Livestock Odour Dispersion Modeling: A Review

Abstract This paper reviewed the studies of livestock odour dispersion modeling including odor sources, odor emission rate, odor characteristics and measurements, odor dispersion modeling methods, and methods and results of adapting industrial air dispersion models for livestock odor dispersion simulations. The Gaussian plume models, Puff models, Fluctuating models and other models that have been used in livestock odour dispersion modeling were explicitly reviewed. Research work on validation or evaluation of industrial air dispersion models using various field odour plume measurement results and the various relationships between odour concentration and odour intensity generated by different studies were also discussed. Although many Gaussian models have been applied in livestock odour dispersion and achieved relatively satisfactory results, there are many differences between industrial gas and livestock odour, including emission sources, travel distance, measurement methods, that can challenge the use of Gaussian models. Since the existing commercial models are originally designed for industrial gas dispersion, it is necessary to develop a new model that can accurately predict livestock odour concentrations downwind the sources. Finally, a fluctuating model that can deal with multiple sources and variable emission rates was suggested for livestock odour dispersion with proper diffusion coefficients within the interest short distance.