Instrumentation for Evaluating Differences in Ammonia Volatilization from Broiler Litter and Cake

Greater understanding of the mechanisms affecting NH3 volatilization from reused broiler bedding is needed to determine pathways for mitigating NH3 emissions. A chamber acid trap (CAT) system was developed to provide an improved laboratory method for determining NH3 volatilization from litter or cake samples and for assessing treatment technologies to decrease NH3 losses from poultry litter. The CAT system offers precision control of air flow rate through sample chambers as well as straightforward, precise determination of the amount of N volatilized. This article outlines the basic setup of the CAT system. The system can be utilized and modified for researching specific mechanisms involving physical, chemical, or biological treatments affecting NH3 volatilization from litter or cake.