Title: National Cotton Gin PM2.5 Emissions Study

Transcription

1 BUSER IMPACT STATEMENTS Title: National Cotton Gin PM2.5 Emissions Study Summary: In 2008, the United States cotton ginning industry was beginning the process of complying with EPA s PM2.5 standards. The primary issue with developing the compliance processes was that extremely limited cotton ginning PM2.5 data existed. This created a need for states to estimate potential cotton gin PM2.5 emission factors. Industry representative and agricultural researchers thought these estimates were extremely high and determined that if these estimates were used in the regulatory process it would cost the U.S. cotton ginning industry $1.1 billion in initial capital costs and $85 million per year to maintain the new equipment. The industry requested that Dr. Buser develop a national study to develop baseline PM2.5 emission factors. Dr. Buser in working closely with industry, regulatory agencies and governmental research agencies developed a four year project sampling plan that took place in CA, MO, NC, NM and TX. The results from this project showed that cotton gin PM2.5 emission factors were 83% lower than the initial regulatory agency estimates, which meant that the majority of the cotton gins in the U.S. could comply with the new EPA standards will little to no modifications saving the industry over $1.1 billion in initial capital costs. Issue: In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered the limit on average PM2.5 emissions over a 24 hour period from 65 to 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Some states have set the standard much lower. This comes from a growing concern that the smallest dust particles pose the biggest health threat because they are small enough to penetrate deeply into peoples lungs. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter--2.5 microns is about 1/30 th of the thickness of a human hair. As states implement required plans to achieve federal standards and begin to regulate industries within their states as part of those plans, they face the major issue of a scarcity or, in some cases, a complete lack of data, on how much PM2.5 the various industries currently emit. Generally speaking, when regulatory agencies have limited data available they will use estimates that are conservative on the side of protecting public health. For the cotton ginning industry, extremely limited PM2.5 is currently available. To meet current federal deadlines, states are utilizing conservative PM2.5 estimates in their state implementation plans. For example, California is currently calculating cotton gin PM2.5 emission rates as of 30% of the total particulate matter emissions. For cotton gins in California, this is a major issue because they will be listed as a significant source of PM2.5 emission within the state and will be required to install additional costly abatement technologies or shut down to meet the new regulations. Page 1 of 19

2 What Has Been Done: Dr. Buser, OSU Professor in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, is leading a multi-state research team that is working closely with the cotton ginning industry and regulatory agencies across the United States. The research team includes: Dr. Derek Whitelock (USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Mesilla Park, NM), Mr. Clif Boykin (USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Unit in Stoneville, MS), and Dr. Greg Holt (USDA-ARS Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit in Lubbock, TX). The cotton gin advisory group consists of approximately 25 members from all cotton ginning associations in the United States, National Cotton Council, Cotton Incorporated, and Texas A&M University. The air quality advisory group consists of about 50 members from the National U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Region 4 (Atlanta), EPA Region 9 (San Francisco), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, California Air Resources Board, San Joaquin Unified Air Pollution Control District, USDA NRCS Air Quality and Climate Change and other USDA ARS scientists. This highly collaborative team has conducted PM2.5 stack sampling tests in California, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina and is on track to submit their research findings in 2012 that will this critical data gap. Results from the study indicate that cotton gin PM2.5 emission factors are 3 to 6% of total particulate matter emission factors. The result from this stakeholder driven research are being utilized by cotton producing states across the U.S. Further, other cotton producing countries are using the results from this research. Impact: This $2.3 million project has had a $1.46 billion economic impact in the U.S. since the initial preliminary test results were released to industry and state regulatory agencies. Model for collaborative research according to the current USDA Agricultural Research Service Interim Deputy Director This work has changed the permitting process for cotton gins in the state of Texas (roughly 35% of the active cotton gins in the U.S. are in Texas); note, some cotton grown in western Oklahoma is ginned in Texas. Approximately 89% of the cotton gin permits in the state of Texas use the new dataset. This work is now incorporated into the California Air Resources Board s Main Speciation Profiles document released in 2015 that directly impact the California cotton gins. It is expected that this work will be used in Oklahoma once the state begins revising cotton gin operating and construction permits to include PM2.5. This project has greatly improved the working relationship between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the cotton ginning industry the groups are actively working on resolving permitting related issues Page 2 of 19

3 It is expected that this work will be used as the primary source for the U.S. EPA s Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors for stationary point and area sources (AP- 42), Chapter 9.7 Cotton Ginning. Assuming this data is used in the revised AP-42, the data will then become a part of or will impact every cotton ginning permit in the U.S. upon the project s completion. The work is being used in Australia and China in permitting and evaluating cotton gin permits in those countries. If the PM2.5 data gap were not addressed and cotton gins across the U.S. were required to make changes to meet state estimated PM2.5 emission factors, it could have cost the U.S. cotton ginning industry $1.1 billion to make the initial modifications and $85 million per year to maintain the new equipment. For the Oklahoma cotton gins the cost was expected to be $32 million in initial installation and another $2.4 million in annual maintenance costs. Scope of Impact: International Source of Funding: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cotton Incorporated, Cotton Foundation, California Cotton Growers and Ginners Association, Texas Cotton Ginners Association, Southern Cotton Ginners Association, Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, Texas State Support Group, and San Joaquin Valleywide Air Pollution Study Agency. Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Oklahoma State University 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) buser@okstate.edu Page 3 of 19

4 Title: Particulate Matter Sampler Errors Summary: Agricultural industries across the US are encountering increased difficulties in complying with current EPA particulate matter standards. These difficulties are resulting in non-compliance and are costing American agriculture millions if not billions of dollars annually in terms of 1) reducing production to achieve compliance, 2) costs of implementing additional air pollution abatement technologies and/or practices, 3) fines, 4) additional testing requirements, and 5) closures. Many of these non-compliance related issues could be directly attributed to particulate matter sampler errors. Dr. Buser s field based research has shown PM10 and PM2.5 sampler based measurements that were 3 to 8 times the actual PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Errors of this magnitude can greatly impact a specific facility financially with limited health based air quality improvement in the localized area. Issue: The fundamental issue is that EPA approved particulate matter sampling equipment does not perform the same in all environments. Particulate matter samplers were developed to measure the particulates from sources with relatively small particle size and no fibrous components. These samplers were determined to work well within their defined environment and it was assumed that the samplers would work just as well in all environments, including environments with relatively large particle sizes that had fibrous components. This is a common practice that is generally used until it is proven that the methodology or equipment in question does not perform as expected in environments outside of the original design criteria. Agricultural operations across the United States emit material that has relatively large particles and may contain fibrous components. Using EPA approved PM10 or PM2.5 samples in these environments can change the sampler s performance and can yield larger PM10 or PM2.5 concentration measurements that what is actually in the agricultural environment. This sampler based error is contributing too many of the difficulties agriculture is encountering in complying with current air pollution regulations for particulate matter. This non-compliance is costing American agriculture millions if not billions of dollars annually in terms of 1) reducing production to achieve compliance, 2) costs of implementing additional air pollution abatement technologies and/or practices, 3) fines, 4) additional testing requirement, and 5) closures. In addition, agricultural industries could be spending these additional dollars with little to no direct improvements in the health based quality of the air. This affect has been report sporadically across the US and is most likely attributed to current particulate matter sampler errors. Page 4 of 19

5 What Has Been Done: Dr. Buser, OSU Professor in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, and his collaborators from across the United States have conducted research over the past ten plus years to document the errors associated with particulate matter sampling technologies and bring this issue to the US Environmental Protection Agency and state air pollution regulatory agency s attention. Numerous theoretical and experimental studies have been conducted to determine the errors associated with current PM10, PM2.5, and PMcoarse ambient and stack samplers. Theoretical models have predicted that PM10, PM2.5, and PMcoarse ambient air samplers would over-estimate cotton gin PM concentrations by a factor of 1.2, 1.62, and 1.4, respectively. These models predicted that PM10 stack samplers would over-estimate PM concentrations by a factor of 1.5. These estimates are highly dependent on the characteristics of the PM emitted from the source. Cotton gin field studies have indicated that the sampling errors are significantly larger than those predicted by the theoretical models, for example: 1) PM10 and PM2.5 ambient sampler errors were 1.8 and 3.9 times greater than those predicted by the theoretical models; and 2) PM10 and PM2.5 stack sampler errors were 1.6 to 4.5 times greater than those predicted by the theoretical models. Dr. Buser has and continues to conduct research in this area, publish papers, testify to committees, present the information to international audiences and explore opportunities to work with regulatory agencies in acknowledging and addressing this critical issue. Impact: Model for collaborative research according to the current USDA Agricultural Research Service Interim Deputy Director The USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Force continues to list this topic a priority action item. Currently listed as a high research priority of the United States Cotton Industry Gave testimony to the US EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Gave testimony to the US EPA Deputy Administrator This research could explain why some particulate matter model estimates do not match regulatory receptor site concentrations. This research could explain why some industries that have been required to install additional control technologies for PM10 and PM2.5 have not significantly reduced PM10 and PM2.5 emission concentrations in the immediate vicinity. o Wrong facilities being identified a primary sources Groups such as the Delta Group have used the results to explain why their instruments do not meet the EPA s sampler performance guidelines. Dr. Buser and collaborators have met and continue to meet with key US Environmental Protection Agency scientists and are currently developing joint research projects to Page 5 of 19

6 further quantify particulate matter sampler issues and evaluate alternative methodologies for determining agricultural PM emissions. Other industries such as the mining industry have started looking into the quality of current PM sampler technology. Scope of Impact: International Source of Funding: USDA National Research Initiative, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cotton Incorporated, Cotton Foundation, California Cotton Growers and Ginners Association, Texas Cotton Ginners Association, Southern Cotton Ginners Association, Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, Texas State Support Group, and San Joaquin Valleywide Air Pollution Study Agency. Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Oklahoma State University 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) Page 6 of 19

7 Title: Bioenergy Feedstock Logistics Summary: Some of the largest issues associated with developing a cellulosic based bioenergy industry center around feedstock logistics. Dr. Buser is leading the logistics components of a multimillion dollar OSU led USDA project and collaborator on a multi-million dollar AGCO led DOE project. Dr. Buser s OSU team is collaborating with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Idaho National Laboratories, AGCO Corporation, and Stinger LTD. These projects are focused on developing practices and technologies necessary to ensure efficient, sustainable and profitable production of cellulosic biomass. The projects utilizes large-scale feedstock production research fields and commercial size equipment to determine the economic and environmental sustainability of producing switchgrass, mixed-species perennial grasses and forage sorghum for biorefinery industries. Issue: Logistics is a critical issue and can make or break a sustainable bioenergy and/or biobased products system. A holistic and integrated logistics research and extension program that includes harvesting, packaging, storage, transportation, and pre-processing are essential. Each of these logistics topic areas is highly dependent on the other logistic topic areas. Logistical systems are also highly dependent on the type of feedstock material and the biorefinery or biobased products industry material specifications. Currently one of the major logistics issues is the lack of industry material specifications. This issue has forced the logistics research to be extremely broad. Another critical issue is feedstock value. Currently the target price per delivered ton for cellulosic feedstock is $45. Delivering feedstocks to the biorefinery at $45/ton is virtually impossible with traditional harvesting, packaging and storage practices unless the feedstocks being delivered are residues such as corn stover. Even delivering feedstocks such as corn stover at $45/ton using conventional practices is challenging. The primary opportunity created by a lack of industry specifications and low feedstock values is that research teams are provided the opportunity to explore concepts outside the traditional hay and forage methodologies. What Has Been Done: During the past three years, Dr. Buser s logistics team has conducted large scale harvesting and storage studies in the Panhandle, Central and South Central Oklahoma. These studies have focused on forage sorghum, switchgrass and mixed grasses from CRP lands. The team partnered with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Stations to secure the lands needed for the projects and establish the crops. The team partnered with AGCO and Stinger to provide commercially available or prototype equipment and professional Page 7 of 19

8 equipment operators to carry out the actual harvesting and storage practices that were evaluated by OSU. The team partnered with Idaho National Laboratories to conduct the feedstock quality assessments. The harvesting component included 6 harvesting locations from fields in the Panhandle, Central and South Central Oklahoma; 4 harvesting dates; 3 years of harvesting data; use of commercial size equipment; 3 biomass feedstocks that included about 1074, 498 and 130 acres of switchgrass, perennial grasses and forage sorghum, respectively. The storage studies include: 4 locations; 4 harvest dates; 3 storage treatments; and 5 storage times. A total of 117 stacks were included and more than 23,000 core samples were pulled during the study. To date all the field work has been completed and the team is focused on data analyses and developing manuscripts. This research will expand the knowledge base on: 1) yield variability in key Oklahoma regions; 2) effect of harvest date on yield, machinery performance and feedstock storage; 3) effect of dual cut systems; 4) common cellulosic feedstock storage practices; 5) production costs; and 6) storage costs. Impact: 1) These projects will provide the crucial harvesting and storage data that is desperately needed by venture capitalists and larger companies looking to expanded into the cellulosic bioenergy industry. For Oklahoma, this work will prove to be invaluable as we continue the quest to establish a bioenergy industry within the state. 2) It was demonstrated that a common set of commercially available equipment could be used in a production scale biomass collection system in Oklahoma 3) We are solidifying the economic data in the logistics components of the cellulosic bioenergy supply chain 4) We are developing best management practices for Oklahoma producers 5) This research will be used in developing the best management practices for storing switchgrass, forage sorghum and mixed grass as a bioenergy feedstock. 6) This research will be used in determining the expected accuracy of moisture content measurements taken in large format square bale switchgrass, forage sorghum and mixed grass bales. 7) This research will provided the basis for a just-in-time delivery and logistics system Page 8 of 19

9 Source of Funding: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Stations, Hatch, Sun Grant Initiative South Central Region, USDA Biomass Research and Development Initiative Grant, DOE Industrial Partnership Projects for the Development of Supply Systems to Handle and Deliver High Tonnage Biomass Feedstocks for Cellulosic Biofuels Production Grant Scope of Impact: National Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) Page 9 of 19

10 Title: Eastern Redcedar Production Optimization Models Summary: Eastern Redcedar (ERC) is a substantial drain on the Oklahoma economy but has the potential to be an economic boon. A wide variety of commodities can be manufacture from ERC including cedar oil, biofuels, mulch, pharmaceuticals, lumber products, animal bedding, and pesticides. Dr. Buser and his team are developing an eastern redcedar production optimization model that will minimize the risk associated with developing new industries utilizing this invasive tree. By modeling the supply chain from harvest to final commodity, the profitability of specific industries can be estimated. The model will also provide a means of comparing cedar removal costs to the economic damage associated with ERC proliferation for cost-benefit analysis. Issue: Oklahoma s landscape has been dramatically altered by the spread of Eastern Redcedar, which covers nearly 27% of the Oklahoma land. This has resulted in economic losses of $447 million dollars annually due to wildfire, rangeland loss, lease hunting losses, water losses and damage to grassland bird habitat. The environmental damage caused by ERC encroachment in native grasslands is a major concern. A six inch tree consumes approximately seven gallons of water per day and at least five obligate grassland birds are negatively impacted by ERC. Unless management strategies are implemented in the preliminary stages of cedar encroachment, removal becomes increasingly cost prohibitive. A controlled burns, herbicidal treatment and mechanical removal are effective means of controlling the spread of ERC but range from $5 to $160 per acre depending on the level of infestation. It is extremely well documented that Eastern Redcedar has a negative impact on Oklahoma s economy and environment. What Will Be Done: To initiate development of robust, self-sustaining ERC industries, steps must be taken to identify and minimize risks within the ERC supply chain. Additionally, this information needs to be readily available to interested parties, seeking to take advantage of possible opportunities. The primary objective is to develop an economic feasibility model to evaluate and optimize supply chain strategies associated with ERC products. Although individual components will be sufficiently detailed for accurate analysis, the model is intended to be all-inclusive and cover the entire spectrum of an ERC supply chain. The NRCS has conducted studies of ERC coverage in several Oklahoma counties. This information will be used in conjunction with GIS network analysis tools to identify locations for potential facilities and evaluate transportation costs. Relevant data for machine systems involved in harvest, transport, processing, and refinement of ERC will be compiled in a MySQL database. Queuing theory will be used to optimize the system based on the database information and constraints provided by the client. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted on in the final report to represent the scope of possible outcomes and variation within the supply chain. To make the model more accessible it will be available online. Clients will create an account and run customized simulations based on their specific needs. Page 10 of 19

11 Impact(s): The OSU Eastern Redcedar Production Strategy Model will have a direct impact on Oklahoma. Primarily it will provide an accurate estimate of expected profit for the manufacture of several value added commodities produced from ERC. The current gross value of useable ERC trees in Oklahoma is estimated at approximately $36 billion. This represents a significant economic opportunity for the state to provide jobs and rural development while simultaneously bolstering Oklahoma hunting and cattle industries through removal of invasive ERC. Secondly, it provides a means of estimating mechanical removal costs to regain lost wildlife habitat. Although, removal would not provide the benefit of a cedar commodities industry, specific businesses in Oklahoma would benefit from removal contracts and the State as a whole would see direct benefits from cedar removal. This system is currently be modified to incorporate switchgrass. Lastly, the model could easily be extended to evaluate production strategies for bioenergy feedstocks such as forage sorghum or corn stover. This could be the final push to create a bioenergy economy in Oklahoma. Source of Funding: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Stations, Hatch Scope of Impact: National Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) buser@okstate.edu Page 11 of 19

12 Title: New Abatement Technologies for Nut Harvester Pick Up Machines Summary: Nut harvesting is considered a major contributor to particulate matter emissions in some areas of the country. Dr. Buser in the OSU Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department is working with researchers from the USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory (N.M.), New Mexico State University and Flory Industries (Cal.) to develop particulate matter abatement technologies for nut harvesters. Recent prototypes can be retro-fitted to commercially available harvesting equipment. Initial prototype tests have shown the new technology can remove 77 to 105 pounds of material per minute from the air stream. This represents a 90% plus reduction in air emissions from nut harvesters. Issue: Nut harvesting has been identified as a major source of particulate matter emissions. In some areas nut harvesting has been identified as the primary source of particulate matter emissions. Nut industries and regulatory agencies in several states are looking to implement new management practices or abatement technologies to reduce the particulate matter emissions produced during harvest. What Has Been Done: Dr. Buser is part of a research team that has designed and evaluated a low cost retrofit abatement device that can be used with existing pick-up machines to reduce particulate matter emissions. The research team includes Dr. Buser and researchers from the USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Mesilla Park, NM, faculty from New Mexico State University, and Flory Industries in Salida, CA. In initial tests, the new technology was shown to remove 77 to 105 pounds of material per minute from the air stream. This is a major reduction. During the test the team identified several design parameters that should be addressed prior to further testing. The team has also developed several new concepts that they plan to evaluate on a laboratory scale in the near future. Page 12 of 19

13 Impact: This innovative abatement technology design for nut harvesting pick-up machines provides producers the ability to remove more than 75 pounds of material per minute from the air stream. o This is a significant reduction in particulate matter emissions o Device is relatively low cost The significant reductions in particulate matter emissions achieved with this technology can improve the working conditions for the personnel operating the machinery and working in the immediate area Scope of Impact: multi-state Source of Funding: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Flory Industries Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Oklahoma State University 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) buser@okstate.edu Page 13 of 19

14 Title: Development of Particulate Matter Data for Dispersion Model Development and Evaluation Issue: Robust data sets for evaluating and developing particulate matter dispersion models is virtually non-existent. Generally model developers will evaluate new algorithms against other models and not actual data. Based on Dr. Buser s teams preliminary research, it has been observed that currently used particulate matter dispersion models are over predicting actual concentrations by 3.5 to 9 times. For the majority of industries being permitted based on modeling results, an over prediction by a factor of two is the difference between being in compliance or not. What Has Been Done: Dr. Buser in the OSU Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering is leading a multi-state research team. The research team includes the USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Mesilla Park, NM, USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Unit in Stoneville, MS, and USDA- ARS Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit in Lubbock, TX. The team is working with a cotton gin advisory group consisting of approximately 25 members from all cotton ginning associations in the United States, National Cotton Council, Cotton Incorporated, and Texas A&M University. The team is working with an air quality advisory group consisting of about 50 members from the National U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Region 4 (Atlanta), EPA Region 9 (San Francisco), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, California Air Resources Board, San Joaquin Unified Air Pollution Control District, USDA NRCS Air Quality and Climate Change and other USDA ARS scientists. This highly collaborative team has conducted stack and ambient particulate matter sampling tests in California, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri and North Carolina. These are the largest single site particulate sampling campaigns ever conducted. During a single sampling campaign 100 to 130 ambient sampling points are strategically placed around the facility, this is ten times larger than most ambient sampling campaigns previously conducted. In addition to ambient sampling, the research team is developing average emission rate for each of the point sources. The team is actively compiling the enormous dataset and developing plans to conduct the final large scale control release study. Upon completion, this particulate matter data set will be the largest and most complete resource of its kind. Page 14 of 19

15 Impact: Use of the developed particulate matter data set could be used by model developers to significantly improve the accuracy and precision of dispersion models Industry could see reduced regulatory pressures due to regulatory agencies using models that are validated against actual data o For example, one specific cotton gin that Dr. Buser has worked with is required to pay a fine on all bales produces over 36,000. This specific gin generally produces 80,000 bales per year. If our data set shows that the dispersion model used by the regulatory agency to permit the gin over predicts by even a factor of two then the gin could produce about 80,000 bales with no fines. State implementation plans could be refined as source level indicators will likely change based on modeling results Scope of Impact: National Source of Funding: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cotton Incorporated, Cotton Foundation, California Cotton Growers and Ginners Association, Texas Cotton Ginners Association, Southern Cotton Ginners Association, Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, Texas State Support Group, and San Joaquin Valleywide Air Pollution Study Agency. Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Oklahoma State University 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) buser@okstate.edu Page 15 of 19

16 Title: Particulate Matter Abatement Technology Summary: Particulate matter abatement technology development and evaluation studies have over the past 50 plus years. Although there is great deal of information in the literature about abatement device design and performance, it is extremely difficult to compare how one device will compare to another given specific operating parameters such as the type of material being processed or inlet velocity. This difficulty stems from the lack of a uniform evaluation protocol. Through this project a uniform evaluation system and testing protocol were developed by Dr. Buser. These tools have been and continue to be used evaluate the effectiveness of particulate matter abatement technologies. This work is being used by industry and regulatory agencies in developing and reviewing facility operating and construction permits and as a decision making tool in selecting abatement technologies for facilities emitting particulate matter. Issue: As federal and state PM regulations change in terms of the specified indicator (e.g. total suspended particulate, PM10, PM2.5, etc.), the basis for determining abatement technology efficiencies must change. In the 1970 s, total suspended particulate (TSP) was the regulated pollutant and numerous reports were published comparing various cyclone designs and TSP collection efficiency. Currently, PM2.5 is a regulated pollutant and there are very few reports comparing cyclone designs and PM2.5 collection efficiency. What Has Been Done: A particulate matter abatement device evaluation system has been designed, developed, and constructed and has been used to evaluate baffle type pre-separators, series cyclones, and the scalability of cyclones. These studies have shown that two 1D3D cyclones in series were more effective (97%) than a single 1D3D cyclone (91%); used to define the optimum baffle placement and inlet air velocity in terms of collection efficiency for the baffle-type pre-separator; and provided fundamental scalability cyclone research which showed that collection efficiency for 10 micron PM decreased from 99.5% to 94.5% as cyclone diameter increased from 6 to 36 in. Currently studies are being conduct to directly compare different cyclone designs that are currently being used in industry. In addition to evaluating and improving current device/system designs, new abatement technologies are being developed such as a device for reducing PM emissions from almond and pecan harvesting operations. Page 16 of 19

17 Impact: This research can be utilized by industry and regulatory agencies to predict the effectiveness of a given abatement technology or technologies to reduce particulate matter emissions from a source with defined characteristics. o Can be used in prescription technologies for multi-point facilities o Example of recent industry application: a feed supplement company was given a notice of violation for excessive emissions. This company was facing closure due to the quantity of particulate matter being emitted from the facility. In addition, the company had a market for the material been emitted so it was missing out on potential sales. The company invested about $80,000 and installed new cyclones based on the criteria from this research and prior to the existing abatement devices. This system enhancement improved the facilities abatement system efficiency by 98%, increased average annual revenues by $470,423, and kept the plant from closure. Scope of Impact: International Source of Funding: USDA Agricultural Research Service and Cotton Incorporated. Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Oklahoma State University 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) buser@okstate.edu Page 17 of 19

18 Title: Whole-Chain Traceability Summary: Dr. Buser and his team are focused on developing and implementing an internet-based, stakeholder-driven traceability and marketing system for agricultural commodities that provides a method to limit and remedy food safety outbreaks and bio-security breaches. Furthermore, the system will enable marketing, value-added and quality standards information to be attached to the products by the producers, processors or retailers and a feedback opportunity for consumers, retailers and/or processors to rate product quality and/or value. Dr. Buser is working with The Samuel Robert Noble Foundation, Top 10 Produce and the University of Arkansas. Issue: Traceability is a key component in developing a safe food supply, as evidenced by the recent outbreak of foodborne illnesses attributed to spinach, peppers, and tomatoes in the United States and the ongoing e-coli outbreak in Europe with 27 deaths reported to date. The European Union has agreed to pay over $300 million to farmers who suffered losses due to the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control reported that salmonella infection rates are on the rise with one million people sickened by food-borne pathogens each year. Unfortunately, the current approach to product traceability is one-up, one-back information sharing at the GTIN (global trade item number) lot level. This type of traceability system has many disadvantages, including lack of privacy, and fails to maximize system benefits such as efficiency and more complete or wholechain information sharing. This approach is fraught with inherent delays, limiting consumers and regulators ability to identify the contaminant source and limiting mitigation efforts in the event of outbreaks or bioterrorism. This lack of critical information can cause significant economic losses to multiple industries resulting from public uncertainty on the potential for human hazard. This uncertainty can and will affect industries ultimately found to not be related to outbreaks. Conversely, research suggests that whole-chain traceability can substantially limit the economic loss of food safety events. What Has Been Done: The long-term goal of this project is to develop and implement an internet-based stakeholderdriven traceability and marketing system for food products that is not punitive or profit- limiting but that adds value to the process while providing a method to limit and remedy food safety outbreaks and biosecurity breaches. This system will include data input by producers, vendors, and consumers. This data not only provides information to facilitate mitigation but also marketing information, value-added details, cultural and sociological features about the production or handling of the produce, quality standards criteria, and a feedback opportunity for consumers to rate or improve product quality. Data will be controlled within the context of a multi-tenant social media system. In the proposed system, stakeholders, particularly producers, will maintain granular privacy control over access to data. This is critical, since the ability to trace food through a supply chain depends on private firms sharing product information with Page 18 of 19

19 competitors as well as collaborators. If they are not assured of privacy control over information, they may refuse to participate in the system. The resulting field-tested system will be built using GS1 GTIN identification. This system will interface with internationally recognized and active traceability and marketing systems. It will interface with social networking internet opportunities and consumer information technologies. This system incorporates both traceability functions for food safety and biosecurity and data marketing functions. The data marketing functions will provide producers and processors an opportunity to develop new revenue streams by deploying new and innovative marketing strategies that make use of cell phone technologies and GIS graphic mapping web applications. This system will reduce the mitigation time related to food safety emergencies. Producers will feel confident in their data security within the system because they control who has the ability to access their data access. Consumers will feel secure in the information they access because of the stakeholder- driven input built into the system. One of the benefits of a stakeholder system (producers, processors, consumers, and regulators) is bringing people on both ends of the spectrum closer together by sharing data, enhancing the farm-to-fork relationship. Potential Impacts: Through the availability of real time item level product information, consumers will see value added commodities, thus providing a sustainable profit edge for producers and a safe food supply to consumers. Data will be in place to quickly mitigate food safety outbreaks or agroterrorism, thus providing safety for consumers and economic security for agricultural industries. Use of GS1 and GTIN s will allow easy interface with international markets that already use the GTIN system. This provides additional safety for imported and exported products. It has been estimated that U.S. beef and pork producers could generate additional revenue of $41.7 million per year if they implemented a traceability system. For Oklahoma, this additional revenue was estimated to be $2 million per year. It has been estimated that the collective benefits of whole-chain traceability system could represent $3 billion per year to the fresh foods industry as a whole in the U.S. Scope of Impact: International Source of Funding: USDA National Integrated Food Safety Initiative Contact: Dr. Michael Buser Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Oklahoma State University 113 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK (405) buser@okstate.edu Page 19 of 19