Dental News - Bioengineers 'floss' bad gas from animal waste

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 15 August 2011

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas, USA: A material used in the production of dental floss has shown the potential to capture a large amount of hazardous gases before they are released in the environment. In an experiment conducted on liquid animal manure, engineers from Texas A&M University’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering in the U.S. were able to extract 50 percent of ammonia emissions with the help of tubes based on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), a highly versatile polymer used to manufacture fibers for cleaning teeth.

In recent years, ammonia emissions from the breeding of cattle and other livestock have been recognised by scientists to contribute siginificantly to environmental problems such as the condamination of grounding water and acidification of soil and vegetation. The largest two producers, the US and China, currently release over 15 million tons of ammonia into to the environment, figures from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggest.

Besides nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, the gas accounts for the third largest air pollutant emissions worldwide.

The new technology, developed by Drs Saqib Mukhtar and MD Burhan, uses the process of diffusion, where gases migrate from places of higher to lower concentration such as the ePTFE tubes. There they can be concentrated to ammonia sulphate, a chemical compound used to fertilize soil, amongst other things. Although still being in testing stage, the scientists announced to extend the technology to be used on a larger scale anytime soon.

Common methods to reduce ammonia emmissions include the use of other bio-filters and chemicals as well as acidic solution-sprayed scrubbers.

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