Education

Research Description

Livestock barn ventilation, heating, and cooling; agricultural air quality; renewable energy applications in livestock barns

Honors and Awards

• Special Specialist Award, 2006
• Robert W. Bottcher Promising Researcher Award, 2004
• Faculty Research and Professional Development Award, 2004
• WVU Extension Service Outstanding Developing Researcher Award, 2002

Publications

Evaluation of Ventilation Shutdown in a Multi-level Caged System

Eberle-Krish, K. N., Martin, M. P., Malheiros, R. D., Shah, S. B., Livingston, K. A., & Anderson, K. E. (2018), JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH, 27(4), 555–563. https://doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfy036

Evaluation of a novel, low-cost plastic solar air heater for turkey brooding

Poole, M. R., Shah, S. B., Grimes, J. L., & Boyette, M. D. S. L. F. (2018), Energy for Sustainable Development, 45, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2018.04.004

Evaluation of landscape fabric as a solar air heater

Poole, M. R., Shah, S. B., Boyette, M. D., Grimes, J. L., & Stikeleather, L. F. (2018), Renewable Energy, 127, 998–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.05.045

Performance of a Coupled Transpired Solar Collector--Phase Change Material-based Thermal Energy Storage System

Poole, M., Shah, S., Boyette, M., & Cleveland, T. (2018), Energy and Buildings, 161, 72–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.12.027

A novel non-invasive method for evaluating electroencephalograms on laying hens

Eberle, K. N., Martin, M. P., Shah, S., Malheiros, R. D., Livingston, K. A., & Anderson, K. E. (2018), Poultry Science, 97(3), 860–864. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex391

Tempering ventilation air in a swine finishing barn with a low-cost earth-to-water heat exchanger

Shah, S., Lentz, Z., Heugten, E., Currin, R., & Singletary, I. (2017), Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4979359

Avocado seed-derived activated carbon for mitigation of aqueous ammonium

Zhu, Y. Y., Kolar, P., Shah, S. B., Cheng, J. J., & Lim, P. K. (2016), Industrial Crops and Products, 92, 34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.07.016

Development of MOS sensor-based NH3 monitor for use in poultry houses

Lin, T. H., Shah, S. B., Wang-Li, L. J., Oviedo-Rondoon, E. O., & Post, J. (2016), Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 127, 708–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2016.07.033

N2O emission and nitrogen transformation in chicken manure and biochar co-composting

Jia, X., Wang, M., Yuan, W., Shah, S., Shi, W., Meng, X., … Yang, B. (2016), Transactions of the ASABE, 59(5), 1277–1283. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.59.11685

Performance analysis of a poultry engineering chamber complex for animal environment, air quality, and welfare studies

Shivkumar, A. P., Wang-Li, L., Shah, S. B., Stikeleather, L. F., & Fuentes, M. (2016), Transactions of the ASABE, 59(5), 1371–1382.

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Grants

Evaluation of two Commercial Products for their Abilities to Reduce Ammonia Volatilization from Broiler Litter

Biodyne, Inc.(2/04/19 - 5/15/19)

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Evaluation of two Commercial Products for their Abilities to Reduce Ammonia Volatilization from Broiler Litter

Sponsor: Biodyne, Inc.

Start Date: 2/04/19

End Date: 5/15/19

Abstract

Ammonia release from chicken litter can affect the health of chickens as well as workers. Emission of the ammonia into the environment can also affect environment, public health, quality of life (odor), and visibility. Certain additives can be added to the litter to reduce ammonia emissions. We propose to evaluate two biological additives for their abilities to reduce ammonia emission from litter. This 42-day study will be conducted at the bench-scale.

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Evaluating Broiler And Turkey Behavior And Physiological Stress Indicators During VSD With Additions Of Heat Or CO2 For The Development Of Humane Methodologies For Mass Depopulation During A Disease Outbreak

United States Poultry & Egg Association(10/01/17 - 5/31/19)

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Evaluating Broiler And Turkey Behavior And Physiological Stress Indicators During VSD With Additions Of Heat Or CO2 For The Development Of Humane Methodologies For Mass Depopulation During A Disease Outbreak

Sponsor: United States Poultry & Egg Association

Start Date: 10/01/17

End Date: 5/31/19

Abstract

The objective is to examine the overall effectiveness of ventilation shut down (VSD) for depopulating broilers and turkeys through monitoring environmental parameters, behavior, and stress physiology. Since these two types of poultry are vastly different it is imperative we understand their response to the depopulation methods which were developed in the first study. The evaluations will start with the evaluation of VSD, VSD+Heat and VSD+CO2 process compared these methods with broilers and turkeys. The birds will be placed in chambers with CO2 and temperature monitors to assess temperature, CO2 and percent relative humidity (RH%) as levels rise over time. Phase 1, will consist of brain activity (EEG) and body temperature will be measured at various time points to determine when hens become insensible and death occurs. Individual birds will be recorded using video cameras to assess the behavioral changes during VSD. Phase 2, will consist of blood samples collected to measure blood metabolites as indicators of heat stress at specific timed intervals throughout the process. The goal is to collect the physiological profile of the two species under controlled conditions in order to extrapolate this into the larger trials. Ultimately Phase 3 will have the goal to mimic conditions and temperatures which may occur in a commercial facility as VSD, VSD+Heat and VSD+CO2 depopulation methods are employed in a larger scale floor facility. The information found will determine the effectiveness of VSD for depopulation at given environmental conditions and allow for the large scale up to large floor houses thereby providing the industry a protocol to follow for mass depopulation in a disease outbreak.

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Evaluating hen behavior and physiological stressors during VSD for the development of humane methodologies for mass depopulation during a disease outbreak

United States Poultry & Egg Association(11/01/15 - 2/01/17)

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Evaluating hen behavior and physiological stressors during VSD for the development of humane methodologies for mass depopulation during a disease outbreak

Sponsor: United States Poultry & Egg Association

Start Date: 11/01/15

End Date: 2/01/17

Abstract

In 2015 the egg industry has been hit with one of the worst disease outbreaks in US Poultry history and the need for timely depopulation was identified as a critical control measures to contain an HPAI outbreak (USDA 2015). Delayed depopulation is a primary predictive factor in determining the size of an outbreak based on the 2003 H7N7 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in the Netherlands (Le Menach et al. 2006). The current methods of CO2 Kill Carts, CO2 infusion of an entire production house, and Fire Fighting Foam to asphyxiate the flock can become quickly overwhelmed in the face of 36.5 million laying hens in need of being depopulated. In addition, the latter two methods do not work effectively with the vertical configuration of the battery cage in commercial cage layer houses. The objectives are to use end of lay hens to evaluate the VSD process in small chambers compared to known methods of CO2 and then a combination of VSD and CO2. Initially individual hens (experimental subjects) will be have EEG electrodes affixed to monitor brain activity. These hens will be placed in small chambers which will monitor multiple environmental conditions such as ambient temperature and CO2 as levels rise in the chamber, blood samples will be collected from experimental subjects to measure blood metabolites (e.g. glucose, uric acid, calcium and potassium) as indicators of heat stress. In addition, brain activity (EEG), heart rate (ECG) and body temperature (rectal temperature and thermal images) will be measured at various time points to determine when the hens become insensible and when death occurs. CO2 and temperature monitors will assess temperature, CO2 and percent relative humidity (RH%). The goal is to mimic the conditions and temperatures of a commercial facility as VSD or CO2 depopulation methods are employed. Individual hen behavior will be recorded using video cameras to assess the behavioral changes. Then scale up to multi-tier cages looking at VSD’s effectiveness in for depopulating laying hens by monitoring the environmental conditions of temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentrations on brain function, behavior, and stress physiology to refine the model thereby providing the industry a protocol to follow for depopulation in a quarantine.

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LOW-COST SOLAR HEATER FOR POULTRY BARNS

United States Poultry & Egg Association(11/01/15 - 8/01/17)

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LOW-COST SOLAR HEATER FOR POULTRY BARNS

Sponsor: United States Poultry & Egg Association

Start Date: 11/01/15

End Date: 8/01/17

Abstract

Poultry brooding is expensive as it requires lots of propane. Further, many poultry producers reduce ventilation during brooding and winter to conserve propane. Reduced ventilation can degrade barn air quality which may adversely impact bird performance and worker health. Solar heating using transpired solar collector (TSC) can help reduce propane use by warming the incoming air temperature. However, conventional metal TSCs are very expensive. Our preliminary data show that a collector made of black plastic sheet can raise air temperature by up to 35 F and such a plastic TSC (pTSC) will cost only a fraction of the metal TSC. Hence, the overall objective of the proposed research is to evaluate the economic and technical feasibilities of using a pTSC in turkey brooding. A 4 ft by 8 ft pTSC module will be designed and fabricated for heating a room housing 250 turkey poults. The performance of this pTSC module will be evaluated based on temperature rise at different airflow rates as well as energy recovered (Btu/h and propane replaced). Energy use, environmental conditions, and air quality will be compared in the room heated with the pTSC with the adjacent control room, also with 250 poults; both rooms will also have conventional heating. Over two brooding flocks (total 10 weeks), bird performance (average daily weight gain, feed conversion, and mortalities) will be compared between the rooms with and without pTSC. Since the pTSC acts as a blackbody, it can provide supplemental cooling during nighttime. Hence, a bench-scale pTSC will be tested at different suction velocities to evaluate cooling effectiveness. Coconut coir as a desiccant to dehumidify the fresh air will also be examined.

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Combined Heat Recovery and Ammonia Control System for Broiler Brooding

United States Poultry & Egg Association(1/01/15 - 12/01/17)

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Combined Heat Recovery and Ammonia Control System for Broiler Brooding

Sponsor: United States Poultry & Egg Association

Start Date: 1/01/15

End Date: 12/01/17

Abstract

During brooding, temperature difference of up to 20ï‚°F between the ceiling and floor of a poultry house during brooding can cause substantial heat loss through the ceiling and increase cost of heating to the producer. This temperature stratification and energy use can be greatly reduced using mixing fans but recirculating the warm air collecting near the ceiling to the chicks or poults near the floor also brings down the ammonia-laden air into the breathing zone of the birds. Combining the heat recovery unit with an ammonia filtration system could reduce energy use as well as ammonia concentrations at bird height and may thus improve bird performance. Reduced propane use would also reduce CO2, CO, and water vapor concentrations inside the barn and may thus provide additional benefits to the birds. The proposed heat recovery and ammonia control (HRAC) system will consist of a fan and a filter. The filter will be a thin layer of acidified activated carbon (AC) which can sorb ammonia and amines (very odorous) and can be added back into the litter to recycle the nitrogen. Lab tests will be conducted to select the proper AC medium and to design the filter system. The HRAC will be designed using computational fluid dynamics for cost-effectiveness. Five units of the HRAC will be fabricated and after lab testing, will be deployed in the brood chamber of broiler houses for testing. Energy use, inside environmental conditions, bird performance, and litter moisture content will be compared between the test (with five HRAC) and adjacent, identical control houses. Testing will be performed for both the fall and winter flocks on farm with radiant brooders and the less-efficient pancake brooders. Based on research by others on different methods of air-mixing, with the HRAC, a 30% reduction in propane use is feasible. There is no research on the impact of reducing ammonia, CO2, CO, and water vapor concentrations at bird height on bird performance but given the impact of air quality and litter moisture on bird performance, improvements in bird performance is expected.

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Engineered windbreak wall - Negetative Strip System to Reduce Pollutant and Odor Emissions from Mechanically-Ventilated Broiler and Swine Barns

US Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)(9/29/14 - 12/31/18)

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Engineered windbreak wall - Negetative Strip System to Reduce Pollutant and Odor Emissions from Mechanically-Ventilated Broiler and Swine Barns

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)

Start Date: 9/29/14

End Date: 12/31/18

Abstract

The likelihood of the EPA regulating air pollutant emissions and local pressure to control odors necessitate the use of cost-effective methods to treat swine barn exhaust. Currently there are no cost-effective technologies for treating exhaust from livestock barns. We propose an engineered windbreak wall - vegetative strip system where the exhaust from the barn would be partially treated in a vegetative strip causing the free- and particle-bound gases to settle out, permitting the soil and plants to assimilate these pollutants. The windbreak wall would also facilitate dilution of the exhaust to reduce odors. The system would be designed using computational fluid dynamics software, then tested in the lab, and finally installed and monitored over 24 months at commercial swine and broiler farms in Lillington, NC. In addition to evaluation reduction in gas and particulate matter concentrations in the exhaust, changes in chemical concentrations will be monitored in the plants and soil will be compared with "control treatment" samples. The cost-effectiveness of this system, expressed in $/kg of pollutant reduced will be calculated.

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NOVEL SOLAR HEAT STORAGE SYSTEM

NCSU Research and Innovation Seed Funding Program(1/01/14 - 12/31/14)

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NOVEL SOLAR HEAT STORAGE SYSTEM

Sponsor: NCSU Research and Innovation Seed Funding Program

Start Date: 1/01/14

End Date: 12/31/14

Abstract

The transpired solar collector (TSC) is very efficient at converting solar energy into useful heat. However, the economics of a TSC could be greatly improved if heat could be stored for use after sundown. Preliminary studies by the Shah’s mentorees have shown that coupling the TSC to a heat storage unit containing phase change materials (PCM) offers a potential heat storage solution. After selecting the most appropriate PCM, modeling will be used to optimize the design of a compact solar heat storage unit that maximizes heat storage and has simple payback comparable to direct heating. The system will be evaluated for its technical and economic performances during the heating season of 2014. This system offers considerable potential for additional research funding and commercialization.

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Develop and Test Ammonia - Oxygen Monitoring System For Poultry Houses

United States Poultry & Egg Association(1/01/14 - 4/01/15)

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Develop and Test Ammonia - Oxygen Monitoring System For Poultry Houses

Sponsor: United States Poultry & Egg Association

Start Date: 1/01/14

End Date: 4/01/15

Abstract

Currently, there are no accurate and cost-effective ammonia and oxygen monitoring systems for use in livestock barns for farmers. We propose to use off-the-shelf, low cost metal oxide and electrochemical sensors and couple them to scrubbers to remove vapor and interfering gas scrubbers to obtain more accurate gas levels and prolong the lives of these sensors. Because the sensors are low-cost, they can just be discarded instead of requiring expensive calibration. Gas concentrations will be corrected for humidity and temperature effects. In the first stage we will identify three each of ammonia and O2 sensors and select one of each type after intensive testing in chamber with poultry litter. Then, we will build a 6-volt battery powered sensor system weighing <3 lb. In the last stage, this system will be tested in a poultry house against established, more expensive sensors. We expect to develop a system that will be suitable for use by both producers and researchers.

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The Impact of Pad Cooling on Barn Environment, Finishing Pig Performance and Producer Profitability

National Pork Board(3/15/13 - 10/31/16)

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The Impact of Pad Cooling on Barn Environment, Finishing Pig Performance and Producer Profitability

Sponsor: National Pork Board

Start Date: 3/15/13

End Date: 10/31/16

Abstract

The objective of this project is to evaluate the profitability of cool cell pad technology in NC finishing barns. Four barns will be retrofitted with cool cells and compared to barns without cool cells. Corresponding pig performance, construction cost and energy usage data will be used to determine profit.

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Retrofitting a Naturally-Ventilated Hog Finishing Barn with a Geothermal Zone-Cooling System

NC Pork Council(1/01/12 - 9/30/13)

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Retrofitting a Naturally-Ventilated Hog Finishing Barn with a Geothermal Zone-Cooling System

Sponsor: NC Pork Council

Start Date: 1/01/12

End Date: 9/30/13

Abstract

Increasingly hot North Carolina summers, heavier finishing weights, and leaner pig lines have combined to increase the risk of heat stress in finisher pigs. Zumbach et al. (2008) reported that average carcass weight during the peak heat stress period was 13 lb lower than the non-heat stress period in two NC farms. Because it is very expensive to retrofit naturally-ventilated barns with exhaust fans and evaporative cool cell pads, retrofitting with the less-expensive geothermal zone-cooling system may be a viable option. The cost-effectiveness of this system will be increased because of USDA grants and tax credits as well as on-farm capability to do much of the work. In geothermal zone-cooling, water circulated through buried pipes is used to cool the fresh air which is then released right over the pigs. While such systems have been evaluated with success (mainly for heating) in the Midwest, its cost-benefits need to be evaluated under NC conditions. The overall objective of the proposed research is to evaluate the economic and technical feasibilities of using a liquid-to-air geothermal zone-cooling system in a naturally-ventilated pig finishing barn in Raleigh, NC. This will include evaluation of the system as well as pig performance due to reduced heat stress. A 5-ton (60,000 Btu/hr) geothermal zone-cooling system to provide 2,500 cfm of cooled air to 100 finisher pigs housed in a row of 20 pens will be built at NCSU?s Swine Education Unit and monitored over 8 months (summer and winter). Comparison of temperature and pig performance will be made relative to 100 pigs in an adjacent row of 20 pens without geothermal zone-cooling. The performance of the geothermal zone-cooling system will be analyzed for scaling up to a commercial size and to determine the economics of such a system. Based on the findings of Zumbach et al. (2008), geothermal zone-cooling will increase carcass yield during summer and greatly improve animal welfare.

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