This research assessed whether a novel small-scale single-stage electrostatic precipitator could maintain, over the course of 48 hours, a high removal efficiency of particulate matter from a flue gas stream of a biomass furnace utilized for greenhouse heating. Biomass is considered a renewable, carbon neutral fuel; therefore, it could be used as a green option for heating greenhouses as well as a greenhouse heating option for communities which have limited access to fossil fuels such as those in the northern regions of Canada. However, unlike natural gas, which is more commonly used to heat greenhouses, the combustion of biomass consists of erratic fuel-rich and fuel-lean areas as well as mineral and salt deposits within the fuel. These deficiencies result in high concentrations pollutants, such as particulate matter, whose removal is paramount in the success of biomass heating options. The results of this research found three important elements about the novel electrostatic precipitator: (1) the removal rate of particulate matter remained relatively constant throughout this time period with small fluctuations; (2) the removal rate of particulate matter was high enough (96-99%) to be considered a viable option for small-scale biomass furnaces; (3) the weight of the particulate matter after agglomeration within the electrostatic precipitator was sufficient to depose itself out of the flue stream. These findings are significant as it shows that biomass could be a viable option for heating greenhouses with the usage of small-scale single-stage electrostatic precipitators.

In response to new and emerging challenges in animal transport, including more stringent biosecurity and public demand for enhanced animal welfare, an innovative prototype trailer with fully functional mechanical ventilation and air filtration systems was developed. Road and disease-challenge tests were carried out to assess the performance of the trailer in maintaining a welfare-friendly and pathogen-free environment during transport. The road tests, which involved a 6-hour road trip with 10 to 40 pigs on-board the trailer, aimed to evaluate the performance of the trailer’s ancillary systems (ventilation, heating, misting systems) and assess the general welfare of the animals during transport. The disease-challenge tests, on the other hand, were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the trailer in protecting against airborne pathogens such as Influenza A virus (IAV) from the external environment. In this test, the trailer loaded with 10 pigs was exposed to the exhaust air from the IAV-positive barn, and then the pigs were observed for clinical signs of infection. Results of the road tests demonstrated that the trailer’s ancillary systems were able to maintain acceptable environmental conditions in the animal compartment during transport. In the disease-challenge tests, pigs in the trailer without an air filtration system started getting sick five days after the exposure. However, pigs in the trailer with an air filtration system remained healthy over the course of 14 days following exposure. This result suggests that the air filtration system in the trailer was capable of protecting the pigs from exposure to airborne transmissible diseases.