mg.min/l of Cl at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia lamblia cysts  – Destroyed 47->150 mg.min/l of Cl at pH: 6 to 7
• - Giardia muris cysts  – Destroyed 30-630 mg.min/l of Cl at pH: 6 to 7

Note – For the destruction of the Giardia muris cysts, chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is reported as more effective although for all other biological organisms reported above, the concentration of chlorine dioxide was at par or significantly higher compared to simple chlorine molecule.

• - Giardia muris cysts  – Destroyed 7.2-18.5 mg.min/l of ClO2 at pH: 6 to 7

> Source: Ozonia Ltd – Switzerland

Using Ozone for Waste Water Treatment (Conclusion):

With the exception of the initial cost to deploy the technology, ozone has proven to be more effective, more environmentally friendly and has longer-term economical benefits to use in the waste water treatment process.  Unlike chlorine, ozone is effective in destroying a wide spectrum of microbiological organisms including some protozoa (Giardia lamblia and giardia muris cysts) which have been shown to be extremely resistant to chlorine.

If you have an application that requires waste water disinfection or treatment and need help sizing a unit please contact your Ozmotics representative at 1-877-386-3763.