The intensification of livestock farming has significantly transformed environmental pollution, particularly through greenhouse gas emissions. Methane emitted from barns and manure storage systems is one of the most important sources of global warming. With a heat-trapping potential over 25 times greater than carbon dioxide, methane represents one of the most urgent challenges in the pursuit of climate stability.

Barns and manure management systems emit considerable amounts of methane, mainly during the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in livestock waste. This adds to the climate crisis and reflects the inefficiency of the current waste management systems. Agricultural methane emissions comprise about 37% of global anthropogenic methane, hence the urgent need for innovative interventions.

​

This is compounded by the fact that barns are also hotspots for ammonia (NH3) emissions due to the breakdown of urea in the urine and feces of livestock. When released into the atmosphere, ammonia reacts to form secondary particulate matter, which contributes to air pollution. These emissions cause respiratory health problems in humans, disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and acidify soils, thus affecting agricultural productivity. The environmental and health implications of ammonia underscore the inadequacy of conventional barn waste management practices.

​

Adding to the complication, most waste management methods hardly tap methane as a potential renewable energy source. This missed opportunity indicates a significant gap in the transition toward sustainable agriculture. Tapping methane reduces greenhouse gas emissions and offers a cleaner energy source, adding to global efforts toward mitigating climate change.

 

While agriculture technology has evolved, few scalable and efficient systems have been developed to either filter out harmful emissions or repurpose methane for energy. Traditional solutions fall short due to high costs, implementation challenges, and limited adaptability to varying farm sizes and operational structures.

​

The challenge is straightforward: design and implement a system capable of simultaneously reducing the levels of methane and ammonia while transforming methane into a valuable, energetic resource. This approach will help mitigate the environmental impact of livestock farming with the dual purpose of sustainability for agriculture.