Typescript Includes bibliographical references

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Methane is the most abundant organic chemical in the earth's atmosphere. Its abundance in the atmosphere is increasing with time and has reached levels not seen in recent geological history. The methane is produced both naturally, and anthropogenically. One of the sources of anthropogenic methane is manure from domesticated animals. Casada and Safley (1990) estimated the amount of methane generated from this source. This was done by estimating the Methane Conversion Factor (MCF) typically achieved by various waste management systems. This study was done to evaluate those estimates of the MCF. The MCF's for the most dominant of disposal methods, rangeland/pasture disposal, were much lower than the earlier estimates. Other waste management systems, such as solid storage and liquid slurry storage had much higher MCF's, at 20° and 30° C. However, these waste management methods are more prevalent in parts of the world where the average annual temperature is closer to 10° C. At that temperature, the MCF is negligible in all waste management systems. This study showed that the previously reported estimates of MCF for some waste management systems were higher than what was actually the case. Consequently earlier estimates of the amount of methane generated from manures were higher than what this study found. / Graduation date: 1994

While most micrometeorological measurement techniques are only suitable for windy conditions, the Nocturnal Boundary Layer Technique can be used to measure trace gas flux during calm, clear nights as the nighttime stability enables gas emitted at the ground to accumulate. The difference between two measurements over the whole depth of this layer is believed to integrate emissions from a large area representative of, in this study, an agricultural farm. A tethersonde and infrared gas analyzer attached to a blimp carrying a bag sampling system monitored atmospheric variables for each ascent during two summer field campaigns. A mini-SODAR was installed in the field to obtain the wind flowfield. Strong accumulation was observed under low level jets suggesting that this feature acts as a good lid for trace gases. An average background vertical motion different from zero seemed to have more influence on gas propagation than did intermittent turbulence. On at least one night, a density current created by the nearby St-Lawrence River was observed to influence measurements.

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The use of wood stoves for residential heating has been increasing over the past several years. This increased use of wood stoves has caused significant concern about increased air pollution. Development of improved emissions and efficiency measurement methods will allow the development of improved stoves. Room calorimetry is used as the standard for measuring the energy efficiency of stoves. Unfortunately, this method is expensive and few wood stove manufacturers can afford it. For this reason, flue loss methods which are generally less expensive are attractive. Flue loss methods measure either directly or indirectly the following instantaneous losses: 1. Sensible energy loss due to the flue gases being at a higher temperature than the ambient. 2. Chemical energy loss from incomplete combustion. 3. Latent energy loss due to water existing as a vapor in the flue gas. This loss is included since the higher heating value of wood is used. The instantaneous efficiency of the stove can then be determined from measurement of these three losses and the instantaneous energy input. This project is part of a larger project which has an overall objective to develop an accurate flue loss method. An accurate flue loss method is needed since many of the traditional flue loss methods have unknown accuracies. / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1983 J66 / Master of Science