The Science of Air Scrubbing in Poultry Farming: Cleaner Air with Pollo-M

As poultry farming grows to meet global food demand, so do concerns about its environmental impact, especially air pollution. Large poultry operations can release significant amounts of ammonia and dust particles into the air. These emissions can affect the health of animals, workers, nearby communities, and the environment itself.

In Europe, intensive agriculture is responsible for around 94% of all ammonia emissions, and poultry farms play a major role in that figure. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a broiler farm with 500,000 birds is likely to emit up to 24 tonnes of ammonia into the atmosphere a year.  

This is more than just a nuisance, it's a public health issue. If fact, research shows that fine dust particles released from poultry houses not only contain manure particles, but also bacteria, fungal spores and toxins that can harm farm workers and nearby residents. That’s why air scrubbing systems are becoming essential, not just to comply with regulations, but to support healthier, more sustainable farming.

To address this, air cleaning systems like Pollo-M from Big Dutchman are becoming essential for responsible, sustainable poultry farming.

Why Air Cleaning Matters in Poultry Farming

In modern poultry houses, ventilation systems push vast amounts of exhaust air outdoors to regulate temperature and humidity. However, this exhaust air also carries ammonia, dust particles, and odour compounds, all of which are by products of manure, bedding, and bird activity.

Unchecked, these emissions can cause:

• Respiratory issues for animals and workers
• Environmental damage, including acid rain and soil degradation
• Nuisance odours affecting neighbouring communities
• Regulatory violations as governments tighten emission standards

To maintain environmental compliance and improve air quality, poultry farms are turning to air scrubbing technology, which captures and neutralises harmful components in exhaust air before it is released.

The Science Behind Air Scrubbing

Air scrubbing is a process that filters and chemically treats the exhaust air from poultry buildings. Big Dutchman’s Pollo-M system is a single-stage chemical air scrubber specifically designed for broiler houses. It is engineered to reduce ammonia and dust emissions significantly, ensuring cleaner, safer, and more sustainable operations.

Here’s how it works:

1. Central Air Collection: Exhaust air from the poultry house is channelled into the Pollo-M system using powerful fans.
2. Horizontal Filter Element: A large horizontal filter element inside the exhaust air tower provides extensive surface area, maximising the contact between air and water.
3. Continuous Spray System: The filter is constantly sprayed with acidified water. This wash water contains sulfuric acid, lowering its pH to ≤ 3.3, an optimal level for ammonia binding.
4. Chemical Reaction: As the exhaust air passes through the wet packing material, ammonia (NH₃) dissolves into the acidic water and is converted into ammonium sulphate, a stable and non-volatile compound.
5. Dust Removal: Simultaneously, dust particles and fine dust (PM10 and PM2.5) are captured in the moist environment and washed away.

This dual-action process removes pollutants efficiently, making the air released from the poultry house much cleaner.

Proven Results: Performance Backed by Testing

The effectiveness of the Pollo-M system has been confirmed through rigorous testing. According to the DLG SignumTest, the system achieved the following separation rates:

• Ammonia: 91%
• Total dust: 87%
• Fine dust PM10: 77%
• Fine dust PM2.5: 94%

These results demonstrate Pollo-M’s capacity to significantly reduce both harmful gases and particulate matter, which us a major win for both environmental protection and farm performance.

Designed for Efficiency and Ease of Use

Beyond its scientific foundation, the Pollo-M system is built with user convenience and long-term operation in mind:

• Energy Efficiency: The low air resistance of the horizontal filter and energy-saving pump technology for the rinse water system reduce operational costs.
• Low Maintenance: Constant humidification keeps the filter element clean, minimising the need for manual intervention.
• Remote Monitoring: The system includes data logging and remote-control capabilities, allowing farmers to track performance and make adjustments in real time.
• Compact Integration: Pollo-M is designed to be integrated directly into the exhaust air tower of poultry buildings, requiring no separate housing and preserving valuable farm space.
• Accessibility: Easy access points ensure that inspections and maintenance can be carried out quickly and safely.

A Smarter, Cleaner Future for Poultry

The rising scrutiny of emissions from poultry farms calls for advanced solutions that combine science, efficiency, and practicality. With Pollo-M, Big Dutchman delivers just that, which is a high-performance air scrubbing system that allows farmers to meet environmental standards without compromising productivity.

By converting harmful ammonia into a stable compound and removing dust particles from exhaust air, Pollo-M helps poultry operations reduce their environmental footprint, safeguard animal and worker health, and contribute to more sustainable food production.