English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

14 answers

GENERAL

Liquid manure storage systems have come into prominent use in recent years. Many dairy, beef and hog operations (and to a limited extent poultry operations) now use liquid manure systems as a fast and economical method of handling animal wastes. These systems, particularly if they are incorporated into the barn construction, may pose a serious hazard because of gases produced. Decomposing animal manure gives off a variety of gases including hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and methane. Of all these gases, hydrogen sulphide or more commonly called manure gas, is the most dangerous. Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) has been responsible for many animal deaths as well as occasional human deaths.

HOW HYDROGEN SULPHIDE IS FORMED

Hydrogen Sulphide is formed as a result of decomposing animal manure. The decomposition process begins as soon as it is excreted by the animals. Micro-organisms utilize the manure to synthesize new cellular material and to furnish energy for synthesis. This process takes place with or without oxygen. However, the type of microbes, and the type of gases that are produced, are dependent on the type of environment in which degradation takes place. In anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), typical of most liquid manure systems, hydrogen sulphide will be given off.
Hydrogen sulphide is produced continuously in all un-aerated manure storage systems, including shallow barn gutters, underground storage tanks or outside manure holding ponds or lagoons. Depending on temperatures and other factors, the rate of release of the gas is slow in undisturbed storage.

PROPERTIES OF HYDROGEN SULPHIDE

Hydrogen sulphide is a clear, colourless gas that can be identified in relatively low concentrations, by a characteristic "rotten-egg" odour. Hydrogen sulphide is approximately 20 percent heavier than air, with a specific gravity of 1.19. Hydrogen sulphide odours can be recognized in concentrations of less than 1 mg/kg (air). The odour of hydrogen sulphide will increase as the gas becomes more concentrated. However, in concentrations of 150 or greater mg/kg (air), a person's ability to detect the gas is affected by temporary paralysis of the olefactory nerves in the nose. Owing to this unique property of Hydrogen sulphide, relying totally on the sense of smell to warn against the gas, can be extremely dangerous. In high concentrations, the ability to smell the gas is lost instantaneously, the disappearance of the odour could mean that the gas concentrations have increased.

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN SULPHIDE

Hydrogen sulphide is classified as a toxic chemical, in high concentrations it will lead to almost instantaneous poisoning and death. High concentrations will result in the complete arrest of respiration. A person over come by this gas should promptly be removed from the contaminated area and given immediate artificial respiration.
Exposure to lesser concentrations may result in nausea, stomach distress, belching and coughing. Moderate concentrations may result in eye irritation.

THE DANGER PERIODS

Because hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air, the gas has a tendency to accumulate on the surface of the manure. Over a period of time, the undisturbed accumulation of the gas, along with a rising level of liquid manure in the storage system, may force the gas above floor level. When this happens animals are usually doomed. Above ground air currents may also result in localized concentrations of the gas, this usually explains why livestock losses occur in certain areas of a particular barn.
The greatest danger of exposure to hydrogen sulphide exists during agitation and pumping. Clean out during the fall months after several months of warm temperature storage accelerates gas production, or clean out after a prolonged period of time increases the potential danger. During agitation, hydrogen sulphide is released from the manure in the same manner as carbon dioxide is liberated after shaking a carbonated soft drink.

SAFE MANAGEMENT OF A LIQUID MANURE SYSTEM

The following precautions are essential to the safe management of a liquid manure system located in a livestock building:
Under no circumstances should anyone enter a liquid manure pit without wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, even if the pit is empty. Use a life line that is connected to someone outside the danger area.
Never allow the manure pit to fill completely. Allow 1 to 2 feet of air space to accommodate concentrations of gas.
If possible, lower the level of liquid manure in the storage facility before commencing agitation. This will further reduce the possibility of gas being forced above floor level.
Keep the agitator below the liquid surface. Gas will be released in greater volumes if vigorous surface agitation occurs.
Provide strong ventilation during pumping and agitation. The building interior should be off limits to people, and if possible, animals should be evacuated.
Because of the dangers presented by the agitation and pumping operations, these procedures should involve two people, connected by a life line, with one person always outside of the danger area.
Consult with your physician if you have been exposed to hydrogen sulphide in concentrations severe enough to cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

2006-08-18 18:51:47 · answer #1 · answered by Expert 3 · 0 0

H2S is a very poisonous gas. It smells rotten eggs and it is awfully dangerous because the gas produces in your nose a kind of paralysis of the odor detectors. This means that for you 60 ppm H2S in the air has the same smell as 5 ppm. But 60 ppm are already a lethal concentration. Gas mask with suitable filter shall be used.

2006-08-18 18:52:41 · answer #2 · answered by francopit 2 · 0 0

Oil / gas and petrochemical facilities around the globe rely on General Monitors H2S detectors and systems for their safety. Our advanced thin film metal oxide semiconductor (TFMOS) sensors offer precise gas measurement and superior reliability in the most rugged environments. We offer a broad selection of sensors and monitors to meet most application requirements.ydrogen sulfide
H2S
TWA (OSHA PEL)
20 ppm
Flash Point °F
Closed Cup: Gas
Open Cup: Gas
Explosive Limits
LEL%: 4.0
UEL%: 44.0
Ignition Temp °F
500
Specific Gravity
n/a
Vapor Density
1.20

2006-08-19 18:04:21 · answer #3 · answered by light feather 4 · 0 0

H2S is just as poisonous as hydrogen cyanide. it is very dangerous. Fortunately, it smells so bad in small concentrations it is easy to detect and avoid. When using H2S in a chem lab, it is always used under a ventilation hood.

2006-08-18 18:59:27 · answer #4 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0 0

just walk off the place far off so that H2s gas does not smell to the next person where ur standing or sitting, just take and excuse and move off. or if ur in a room just walk out of that room very simple.

2006-08-18 18:49:15 · answer #5 · answered by bridgetmaria 2 · 0 0

If exposed to H2S to a reasonable long time (repeated experiments, etc), hair loss may occur and in high concentration it can lead to intoxications and death

2006-08-19 00:20:31 · answer #6 · answered by andreicnx 3 · 0 0

Wow, man... do you really f*rt hydrogen sulfide? Rockin'! Seriously, I would just make sure the area is well ventilated. As I recall, it can be pretty caustic and reactive, and in a confined space it can "knock you on your butt". I'm not sure if there's a flammability risk....

2006-08-18 18:49:12 · answer #7 · answered by Don M 7 · 0 0

None. It just smells bad.

So wait...the precautions would be, don't pass around people you know or like.

2006-08-18 18:50:57 · answer #8 · answered by iandanielx 3 · 0 0

No smells it Thats enough

2006-08-18 18:53:15 · answer #9 · answered by Neo GOD 1 · 0 0

first open all the windows, don't turn on the light and soon shut the keyboard

2006-08-18 18:51:52 · answer #10 · answered by MARTA SUSANA L 3 · 0 0

while u r passing???... ;)..lolz
i guess one is 2 seal the tube of the container, in which its generated, after use..so that it doesnt leak.
secondly i guess its a bit acidic.
and MOST IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE DNT TRY TO SMELL... ITS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HORRIBLE..DAT U MAY DECIDE TO DROP CHEM.

2006-08-18 21:12:27 · answer #11 · answered by ani 2 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers