method for managing and apparatus for monitoring methane emissions from a ruminant

专利摘要:
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND REDUCING THE PRODUCTION OF RUMINANT METHANE A method and system for reducing methane emissions from ruminants. The method includes providing a food distributor for feeding ruminants with nutrient supplements, and the food distributor includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining whether a particular ruminant has accessed the food dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and triggering the food dispenser to provide a nutrient supplement feed controlling methane. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine the levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analysis station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modifying the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for the next feed to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled via an Internet connection.
公开号:BR112012026452B1
申请号:R112012026452-4
申请日:2011-04-14
公开日:2020-08-25
发明作者:Patrick R. Zimmerman；Scott Zimmerman
申请人:C-Lock Inc.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[0001] [0001] This claim claims the benefit of North American Provisional Application No. 61 / 342,644, filed on April 16, 2010, and North American Provisional Application No. 61 / 401,466, filed on August 13, 2010, and the application is a partial continuation of US Patent Application No. 12 / 469,882, filed on May 21, 2009, which claims to benefit from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 055,933 filed on May 23, 2008 , and North American Provisional Order No. 61 / 209,179 filed on March 4, 2009, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] [0002] The present invention relates to methods of monitoring ruminant gas emissions and using information to reduce methane emissions from ruminants, to increase the efficiency of ruminant production, and to monitor the health of individual animals . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] [0003] Carbon dioxide is a major component of the metabolism of all vertebrate animals. Animals breathe air. The oxygen in the air is captured in the lungs by hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygenated blood is distributed to the cells throughout the animal where it supplies key building blocks for the cells, and oxygen is used to metabolize or "burn" the carbon compounds, supplying the energy necessary for cellular processes. The carbon dioxide produced during this aerobic metabolism is then transported back to the lungs with deoxygenated blood and breathed as carbon dioxide (and few other gaseous waste products) in the animal's breath. In addition to the lungs, ruminant animals have a digestive tract compartment called the rumen that houses microbes that process grass in the absence of oxygen. This anaerobic fermentation produces large amounts of microbial protein. The end result is that ruminants are able to convert material with very low vegetable protein into building blocks that are subsequently assimilated by the ruminant as food and microbial waste passes through the digestive tract.
[0004] [0004] As the fermentation of forage material in the rumen is completely completed in the absence of oxygen, large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide are formed. These gases form in the rumen and create a pressure that needs to be released. As a ruminant animal (such as a cow) exhales, the gaseous contents are forced from the rumen into the esophagus where it is exhaled (eructated-belched) before an exhalation. These eructations or belches are not optional. For a well-fed animal, they need to occur approximately every forty seconds or the animal will swell. Most of the gases produced in the rumen are erected through the animal's nose. A small amount is dissolved in the blood and much of it is released through the lungs. The process is ecologically significant because it allows ruminant animals to use relatively low quality forage as food and process it anaerobically, creating nutritious by-products and microbial protein that are used by the animal to produce high quality meat and milk. The gas flows of ruminants are influenced by the animal's genetics, food composition, consumption and behavior. Consequently, changes in any of these parameters are likely to be quickly reflected in the flows of methane and carbon dioxide that are emitted during the ruminant animal's breathing and eructations.
[0005] [0005] Routine measurements of ruminant methane and carbon dioxide emission flows and flows of other metabolic gases, if possible and cost-effective, would provide very sensitive indicators to monitor and regulate the animal's function. This would be a lot like using engine exhaust analysis to monitor performance and regulate fuel flow, combustion time, and air mixtures to maintain the optimal performance of a car engine. Changes in methane and carbon dioxide flows could inform management of the optimal feed composition, the genetic efficiency of the feed of individual animals, and changes in the animal's health and behavior. In addition, methane emissions, while necessary, still represent a significant potential loss in feed efficiency of approximately five to ten percent of the animal's gross energy intake. That equates to about a third to about half a pound of potential weight gain lost per day. Therefore, changes in management that reduce methane flows can also potentially result in a net reduction of several dollars in feed costs per animal per day.
[0006] [0006] In modern, high volume, low margin CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations), thousands of animals are welcomed and fed in very close quarters with a minimum workforce. Under these conditions, it is difficult or impossible to individually monitor the health of each animal. However, intensive observation and individualized monitoring can be economically important. For example, many diseases if they are undiagnosed and treated quickly can quickly create epidemics within a confined herd. The new equipment in modern dairy products can be used to monitor the production of milk and other physical characteristics for each animal. However, until a problem is detected in the final products of an animal's metabolism, it is usually too late to prevent the loss of an individual or to prevent the spread of disease to others in the herd. Of course, new technologies are needed to efficiently monitor each individual in large populations confined under conditions of overcrowding.
[0007] [0007] Regardless of disease monitoring, the operator's perception of changes in individual animal behavior that are reflected in changes in pasture behavior and animal activity can be economically important. For example, research literature indicates that when an animal enters estrus (estrus), pasture intake decreases and its general movement activity increases. These changes signal the ideal time for inseminating the animal to obtain pregnancy. These behavioral changes are therefore also likely to be reflected quickly in the flows of methane and in the ratios of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Similarly, changes in feed quality or composition that can occur when feed ingredients are modified or when livestock are moved to new pastures are likely to impact both flows and metabolic gas emissions ratios.
[0008] [0008] In western feedlots, the distiller's grain, which is a by-product of the production of methanol from corn, is a preferred food. However, ethanol factories often use sulfur-containing compounds to clean and disinfect factory facilities. The residue from these compounds can contaminate a grain of the distiller. When feedlot cattle subsequently consume the grain, hydrogen sulfide is produced in the rumen. If it is not noticed immediately, the result is usually the death of the animal. Routine monitoring of the animal's breath to detect hydrogen sulfide could therefore lead to the early detection of contaminated food and prevent major economic losses for the CAFO industry.
[0009] [0009] Individual monitoring to continuously assess the animal's performance in natural pastures can be equally problematic. It is generally difficult for producers and operators to assess the quality and quantity of forage available in pastures and to quantitatively determine the changes in forage that occur as pasture occurs. The literature has documented that changes in forage quality are reflected in changes in methane and carbon dioxide flows from ruminants. Therefore, monitoring flows can potentially inform producers to maximize pasture effectiveness and maintain sustainable productivity.
[0010] [0010] On natural pastures, animals are generally not easily approached and handled. In addition, grazing animals have developed behavioral mechanisms to hide the vulnerability of potential predators. Therefore, routine diagnostic and comparative observations of animals to assess health and performance are relatively difficult and costly. Automated monitoring of metabolic gases could inform managers of changes in the health of individual animals. In some natural pastures, toxic substances, such as some sulfur compounds, can accumulate in vegetation and water supplies. These substances can result in ruminant mortality. So, routine monitoring of metabolic gases in particular, such as hydrogen sulfide, which are produced by an animal could alert producers to mitigate adverse impacts on the herd.
[0011] [0011] Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a GHG potential of approximately 25 times that of carbon dioxide. Some scientists estimate that livestock contributes up to thirty-seven percent of the total global methane budget (CH4). Dairy and meat production operations are therefore identified as a very large global producer of GHGs, with the largest component of their emission footprints resulting from the production of methane in animal rumors. Consequently, the global CAFO community has made a commitment to reduce the impact of GHG that results from the production of animal products such as meat and milk.
[0012] [0012] The emission of methane from bovine sources, the majority of which is through burping, can be significantly reduced by modifying the livestock diet and other management actions. Attempts to reduce methane emissions typically involve using blocks of nutrients or other food supplements while other efforts have been focused on modifying the genetic makeup of the livestock. To date, efforts to potentially measure and remedy this source of GHG from ruminants have not been considered viable or widely implemented in part due to the high costs related to monitoring CH4 emission from ruminants in coordination or concomitantly with measurement. of using the supplement.
[0013] [0013] Before the invention described here, it was impractical to actually monitor the changes in the production of animal GHG that result from such efforts. The difficulties and cost of current technology, even for the scientists involved in this research, made it impractical and inexpensive to perform more than a few measurements over a relatively short period of time for only a few animals and only in tightly controlled research settings. Therefore, as it is difficult to verify that mitigation plans actually result in the reduction of methane emissions to the atmosphere, few projects have been attempted to generate carbon credits or greenhouse gas reduction credits for sale in voluntary markets. Likewise, the development of GHG reduction programs for ruminant emissions in the regulated countries' GHG markets has also been inhibited due to the lack of adequate monitoring and verification techniques.
[0014] [0014] The loss of methane is a significant loss of energy for the animal. Overall, this is equivalent to trillions of dollars of lost diet efficiency. Animal nutritionists know that the metabolic pathways in the rumen can be modified by the diet to reduce methane production and to process food more efficiently. Several food supplements are available, and in many cases, the cost of the nutrient supplement is easily exceeded by the animal's weight gains, making the use of supplements attractive to ruminant producers such as the livestock industry. Consequently, the reduction of methane emissions by ruminants can help animals become more productive per unit of fodder or feed while also reducing undesirable methane emissions. When animals eat low-quality fodder, it actually takes longer to pass through their intestines. So, the lower the quality of the forage, the longer the animal will take to digest the forage, and this will result in lower weight gain but more methane production. However, since monitoring changes in methane performance under real field conditions has been difficult or impossible to achieve in the past, it is not practical to modify the composition of the forage to minimize methane losses or to monitor and modify the genetic factors that influence the production of ruminant methane. A system that can monitor changes in relative methane emissions could therefore provide important information for ruminant producers regarding ideal forage and pasture conditions. In addition, as animals fed a highly energetic diet process that feed more quickly, they produce more methane per unit time, but much less methane per unit of meat or milk production. Therefore, it may also be important to measure methane and carbon dioxide from the rumen, as well as carbon dioxide from the animal's breath in order to differentiate rumen processes from catabolic and respiratory processes and to measure its emissions with measurements of animal production, such as animal weight gain and / or animal milk production.
[0015] [0015] US Patent No. 5,265,618 discloses a system that measures the flow of metabolic gas emissions from cattle or other animals. The system does not require animals to be confined in a chamber or pen. An animal whose metabolic gas emissions are measured is first fed with a permeation tube (that is, a metal tube with a gas-permeable plastic disc at one end). Inside the tube there is a flag that is physiologically inert. The permeation tube is filled with the pressurized liquid flare, which slowly permeates in gaseous form through the plastic disc. In order to measure the respiratory and metabolic gases produced by the rumen, a sample container, such as an evacuated container or an inflatable collar, is placed on the animal. A small diameter sample tube is attached from the sample container to a halter and encloses somewhere near the animal's mouth. When the animal breathes, it exhales metabolic gases as well as the flare. An air sample containing both the metabolic gases and the signal gas is then collected through the sample tube. Since the rate of permeation of the signal is known and constant, the ratio of the flow of a given metabolic gas to the flow of the signal gas is equal to the ratio of the mixing ratios of the respective gases in the air sample is collected. The rate of metabolic gas flow from the animal's rumen is then readily calculated by measuring the metabolic gas and the signal mixing ratios in the sample thus collected. This technique is not well suited for accurate measurements of carbon dioxide flows, as concentrations are relatively high and variable. In addition, this technique is difficult to use for metabolic gases such as hydrogen sulfide or oxygenated organic compounds that degrade during storage in sample containers. This system also requires that the animal's substantial handling and training be effective. Furthermore, it is not practical for animals that cannot tolerate a halter, which can include large percentages of a herd of ruminants. Also, the system can provide only integrated time values that represent the middle rumen respiratory and catabolic processes. The system cannot be used to track short-term changes nor can it isolate rumen processes from respiratory processes related to catabolism.
[0016] [0016] Schemes to convert the increased metabolic efficiency of ruminant into tradable GHG shifts have not been financially viable. Despite mineral blocks, other effective nutrient supplements and rumen-modifying antibiotics and ionophores are effective in reducing methane production and in many cases cost only a few cents a day, at the current value of greenhouse gas (GHG) displacements , compliance, documentation, and monitoring costs exceed the amount of GHG displacements that can be generated. Also, animals fed with low quality forage have lower rates of methane emission per unit time than animals fed with high quality diets. However, the emission of methane as a function of raw energy input is much higher for an animal fed low quality fodder compared to an animal fed a high quality diet. Consequently, methane per animal production unit is much higher for low quality and poorly digested fodder when compared to animals fed a high quality digestible diet. The specific nutrients that are lacking in low quality forage can be supplemented through the use of nutrient feeders to stimulate digestibility, resulting in increased efficiency and lower methane emissions per unit of animal production. Therefore, it may be desirable to document relative changes in methane emission rates and may not always be necessary to measure methane flows per unit of time. That is, changes in methane ratios compared to carbon dioxide for respiration as well as rumen gas per unit of production can provide the information needed to document changes in animal performance that lead to quantifiable methane reductions and can generate carbon credits. .
[0017] [0017] However, measurement of methane and carbon dioxide emissions from the rumen and differentiation of this flow from carbon dioxide measurements resulting from catabolism over shorter periods of time are necessary in order to track the energy flows through a particular ruminant and to document the efficiency of meat and milk production in a way that facilitates interactive treatment to improve production efficiency and lower methane emissions per unit of production. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] [0018] One or more modalities of the invention provide an implementation of an animal monitoring station that can measure emissions of methane and / or emissions of carbon dioxide and / or other metabolic gases such as hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide. Changes in methane ratios compared to carbon dioxide can be used to indicate changes in metabolic efficiency, and these measured emissions ratios and metabolic efficiency changes may be marked in some modalities along with additional data that is subsequently stored for an animal individual and / or on a herd basis in the system's memory or data storage. Furthermore, this data can be sent to a computer where numerical models or other calculations can be performed (for example, with programs or software modules executed by the computer) to transform the data into methane streams, carbon dioxide streams , and flows of other metabolic gases that can be measured at the animal's monitoring station. In addition, either an internal (ie, from the animal) or an external (ie, from an external source) flag can be incorporated into the system. In this case, halters or other devices may not be necessary, and animals may not require handling or containment while the flow of methane and carbon dioxide and other metabolic gas flows is measured directly from each animal.
[0019] [0019] For example, in an exemplary but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the gaseous emissions of a ruminant are monitored, methane emissions are determined, and the ruminant's food supply is adjusted or supplemented or the ruminant is somehow treated to reduce methane emissions. In some modalities, the non-dispersed infrared instruments monitor carbon dioxide and methane emitted by a ruminant. Alternatively, measurements of methane and carbon dioxide emissions and other metabolic gases are obtained using methods such as solid state sensors, tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), other infrared-based methods, flame ionization detection / miniaturized gas chromatography (GC / FID), proton transfer reactor mass spectroscopy, lower ring cavity spectroscopy, or other miniaturized mass spectrometry. In other cases, it can also be determined by collecting periodic gas samples, either in containers or on solid or liquid substrates, subjected to further analysis using gas chromatography or using many other available analytical techniques.
[0020] [0020] The information obtained, therefore, can be considered by programs / software modules executed by one or more computers / processors in the system together with animal statistics available from a database stored in system memory or in some accessible way (for example, via wired or wireless connections to a digital communications network such as the Internet or an intranet or the like) and / or from information associated with an RFID tag attached to the ruminant, which may include heredity information, for example, if the animal is weaned, its age, its internal body temperature, its weight and other physiological parameters, animal genetic information, and the like (for example, the RFID tag can have readable memory or can provide an identifier that can be used to retrieve this information from the system, or in some available / accessible way, data storage or memory). Alternative methods for identifying individual animals may include eye / retina patterns, laser-printed bar codes or alphanumeric codes, facial pattern recognition, gases or chemical compounds emitted in the breath or from other parts of the animal. Based on the emission information and other information about the ruminant, one or more programs or software modules determine a prescription or supplement mix (for example, supplements and specific quantities for each supplement chosen). The system can then be operated in such a way that one of a plurality of supplements and / or a particular amount of a supplement or a plurality of supplements is offered to the ruminant by operating a feeding station (for example, control transmitted by the controller / operator from the methane reduction and monitoring system to feed station supplement / food distribution devices).
[0021] [0021] Alternatively, animal information can be used to determine the frequency and / or quantity of a supplement food or any "bait" to be supplied by the feeder in order to attract the animal, to identify the animal, and to attract it to place its mouth and nostrils in close proximity to the feeder's air intake so that the animal's metabolic gas emissions can be measured qualitatively and / or quantitatively. Alternatively, the metabolic gas sampling system can be integrated into a drinker unit, a mineral dispenser, a salt lick, a supplement feeder, or a bait dispenser, so that the animal puts its nose and mouth in a position to result in a measurement of methane, carbon dioxide, and / or other metabolic gases emitted from the animal.
[0022] [0022] In a method of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a ruminant presents itself in a feeding station in which the carbon dioxide and methane emitted by the ruminant in its breath are measured. Other measurements can also be taken and forwarded to the data logger. These data can be provided by the individual sensors and stored in a ruminant and in a methane monitoring database. In other cases, this data can be derived from signals read from the animal's RFID ear tag and read in the data logger. In some embodiments, at least one determination is made on the methane production by the animal (for example, by a methane monitoring module performed by the computer / processor to determine emissions / methane production and / or to process the emission ratios of methane and carbon dioxide to determine a current metabolic efficiency for the animal). Additional determinations that can be made include the identification of one or more supplements or a mixture of supplements and an amount or quantities of these to offer the ruminant to reduce the determined methane emission that could be expected to occur subsequently if the ruminant's diet does not modified. The data collected at the animal measurement station can be stored in an internal data recorder or they can be transmitted via a wired connection or via a wireless signal to a remote location for processing.
[0023] [0023] According to one aspect, a ruminant methane feed station can be built and instrumented to operate in different ways. In one example, the feeding station includes a protective cover to restrict the effects of the wind and / or to serve to concentrate the animal's breathing. In this case, an animal, such as a cow, would insert its head into an opening. As the animal approaches the monitoring station, a sensor can be used to read an ear tag (for example, a tag including a chip or RFID tag) to determine the animal's identity. Additional information can also be provided such as the age and type of the animal. Based on this information, a specific nutrient mixture could be released by the selective operation of feed distributors at the feed station. In a useful embodiment, the mixture is designed to reduce the production of methane by the ruminant. The determinations that control the type and quantity of nutrients performed by the software modules executed by the system's computer (s) can be based on the input from sensors mounted inside the feeding station and based on the proximity of the feeding station. food. The information collected could include animal weight to determine animal weight gain, methane and carbon dioxide emission ratios while at / near the feed station to determine the animal's metabolic efficiency, and / or additional measurements so useful for documenting performance and generating CERCs (Carbon Emission Reduction Credits).
[0024] [0024] In one example, the unit is designed to operate based on information collected in the field. In other examples, the instrument can be programmed remotely and operated by a remote computer containing resident data or the animal's monitoring unit can be operated remotely and manually by a human operator. In one example, the human can access the animal's metabolic gas monitor and observe its operation via a remote video link and operate the unit remotely in an example accessing the specific unit via the Internet. The operator can then use the software specially designed to monitor and control the animal's monitoring unit. In one embodiment, the operator can use a smart-phone type such as a DROID ™ available from Motorola, a BLACKBERRY® available from Research in Motion Limited, or any cell phone with enhanced capability as an operator interface. In another example, the operator can use a laptop computer or a standard office computer with an Internet connection to remotely monitor and operate the animal's measurement system.
[0025] [0025] In another example, in addition to measuring the ratios of methane and carbon dioxide in the animal's breathing, the insertion of the animal's head in a feeding hat, stall, feeding station or drinking station triggers the release of a particular flow rate flag. The flag is preferably in some embodiments an inert gas such as sulfur hexafluoride, butane, propane or another chemical compound that is measured with the instrumentation installed in the supply station. The flag dilution is used to correct methane and carbon dioxide measurements for atmospheric dilution effects. In this way, the flow of methane and carbon dioxide can be determined in addition to the ratios of metabolic methane and carbon dioxide.
[0026] [0026] In another example or modality, the animal's breath is used as an indicator of atmospheric dilution. As a ruminant's breath is saturated with water, changes in water vapor measured by a particular sensor provided at the feeding station are sometimes used to document the mixture. Alternatively, the mixture could be determined by monitoring other gases or compounds that occur naturally in the ruminant's breath such as low molecular weight alcohols and organic acids. From this information, the absolute flows of methane could be measured / determined by software / hardware provided in a modality of the ruminant's monitoring system. In another modality, daytime rumination cycles are captured by confining animals outside the feeder until specific times of the day. For example, an animal could typically approach the GreenFeed system or the feeding station at a specific time of day. The system could be programmed / controlled so that no supplement was provided unless the animal approached at a different time. In this case, a visual or audio stimulus is sometimes provided by the GreenFeed system when it is "live" to distribute the nutrient supplement (or attractive food). The system is therefore programmed to capture the processes of ruminants at different times throughout the day cycle and, therefore, to define / determine the behavior of the methane flow. In another modality, the system is programmed so that private individuals are distributed supplements at alternative time-period times and only a placebo during other periods of time. In this way, changes in methane emissions associated with the application of a particular treatment are determined and stored more unambiguously in memory or in the monitoring / tracking database (for example, documented).
[0027] [0027] In an additional modality, a nutrient block system is provided to monitor current breath methane and carbon dioxide concentrations as well as the belching of ruminant animals while they are in a pasture. The feed station or system part of the monitoring system appears to be similar to a covered salt container mounted on a low pole. The nutrient block can be surrounded in the whole except on one side by a cover. The uncovered side has an opening large enough for an animal to insert its head and access the nutrient block or container (s) of one or more nutrients. Mounted below the cover is an RFID tag reader to activate and read / receive information about each animal from its RFID ear tag. The nutrient block station may further include a methane / carbon dioxide monitor, a data logger, and / or a communication device (ie, a Bluetooth transmitter, a cell phone with a modem, or the like). The station may in some cases contain a global satellite positioning chip (GPS) to obtain and collect information about the location of the unit and the time of day it was accessed by the animal. Again, this information can be stored by the data recorder at the feed station or in a differentiation data storage device, such as a centralized data store used to store a database collected from a plurality of said stations. feed and / or for a group of animals or a monitored herd of ruminants. In some cases, the system is powered by batteries recharged by solar cells, although other sources of energy can be used readily.
[0028] [0028] In an operational method for a methane monitoring and production control system, when an animal approaches the nutrient block station of a modality of the present invention, the system switches on for a specified period of time to monitor and document methane / carbon dioxide ratios, the animal's identification number (as read from an RFID-based ear tag), time (from a system clock at the feed station), and / or the location of the station (from a feed and search station identifier, from a GPS chip, or similar). Based on information collected and obtained and based on determinations made based on information by the system software, a supplement becomes available via the selective operation of feed distributors at the feed station for the animal to control, reduce, or maintain methane emissions at a currently desired level (for example, a target methane emission level can be stored in the system memory for each animal in a monitored herd and the system can compare a currently determined emission rate with the target level to determine whether one or more supplements must be provided and in what quantities to increase, decrease, or maintain methane emission levels for the animal being fed). In some cases, the animal is likely to consume one to two ounces of supplement per day, and the amount of supplement consumed per animal can be controlled by modifying the salt content of the supplement (for example, not only prescribing / controlling supplements and their quantities, as well as controlling additives provided with said supplement mix to encourage the supplement (s) to be consumed).
[0029] [0029] In another operational method for the methane monitoring and production control system, the methane measurements obtained when the animal is visiting the animal monitoring unit are compared with the methane and methane gas emissions archived for that animal in particular. If the flows currently measured are outside the prescribed limits, a data flag is produced and a message is sent to the producer / manager notifying him or her that the animal is not functioning normally. In another operational method, when the process described above occurs, the animal is tagged with an electronic or visual tag. For example, the animal monitoring unit can be attached to a container that distributes ink. When the animal's metabolic gas flows or its composition is outside a specified limit, the ink unit distributes the ink so that the particular animal is readily identified for closer examination by workers.
[0030] [0030] In another operational method for the animal's metabolic gas monitoring system, measurements for an individual animal may indicate an increase in carbon dioxide emissions with or without a corresponding reduction in methane emissions. If changes in metabolic gas component ratios and / or changes in metabolic gas component flows are outside the specified limits for that animal, an alert is sent and / or the animal is flagged to indicate to managers that the animal is on fire (or in heat) and the ideal time to mate is near.
[0031] [0031] In yet another method of operating the animal monitoring unit, data for each individual animal are combined to determine trend data for the entire herd. If, for example, the data indicates that methane and carbon dioxide are decreasing for the herd regardless of a consistent diet, then the data can alert a manager that key nutrients may be lacking, thereby reducing the use of forage regardless of a constant power source. Alternatively, long-term trends to monitor metabolic gases that change for the entire herd can be used to document changes in efficiency that lead to reduced methane emissions and, potentially, the generation of carbon emission reduction credits.
[0032] [0032] In another method of operation of the animal monitoring unit, the data for each individual animal are compared with its historical data and / or the average data of the herd. If, for example, the animal's methane production falls below the specified limits for a series of specified monitoring periods, the animal is scheduled for closer examination. For example, these changes could signal an early onset of mastitis.
[0033] [0033] In another method of operation, data from the monitoring unit can be combined with data from other independent sensors, and the data is processed to identify and inform operators and managers. For example, the animal monitoring unit could contain a floor mat inside an alley leading to the unit. If the pressure sensors detect a change in animal weight distribution coupled with a change (probably a reduction) in rumen methane and carbon dioxide and (possibly an increase) in respiratory carbon dioxide, the animal is marked and operators are notified that more careful inspection for lameness is warranted.
[0034] [0034] In another example, the animal monitoring unit can be deployed in a feedlot. The sensors can include a solid state sensor or another sensor to monitor the hydrogen sulfide in the animal's breathing. If hydrogen sulfide streams in particular are detected, operators will be immediately alerted, for example, via a cell phone that the food may contain dangerous levels of sulfur-containing compounds and the feeding regime can be changed immediately.
[0035] [0035] In practice, the station can be strategically placed in a field near a congregation point such as a water source with a typical feeding station serving a relatively large number of animals, such as a station serving 40 to 100 animals. The system can be loaded with a mineral placebo block to document baseline methane emissions for livestock and pasture. In this way, the mineral supplement can be added to document GHG reductions, so that each animal, as well as the entire herd, can be monitored in a cost-effective manner. If the exact or more accurate emission rates of methane and carbon dioxide are considered useful (for example, rather than relative changes in metabolic efficiency), an ideal signal release system can be incorporated into the system. The label release system uses a third chemical species (for example, butane, propane, or an inert fluorocarbon that could be emitted at a set rate). The dilution of the flare is then used to correct the limited atmospheric mixture that can occur when the animal's head is "below the protective cover". This may not be used in some implementations, however, as the concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide below the protective cover are likely to be many times higher than the concentrations in the environment and efficiency gains can be documented with the ratio of two gases without the absolute emission rate.
[0036] [0036] In a preferred implementation of the signaling technique, a solenoid valve is activated by an operator or remotely through an automated program. The flare release system incorporates a flow control system so that the flow rate from the flare reservoir remains constant. The flare gas is directed to be released close to the animals' mouth and nose when they are in the correct position for accurate measurements. At a defined interval, the signal flow is switched to a release point inside the air collection tube that collects emissions from the animal's mouth and nose. As the flow rate is constant, the differences in the ratios of the concentration values of the flag determine the efficiency of capture of metabolic gas. This capture efficiency is used to convert metabolic gas concentration data to mass flow data. In this example, the exact flow of the flag is not required to be known as long as it is constant. If, however, the signal mass flow is determined through periodic weighing of the signal reservoir or other methods, the data can be used to independently evaluate the flow rate through the system and / or changes in instrument calibration. If a flag is used that is detected by one of the sensors (such as the NDIR methane sensor), then the flag flow release can be controlled to determine the mass flow rate and to determine changes in the calibration of the flag. methane sensor.
[0037] [0037] In addition to generating high-value GHG displacements, the system can serve as a livestock management tool. The methane / carbon dioxide ratios obtained provide valuable information on the condition of the animal and the pasture. Mass flows of methane and carbon dioxide can be used in conjunction with numerical models to estimate dry material intake, digestibility, and animal efficiency. These data can be used in conjunction with production data to select breeders that produce more meat and milk with less feed that results in lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved animal welfare and overall sustainability.
[0038] [0038] The concentrations under the protection cover of the animal's monitoring system when an animal is present are usually relatively high, that is, well above the environment, so that measurements of metabolic gas concentrations are facilitated. This allows a system modality to employ NDIR OEM instruments. Although the cost of this type of sensor can reach several hundred US dollars, the GreenFeed station or power station will still be good value for money. Rapid, sensitive and automated detection of animal behavior, animal efficiency, and animal health is likely to improve animal welfare, decrease animal losses, improve animal genetics to increase efficiency and improve sustainability operation. As the station is automated, monitoring costs per animal will be relatively low. As a season can be shared among many cattle or other livestock, the cost per animal is also relatively low.
[0039] [0039] With a GreenFeed feeder, the cow's head only needs to be close to the diffuser to measure flows. It does not need to be in a specific location, and free movement is allowed and it is even possible to measure mass flows. The feeder is relatively open to the atmosphere when compared to previous designs. The different intake holes are used in a diffuser to capture the breath as the cow's head moves. The animal is not required to place its nose in a small restricted area where the entrance somehow aligns with their nose. The air flow through the GreenFeed feeder is much greater than what is emitted from the cow (about 8 to 10 times (or much greater). An electric fan is used to induce that air to flow through the food tray or through the feeder protection / manger cover in the absence of the animal (for background measurements) or around the animal when one is present (for breathing measurements).
[0040] [0040] Significantly, the GreenFeed system is configured to measure ambient gas concentrations (background) and gas concentrations from the animal to determine the increase in concentrations. In this way, the mass flows from the animal can be calculated at the GreenFeed station or a remote data analysis station / server using the increase in concentrations and total air flow through the system. In this regard, the total air flow through the collection tube is measured, which includes the animal's breathing. As the animal's respiration only makes up a small part of the total flow, the GreenFeed system is not configured to directly measure the gas flow from the animal. Instead, the gas mass flows from the animal are determined using the concentration sensors along the tube's airflow sensor and using the values from the flare measurements to the measurement in the presence of the ruminant. Specifically, as the system is more open, a signaling system can be readily and effectively used to quantify the capture rates of the cow's breath into the collection tube. This allows mass flows (or volumes) to be accurately determined even if the entire breath is not captured.
[0041] [0041] An infrared or ultrasonic head sensor is used to measure the distance of the animal's nose from the entrance. Later, the data can be sorted to determine when the animal's head is in the feeder and how far it was from the entrance. In practice, the measurement of the GreenFeed feeder and the flow system is active most of the time, even when a cow is not present (except when the system is conserving batteries). This allows the data analysis software to determine the ambient concentrations (background) of the gases without the cow, so that mass (or volume) flows can be determined when a cow is present taking the difference between measurement without the cow and the raise when the cow is visiting the feeder. In many applications, food is used to get the animal to go to the feeder, but the feeder is relatively open with the animal coming to the feeder on a voluntary basis and without any handling by an operator (or restrictions on the location of the feeder). head of the animal is maintained during emission measurements).
[0042] [0042] In a specific modality, a method is provided to manage methane emissions from a ruminant. The method includes providing a mechanism for distributing food to a ruminant in a food tray, and then first measuring the carbon dioxide and methane in the air near the food tray to determine an ambient gas level (background). The method continues with the perception of a ruminant close to the food tray in the food distribution mechanism and, in response to the ruminant's perception, the second measurement of carbon dioxide and methane in the air near the food tray. The method then also includes, with a data analysis station, processing the first and second measured concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane to determine an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane. Then, with the data analysis station, the method includes determining the flows of carbon dioxide and methane to the ruminant based on a total air flow and the determined increase in carbon dioxide and methane. In some cases, the method may include operating the data analysis station to determine, based on the determined flows of carbon dioxide and methane, a supplement to be present in a food distributed by the food distribution mechanism to the ruminant to control the methane emitted by the ruminant.
[0043] [0043] In some embodiments, the food delivery mechanism includes a gas collection tube with an inlet adjacent to the food tray, a fan that moves air over the food tray into the gas collection tube, and an airflow sensor measuring an airflow in the collection tube to determine the total airflow when the ruminant is perceived to be in the feed distribution mechanism. In said modalities, the method may include operating a signaling system to discharge a quantity of a signaling device into the food distribution mechanism, perceiving a concentration of the signaling discharged into the gas collection tube, and with the data analysis station, quantifying a capture rate for the breath emitted by the ruminant during the second measurement step and apply the capture rate to the mass flows determined to generate the rate capture flows adjusted for the ruminant.
[0044] [0044] The gas collection tube may include a flow distributor providing a mixture of the air flow brought into the gas collection tube through the gas collection tube, where the air flow mixture is provided through of a flow path with minimal mixing along the flow path in the gas collection tube. In addition, an inlet diffuser for the inlet of the gas collection tube can be positioned in the food delivery mechanism to extend outwards from at least two sides of the food tray, and the inlet diffuser can include a plurality of inlet holes to direct the ruminant's breath and air into the gas collection tube inlet. The method may also include differentiated emissions of methane and carbon dioxide by the ruminant during eructations from the emissions of methane and carbon dioxide in the ruminant's current air. In practice, the total air flow can be at least about 8 to 10 times greater than the breath emitted from the ruminant. In addition, the perception step in the presence of the ruminant may involve operating an infrared or ultrasonic head sensor to determine a position of the ruminant's head in relation to the food tray including a distance of a part of the ruminant's head from the head sensor .
[0045] [0045] There are a number of aspects of the GreenFeed system that make it unique and useful for many applications ranging from milking stables, milking robots, and pasture / pasture configurations. The system uses a wedge-shaped polyethylene feeding shell, which can be pivotal in the wind that has its opening (to receive the animal's head or at least nose and mouth) in the outward direction of the wind to limit the mixture (for example, if the wind comes from the north, the opening would rotate south). The shell body can be adapted to receive special "wings" that are inserted on each side of the shell using appropriately sized spacers, so that it is easily customized to fit the specific sizes of the animal. For example, New Zealand dairy cows are typically 30% smaller than the United States' Holsteins. In a system designed for New Zealand, the wider spacers and a lower angle to the shell in its pivotal assembly could be used so that when the animal approaches, mixing is restricted in some way.
[0046] [0046] The feeder uses an opening that is designed to keep rain out, however, allowing light to enter. At the top of the unit, a Lexan ™ or other clear to translucent window can be provided because cows don't like to go in or to put their heads in dark places. The feeder / manger can be used both light and sound to indicate to an animal whether or not it is eligible to be measured / fed (for example, performing a cow's RFID-based identification and determining whether it is due to feed monitoring / issue). Over time, it is believed that this will keep animals from being measured from blocking entry to others.
[0047] [0047] The system can be measured, the dynamic air flow to sweep metabolic gases through the system and to mix them along the flow path, however, to minimize mixing along the flow path. This allows for a second-by-second resolution of data so that methane, carbon dioxide, and other metabolisms can be monitored and gases from the current air (lungs) can be readily differentiated from gases that originate in the rumen (eructations) ). This provides important information about lung function, rumen function, metabolism, and anaerobic fermentation processes, and said differentiation provides very important diagnostic information (such as when a cow can be ready to mate, when a ruminant is sick and must be treated, when a change in diet such as dry matter intake or pasture quality has changed, and so on).
[0048] [0048] The GreenFeed system can monitor the ratios of key gases, however, significantly, many modalities of the GreenFeed system are also configured to perform the quantitative measurements of the metabolic gas flows of interest. Flow is defined as the mass (or volume) of a compound, such as methane, emitted per unit time. The reason the system is able to monitor the flow is because it acts to monitor key variables that define the flow rate and the capture rate as well as the environment conditions and the position of the animal with independent sensors. In addition, the GreenFeed system is adapted to restrict the flow of mass through the system by periodically releasing a repeatable amount of a flag. The flag (eg propane) can also be used as a substitute to independently check the calibration of methane sensors.
[0049] [0049] In some cases, the system can operate autonomously on the outside using solar energy and on the inside using batteries. Batteries can be recharged effectively by many low quality power sources. This is often a problem in obtaining consistent high quality energy in a rural area or in a dairy stable, where large fans and other equipment circulate periodically and create voltage drops and surges. High resolution data can be stored inside the unit and periodically transmitted to computers located centrally where resident programs process the data to produce the relevant results and reports for particular operators. The reports provided to a worker could include a simple alert to observe a particular animal more carefully (such as for health or mating reasons). Reports to the dairy stable or feedlot nutrition manager could highlight trends in dry matter intake, digestibility, efficiency, mating and the like. Reports to the farm operator could identify animals with key performance characteristics.
[0050] [0050] A difference between GreenFeed systems and methods and anything else done before is that they are highly automated and the animals require little or no training to use the system voluntarily. In addition, GreenFeed systems and methods are quantitative. Data resolution provides second-by-second resolution so that rumen metabolism can be differentiated from aerobic metabolism. The system is redundant and flow rates are directly monitored. Flow rates can be calculated independently from the internal flags (carbon dioxide and water vapor, for example) and / or external flags (propane). Propane releases can also serve as a substitute for methane in the NDIR methane sensor so that calibration can be traced and measurement problems can be identified quickly. The release of the flag can be qualitative as long as it is constant, the release inside the sample tube and close to the animal's mouth and nose provides the reason for capture. The flare release can be quantitative as well, as the system can be operated to periodically weigh the flare container to determine the flare loss. Additionally, the system can operate to monitor the times when the flag is released, so that the software processes can accurately average the flag's mass loss per unit of time (ie, flag release). The system and / or a set of systems can be operated remotely either via wired connections or via wireless connections. The system can use an Internet interface or another network interface. The system is designed to be intuitive so that results can be interpreted visually quickly and key operating parameters can be manipulated by relatively untrained operators.
[0051] [0051] The system is typically designed to operate an auxiliary sample system to collect samples automatically in a conditioned manner. Any of the variables measured routinely by the system can be selected to trigger sampling. Therefore, samples can be collected that represent the sum of the various breathing events while excluding eructation events. On the other hand, samples can be collected that represent various eructation events and exclude maximum normal breathing. In addition, the system is designed to collect the subsamples quantitatively in which the samples are collected as the gases leave the sample tube. At this time, the gases for the subsamples are well mixed and the capture rates and flow rates are very well characterized. However, the samples were passed through the inlet filter, the mixing elements, and the sample tube. Therefore, it is possible that specific components may not be of interest, such as oxygenated organics, and other sticky or reactive compounds could be partially or totally removed from the subsample air flow.
[0052] [0052] Therefore, the system may also have the capacity to collect the subsamples qualitatively at the entrance of the collector very close to the animal's nose and mouth. At that time, the gases of interest did not have a chance to interact significantly and clean up surfaces; however, the sub-samples did not have a chance to become uniformly mixed with the air flowing through the sample tube so that the determination of precise flows for the qualitative subsample is more uncertain. However, qualitative subexamples are useful for exploratory research to determine the presence of compounds of specific interest. If the qualitative subsamples indicate that a compound of interest is emitted by an animal, as the quantitative subsamples indicate the compound is cleaned by the materials used in the GreenFeed unit, the building materials of the GreenFeed unit can probably be modified to minimize interference so that quantitative flows can be measured in the future. For example, to be compatible with sticky volatile organic compounds, the sample tube can be constructed of specially passivated stainless steel and the stainless steel can be coated with fused silica. If, for example, it is determined by comparing quantitative samples and qualitative samples that the compounds of interest are lost in the particle filter located at the beginning of the air tube, the filter can be replaced by one made of materials compatible with the interest, the particles could be removed with an inertial pendulum, or the gas of interest could be collected in tubes that bare gas or other specialized analytical techniques commonly used to differentiate or to reduce interference could be used if necessary. GreenFeed systems using special materials compatible with more difficulty handling the compounds of interest are likely to be very expensive to build and are likely to require more maintenance.
[0053] [0053] In general, many GreenFeed systems are designed to be portable. For example, the dairy stable unit can be moved easily by a person from stable to stable. This system could also be used in free stables or in feedlots. The GreenFeed pasture unit is mounted on a trailer that can be easily moved from paddock to paddock and quickly assembled for operation. The unit built on the robotic milking system is not designed to move quickly.
[0054] [0054] GreenFeed data processing systems are designed to be flexible and to allow integration with other sensors and data. For example, GreenFeed systems are designed for easy installation and integration in many brands of robotic milking systems, automated mineral feeders and systems designed to monitor animal weight, animal food consumption and / or animal water consumption. Briefly, some elements common to each modality are: a system designed to restrict atmospheric mixing; sensors to quantify air flow rates; the flags to characterize the rates of breath capture under different atmospheric conditions and positions of the animal's head; the potential for conditional distribution of a specified food, supplement or water at specified times or when specified conditions occur; and the ability to use the data in close to real time to identify animals that do not meet performance boundaries (defined for each individual or defined for the entire herd). These elements together facilitate the quick remediation of activities, such as distribution of specified supplements for individual animals or for the herd, identification of animals in particular for quick inspections, changes in the formulation of general rations, such as total mixed daily rations (TMR) (which generally comprise raw feed for confined animals), and move the animals to a different paddock or pasture.
[0055] [0055] With these aspects in mind, a modality provides a device to monitor methane emissions from a ruminant. The device includes a system or set adapted to seduce a ruminant to voluntarily place its nose and mouth in a position that facilitates the measurement of exhaled breath. The device also includes a gas intake manifold with an inlet close to the nose and mouth position in the ruminant's seduction mechanism, and the gas intake manifold brings airflow into the inlet (such as a fan in a collection tube or similar). The device includes a methane monitoring device that monitors the methane in the gas intake manifold, including methane concentrations in the ruminant's exhaled breath and in air in the absence of the ruminant. In addition, the device includes a data analysis station that processes the methane concentrations monitored to determine the methane emitted by the ruminant from the rumen metabolism. A container is provided to deliver a supplement to the ruminant's seduction mechanism for consumption by the ruminant, and the container is typically operable to deliver the supplement in response to the determined methane emitted during rumen metabolism. In some modalities, the supplement is adapted to reduce the emission of methane in the exhaled breath of the ruminant.
[0056] [0056] The sedimentation mechanism of the ruminant may include a feeding shell with an opening to receive the nose and mouth of the ruminant, and the feeding shell may include a wedge-shaped body mounted to be pivoting with wind so that the opening is in the opposite direction from a wind direction to limit mixing in the feeder shell. The ruminant's seduction mechanism may include an animal identifier to identify the ruminant, and a set of light and sound to selectively emit light and sound when the identified ruminant is eligible to monitor or feed by the device. In some cases, the determined methane emitted by the ruminant is a measure of a flow of methane in the exhaled breath, and the flow measured is determined based on the total flow in the gas intake manifold. The apparatus may also include an airflow sensor that measures the total flow and a flare release mechanism for selectively discharging a quantity of a flare gas. In the said modalities, the data analysis station can also operate to determine a capture rate for exhaled breath via the input based on a monitoring of the signal gas and the total flow measured. In some applications, the data analysis station still operates to initiate a report on health, dry matter intake, or mating condition for the ruminant based on a comparison of methane determined to a limit methane value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] [0057] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate frontal, sectional and top views, respectively, of a modality of a system to monitor and control the production / emission of methane by the ruminant (or a GreenFeed system).
[0058] [0058] Figure 4 illustrates a method to monitor and control the production and / or emission of methane by the ruminant as it can be implemented, in whole or in part, by the operation of the system shown in Figures 1 to 3.
[0059] [0059] Figure 5 is a graph illustrating a typical pattern of traces of methane and carbon dioxide that can be measured within a feed station's manger / protective cover in a GreenFeed system according to an embodiment of the invention in a ruminant's breath (for example, during a eructation cycle or similar).
[0060] [0060] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a part of a GreenFeed system modality using a dairy stable configuration to monitor and control ruminant GHG emissions.
[0061] [0061] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate, similar to Figures 1 to 3, a modality of a system to monitor and control the production / emission of methane by the ruminant (or another modality of a GreenFeed system).
[0062] [0062] Figure 8 illustrates a method to monitor and control the production and / or emission of methane from the ruminant as can be implemented, in whole or in part, by operating the system shown in Figures 1 to 3, the system of Figures 6A and 6B, and / or the system of Figures 7A and 7B.
[0063] [0063] Figure 9 schematically illustrates another representative GreenFeed system of the invention.
[0064] [0064] Figure 10 illustrates a graph of monitoring results obtained during the operation of a GreenFeed system, such as that shown in Figure 9, to monitor methane and carbon dioxide emissions from a dairy cow.
[0065] [0065] Figure 11 illustrates a table 1100 of the daily average of the CH4 / CO2 ratios for a set of 14 cows during a 54-day study in the same dairy and during the same test as shown in Figure 10.
[0066] [0066] Figure 12 is a graph outlining dry matter intake (DMI), caloric intake (VEM), and methane to carbon dioxide ratios for a herd over time to illustrate how feed management can be used to vary and control methane production.
[0067] [0067] Figure 13 illustrates another modality of a system to monitor and control the production / emission of methane from the ruminant (or another modality of a GreenFeed system) such as that it can be used in a pasture or range for cattle or other ruminants.
[0068] [0068] Figure 14 illustrates another modality of a system to monitor and control the production / emission of methane from the ruminant (or another modality of a concentration feeder) as it can be used with a milking robot.
[0069] [0069] Figure 15 is a combined graph showing, over a period of time (such as a milking session), a measured distance from the ruminant's nose from a diffuser inlet, measured methane, and carbon dioxide measured.
[0070] [0070] Figure 16 illustrates an exemplary snapshot of a user interface that can be provided on a user's computer system / device by accessing a host server for a GreenFeed system (such as the system in Figure 9).
[0071] [0071] Figure 17 is a side view (side view of the opening) of a GreenFeed feeding station showing a manger / protection cover with its food tray and sampling inlet diffuser. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0072] [0072] The methods and systems described here are expected to substantially reduce parasitic GHG emissions from livestock and increase pasture efficiency. These techniques for monitoring and reducing / controlling ruminant methane production are still expected to have substantial economic potential. In addition to the efficiency gains for the animal, the expected reductions in actual methane emissions based on the wide range of literature values can, for example, produce GHG compensation values from $ 1 to $ 20 (US dollars) per animal per year depending on the animal's diet and genetics.
[0073] [0073] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the exemplary components of a modality of a system 100 to monitor and control the production / emission of methane by the ruminant. The illustrated system 100 can incorporate a ruminant 114 ear tag reader (e.g., a reader adapted to read an RFID tag 208 placed on an animal 204's ear) so that animals 204 with ear tags 208 can approach from station 110 and be identified with the RFID reader shown 114 which provides data for data record 118, with reader 114 and data record 118 being mounted on the protective cover / manger 112 of station 110 in this example system 100 The GreenFeed 100 system (with "GreenFeed" system being interchangeable with tags here as a system to monitor and control the production / emission of methane by the ruminant and the like) is in some cases designed to deliver customized formulations in the manger 112 to each animal in particular 204 controlling / operating selectively one or more feeding systems 120 or its distributors / hoppers 122 with mechanisms / feeding control sets / food 124.
[0074] [0074] For example, the distributor / funnel 122 can include liquid or granular supplement 126 and can be selectively triggered. This funnel 122 can have one or more compartments (with only one shown to facilitate the illustration, but not to limit), each containing one or more differentiation supplements 126, and these compartments can be operated separately by the outlet mechanisms 124 of the dispenser. automated nutrients 120 in response to methane and carbon dioxide emission determinations (such as by the illustrated CH4 and CO2 analyzer which can process releases of 210, 214 CO2 and CH4 within the protective cover / manger 112 and provide control data or signals for the automated nutrient distributor 120 and, in some cases, determinations of the actual / real-time metabolic efficiency of the fed animal 204. System 100 (or its programs or software modules not shown but executed by a or more local / onboard processors or remotely located processors) can also make decisions based on the animal's temperature measurements (by and example, measured by means of a sensor placed inside the animal's ear canal (not shown in Figures 1 to 3)) and / or based on the animal's metabolic gases measured by the GreenFeed 100 system. The computer numerical models residing in a system computer 100 (such as analyzer 116, data record 118, automated nutrient distributor 120 but not shown specifically) interface with data record 118 both built into system 100 and remotely driven.
[0075] [0075] The following sequence describes the exemplary operation of the illustrated GreenFeed 100 system during an animal measurement cycle with at least some of the steps being illustrated in the example flowchart for a GreenFeed 400 process in Figure 4.
[0076] [0076] A GreenFeed system, such as a 100 system, may include: one or more distributors (such as distributor 122) for specific food supplements (such as liquid or granular supplements 126); a monitoring system for metabolic gas emissions from animals (such as CH4 and CO2 116 NDIR analyzer and system 100 data record 118); an RFID reader (such as reader 114) for data read from each animal's ear tag (as shown in 208 in Figure 2); sensors built on a weight scale mounted on the ground to record the weight of the approaching animal (not shown in Figures 1 to 3, but can be provided in the 100 system); solar panels to supply energy when the main power source is not available (not shown in Figures 1 to 3, but can also be included in system 100); and batteries that are rechargeable by solar panels that reside in a pasture (again, these are not shown in Figures 1 to 3, but are included in some systems 100 to practice the modalities of the invention). Process 400 starts at 405 as providing animal feed stations and nutrient distributors within a pasture or feed area for ruminants, and step 405 can also include software / load processing modules in the system to analyze data of monitored emissions and, in response, to operate the nutrient distributor for a particular animal (such as an animal 204) or the monitored / controlled herd.
[0077] [0077] Periodically, the system (such as system 100) turns on and measures ambient air within the manger part of the GreenFeed system (such as the protective cover / manger 112 of the feeding station 110 shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that animal 204 inserts its head). These air samples are historical samples (background), and sampling can be performed by analyzer 116 or other devices in a system (such as system 100). The GreenFeed system can incorporate optional front and side curtains (not shown in system 100 of Figures 1 to 3) to restrict the mixing of ambient air under extremely strong wind conditions. Alternatively or additionally, the manger of the GreenFeed system / feeding unit (such as unit 110 of the system 100) can be made to pivot so that its opening is always aligned leeward. This will help to restrict atmospheric mixing that could cause dilution of emissions and concentrations of metabolic gas. The system can include sensors to monitor the position of the animal's head when it is below the protective cover, wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, relative humidity, air flow rate through the air sampling tube, and other sensors. Data from any or all of these sensors can be used to determine the mass flows of metabolic gases through the system and the rate of capture of the animal's breath under typical conditions. The data can also be stored and used to select accurate measurements for defined specifications.
[0078] [0078] When an animal approaches in step 410, the system monitors its ear tag with an RFID tag or reader no 420 and said reading can wake up the feeding system. A computer program run by a processor (s) can be provided in the GreenFeed system that monitors the time of day and determines whether or not to distribute a particular feed material based on the time of day and / or the animal in question. particular as based on determining the ear tag. In some cases, a placebo food, one that attracts the animal, but has no significant metabolic effect, can be distributed. The placebo documents the baseline for the specific animal's performance. As shown, the system can determine at 430 that the animal attached to a database with the read ear tag received its daily ration, and if so, method 400 continues at 436 with the system operating in a standby mode for additional animals approaching, for example, animals not fed to distribute the appropriate nutrients. The animal can be provided with an indication of its eligibility to receive the food material through a system of visual and / or audio suggestions. Visual cues can include specific colors. Audio suggestions can include specific tones. Tones and colors can be associated with operations of the specific animal's monitoring unit.
[0079] [0079] After the RFID tag is read at 420, the system (or its monitoring software) can determine at 440 that the animal associated with the read ear tag has not received its daily feed from the control of methane or other nutrients. In some cases or process implementations 400, the ear tag label number (for example, a 15-digit number or similar) can be recorded in the data record as shown in 450. No. 444, based on a search on a database for the particular animal, the automated nutrient dispenser can be operated to distribute the food and / or nutrient supplements, and the quantity of the food and / or supplements distributed can be recorded in the data log or other storage device data on the GreenFeed system as shown in 450.
[0080] [0080] At 460, a separate sensor / detector associated with the power station or RFID reader can trigger the gas and / or other monitoring instrument to turn it on. Monitors (such as analyzer 116 in system 100) can either be mounted inside the GreenFeed protective cover and / or they can be located remotely, and air samples collected from the GreenFeed protective cover and the manger can be routed to analytical instruments. In one implementation, measurements are made as shown in steps 470 and 476 of methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapor as with the sensor and / or measurement devices shown in Figures 1 to 3. In addition, the weight of the animal, milk production by the animal, central temperature of the animal, and other data can be routed to the data record (such as data record 118 of system 100) and the computer system of the feeding station illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
[0081] [0081] This data can then be transferred to a computer program or series of programs in which the numerical models are run such as within the 490 data analysis station to result in or produce decisions about the specific types and quantities of antibiotics , and / or nutrient supplement to distribute at step 444 in the next or current feed of the animal or access to a feeding station (for example, providing a particular "prescription" or "diet" of supplements and the like to distribute at that time for that particular animal based, typically, on detected methane emissions and / or the animal's metabolic efficiency). Alternatively, these data can be used to identify specific animals that are at risk or in the early stages of disease. In other cases, these data can be used alone or combined with other external data to identify animals that are likely to be in heat. In still other cases (or in addition), these data can be used alone or in conjunction with other data to identify animals that achieve higher production efficiencies, and therefore, for example, be useful for future mating programs. The gas concentration over time as measured in steps 470 and 476 can be recorded by the data log as shown in 450 concurrently with or before transferring to the nutrient supplement or program selection program module at the analysis station. 490 data. Data can either be stored at the feeder location or transmitted via wireless or wired communications to the 490 analysis station.
[0082] [0082] As shown in method 400, based on the supplement determinations by the 490 data analysis station, the GreenFeed system (like the 100 system) distributes the necessary nutrient supplements (or determined to be useful to control methane production) and / or antibiotics or a placebo inside the manger by operating the food dispenser / funnel (for example, funnel 122 with liquid or granular supplement 126 to measure a particular amount of one or more supplements / food 126 as shown in Figures 1 to 3).
[0083] [0083] The analytical measurement system (eg analyzer 116, data record 118, and data analysis station 490 and the analysis station software modules) measures changes in methane and carbon dioxide ratios. When eructation occurs, methane concentrations will stall. Carbon dioxide from aerobic respiration will tend to increase linearly as the animal breathes while its head is in the space indicated by the head position sensor to be ideal for measurement (ie, within the restricted space). As little methane is emitted in an animal's breath, aerobic and anaerobic respiration can be differentiated. Figure 3 illustrates a typical breathing pattern of the ruminant animal and the eructation cycle. These data can then be compared to the data obtained from the baseline case by the data analysis station 490, for example, for the individual to determine the relative changes in methane emission rates. A numerical model (for example, software module executed by the 490 station) that describes the animal's metabolic functions can then be initialized with this data both on a remote computer and on a 490 data analysis station resident computer to calculate the greenhouse gas reductions.
[0084] [0084] The methane monitoring and emission control or GreenFeed system can incorporate a telemetry system to transmit data to a remote computer (or 490 data analysis station as shown in Figure 4) where it can be stored in memory computer or data storage (such as in a database with supplement and methane emission data collected in the data record for each animal) and / or further processed for a plurality of animals and / or stations as shown in the Figures 1 to 3. The GreenFeed system may include a resident computer (using a processor (s) to run one or more programs / software modules not shown but provided in some ways at the 490 data analysis station to make the ) computer (s) or its processor performs functions in particular) to process data and aggregate the collected and recorded data to generate a report of emission reductions and design efficiency performance for each specific animal. In some modalities, the system and its data analysis station may work to aggregate data for specific animals and / or for the entire herd. The GreenFeed system may, in some modalities, be linked to other systems, such as, but not limited to C-Lock Technology and / or GreenCert ™ (United States Patents No. 7,457,758 and 7,415,418, which are both hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference). In some modalities providing the link between the GreenFeed system and other systems, ruminant monitoring and emission control data can be transformed into carbon credits (for example, C-Lock certified carbon credits or similar) that can be transparent and verifiable. In some modalities, the system can send an electronic alert to managers or it can physically tag an animal with the appropriate paint or a tag to indicate that the animal requires special attention.
[0085] [0085] A flare release can be incorporated into the GreenFeed system so that a known quantity of an easy-to-measure tracking gas, not usually produced by ruminants, is released in the area of the GreenFeed manger (for example, in the protective cover 112 of feeding station 110 in system 100 of Figures 1 to 3 for measurement by analyzer 116 or a separate tracking gas analyzer). Exemplary flags include butane, propane, ethane, sulfur hexafluoride and / or many other components that are typically readily available and easy to measure. Propane is preferable because it is easy to acquire and is a liquid under pressure and then it has a very high gas storage density. Commercial propane contains an odorant such as diethyl sulfide to which humans are sensitive so that leaks can be detected by the human nose. In some cases, it is desirable to include a cleaning cartridge that contains a material that absorbs or transforms the odor and confines it to remove that compound from propane so that it does not disturb the animal using the animal's monitoring unit. Measurements of the decay of the selected tracer gas can be used to calculate the dilution from mixing with ambient air. Alternatively, the signal release can be continuous for a long enough time so that the steady state concentration can be used to stimulate the dilution of metabolic gas emissions from animals (by analyzer 116 or data analysis station 490 and its software / processing modules). In other modalities, the flow of the flag is alternated from the release of the entrance of the animal monitoring unit in close proximity to the breathing of the animal in which it is diluted by the ambient air (A), to release into the air sample tube that air flow rates are measured independently, such as with a hot wire anemometer or a pitot tube system or other device. In this case (B), 100 percent of the flag is captured. The ratio of the two concentrations (A / BX 100) defines the efficiency of the breath capture and can be used to correct the capture rates for non-ideal conditions where A is less than B. Alternatively, (or preferably), in addition , an animal head position sensor can be used inside the protective cover to indicate when the animal's mouth and nose are in an ideal position for quantitative measurement. Head position sensors suitable for monitoring head position include ultrasonic sensors and infrared sensors.
[0086] [0086] In this way, the absolute mass flows of methane and carbon dioxide can be measured or determined (for example, by the data analysis station 490). Figure 5 illustrates a typical breathing pattern 500 of the ruminant animal and a eructation cycle that can be measured or monitored by the CH4 NDIR and CO2 116 analyzer and / or determined by the data processing station software / modules 490 as part of process 400. Line 510 represents measured or determined concentrations of CO2 in a ruminant breath (as can be measured in a manger or protective cover 112 in a 100 system) while line 520 represents measured or determined concentrations of CH4 in the same breath as the ruminant.
[0087] [0087] When the animal removes its head from the GreenFeed system (or a protective cover 110), the system may, in some modalities, continuously monitor the air within the manger area (or protective cover 110) of the system to monitor the decay of concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide at ambient levels due to mixing with the atmosphere (such as by operating an analyzer 116 and recording data 118 as described in method 400 and by processing the data collected / monitored from the animal as described for the 490 data analysis station and its processing modules).
[0088] [0088] For pastures where many hundreds of animals could be present, an emission control and monitoring system can sometimes be set up to only allow selected individuals to have access to the GreenFeed monitoring system (or to only monitor and control the emissions from said animals based on the identification of this subgroup of ruminants via the ear tag / RFID or other animal identification). The nutrient treatment can then be distributed to all animals, with the system being used to collect data from a representative sample of specific animals (for example, the same ones used to define the nutrient treatment or a differentiation set) . The results can then be extrapolated using numerical models to quantify the results for the entire herd. In this way, a unit could serve several hundred animals and not each animal would need to be sampled all the time (but, they can be in other implementations). Similarly, this approach could be useful in a dairy where several hundred or thousands of animals are confined. Selected individuals can be monitored to indicate general feeding efficiencies, health trends and methane emissions from the herd. Alternatively, if all animals are equipped with RFID tags, the system can be programmed to select individuals from the entire herd for random or routine sampling. In this case, the system can use light and / or sound to indicate that animals are approaching about their eligibility to use the system.
[0089] [0089] In short, systems according to the modalities can be described as useful to monitor changes in relation to emission rates. It can supply data for numerical models to estimate methane flows and to calculate GHG emission reductions that can then be converted to or used to determine carbon credits. The system can use an internal or external flag to measure mass flows of methane, carbon dioxide, and other metabolic gases. The system can be configured in many ways.
[0090] [0090] For example, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B (top and side views), a GreenFeed 600 system can be used in a group configuration such as in a milking parlor or stable to measure all individuals at once . For example, the system 600 can be incorporated into headers 610 or other devices used to restrict movement of the animal. System 600 includes piping 620 to move or transfer breath / gas samples from a feeding area (which may be covered) in which the animal's head is located when feeding 630 to one or more NDIR or similar analyzers /instruments. As discussed with reference to Figures 1 to 5, feed 630 can be selectively modified in system 600 based on monitored levels of methane to / or carbon dioxide (as detected by the operation of a CO2 / CH4 analyzer and / or an analysis station data and its execution software modules) and / or be supplemented with selected nutrients to reduce GHG production / emission.
[0091] [0091] In other modalities (not shown), supplement distribution and / or monitoring parts of the inventive system are added to automated robotic milking machines to monitor methane and carbon dioxide ratios and / or methane flows , carbon dioxide, and / or other metabolic gases while animals are being milked. As will be appreciated, monitoring and control systems or GreenFeed can be used in almost any configuration where ruminants access food or water or somehow place their heads in a certain position for an acceptable period of time to obtain measurements respiration monitoring system (for example, the feeding station in Figures 1 to 3 can be replaced by the bays in Figures 6A and 6B, replaced or used within an automated milking system where ruminants are typically placed in a position to milk and are usually fed concomitantly or provided with nutrients / supplements, and so on). Other places where cattle and other ruminants can be forced to or congregated on a voluntary basis (and which lend themselves as monitoring / nutrient distribution stations) and where the mixture of their breathing in the atmosphere is in any way restricted may include spouts or drinking fountain stations (which can be covered or protected from the wind and mixed as discussed above for feeding stations) and nutrient / salt type licking stations and the like. In other words, the terms "feeding station", "protective cover" and "manger" are intended to be interpreted broadly and can generally cover any device or arrangement on which a ruminant can lay its head for a period of time. time and your breathing can be monitored with at least some limitation in mixing with ambient air, and, at least in some cases, where nutrients / supplements can be distributed to control or reduce GHG emissions and at least in other cases where the "bait" works simply as a seduction for the animal so that it puts its head in the proper position for monitoring.
[0092] [0092] An illustrative system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a comprehensive measurement and validation system for the reduction of bovine methane emissions. The system includes methane measurement technology (CH4), for example, one with the precision and reliability that can be used to generate carbon credits, with a system modality including duo gas (methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) ), infrared measurement detectors. When incorporated into a nutrient block station, feeding station, station / milking parlor, drinking fountain, or similar implementation and optionally combined with a standardized emission credit determination system, the system for monitoring and controlling / reducing ruminant methane production provides a valuable tool for reducing methane emissions from cattle and other sources of ruminants.
[0093] [0093] During the operation of a modality of said system, the gaseous emissions of the ruminant are monitored, the methane emissions are determined, and the ruminant's food supply is adjusted or supplemented or the ruminant is somehow treated to reduce methane emissions. In some cases, non-dispersive infrared instruments monitor the carbon dioxide and methane emitted by a ruminant. The information obtained is therefore considered (for example, processed by the software running on a system computer or by a system processor) together with the animal statistics available from a database in system data storage and / or from the information associated with an RFID tag attached to the ruminant, which can include heredity information, for example, if the animal is weaned, its age, and the like. Based on emission information and other information about the ruminant, one or more of a plurality of supplements and / or a particular amount of one or more supplements is offered or distributed to the ruminant.
[0094] [0094] In an exemplary, but not limiting, method, a ruminant presents itself at a feeding station in which the carbon dioxide and methane emitted by the ruminant in its breath are measured. Other measurements can be taken as well. Along with information obtained from memory such as a ruminant tracking / monitoring database or from receiving signals containing information stored on the RFID ear tag, at least one determination is made about methane production animal fur. Additional determinations that can be made include the identification of one or more supplements or a mixture of supplements and the amount or quantities of the same (s) to offer to the ruminant to reduce the emission of the given methane that could be expected to occur subsequently, if the ruminant's diet is not changed.
[0095] [0095] A ruminant methane monitoring and control feed station (for example, a GreenFeed system or a GreenFeed station) can be built and instrumented to work in several ways. In one example, the feeding station includes a protective cover located over the feeding manger to restrict the effects of the wind and serve to isolate and concentrate the breathing of a specific animal. In this case, the animal, such as a cow, inserts its head into an opening in the protective cover or in the feeder. At that time, an RFID or other reader or sensor reads an ear tag to determine the age and type of animal. Based on this information, a mixture of specific nutrients can be released. In a typical modality, the mixture is specifically designed to reduce the production of methane by the ruminant or reach a target level of said emissions (such as achieving a particular weight gain). The determinations that control the type and amount of nutrient are in some cases based on input from sensors mounted inside the feed station and on the ground in proximity to the feed station. The information collected from said sensors can include the animal's weight in order to determine the animal's weight gain, methane and carbon dioxide ratios to determine the animal's metabolic efficiency, and additional measures as useful to document performance (for example, performance in relation to methane emission reduction / control and / or in relation to more ideal weight gain or weight maintenance such as for a mature dairy cow) and, in some cases, to generate CERCs (Credits from Carbon Emission Reduction).
[0096] [0096] In another example, in addition to the measurement of methane and carbon dioxide ratios in animal respiration, the insertion of the animal's head in a feed protection cover, stall or feeding station of the present invention triggers the release of a specific, controlled flow rate flag. The flag, for example, can be an inert gas such as sulfur hexafluoride, butane or other chemical compound that is measured with instrumentation installed in the supply station. The flag dilution is used to correct methane and carbon dioxide measurements for the effects of atmospheric dilution. In this way, the flow of methane and carbon dioxide can be determined as well as the metabolic rates of methane and carbon dioxide.
[0097] [0097] In another example of the present invention, the animal's breath is used as an indicator of atmospheric dilution. As a ruminant's breath is saturated with water vapor and is released at very close to the same temperature as the animal's internal body temperature, both water vapor and temperature (latent and sensitive heat) can be measured. A similar or solid state sensor can be used to measure the temperature and humidity of the ambient air and also to measure the temperature and humidity of the air that includes the animal's breathing inside the GreenFeed manger, another space attached at least partially, or even an open space in some applications. As the animal's breath is saturated with water vapor, the difference between the ratio of the water vapor mixture in the ambient air and that of the air inside the GreenFeed system manger can be used in some implementations to monitor the air mixture. within the power protection cover of the GreenFeed system. This mixture measurement can then be used to calculate the dilution of the animal's metabolic gas emissions and, therefore, methane and carbon dioxide flows can be determined. Alternatively, rapid measurements can be measured using Eddy's correlation technology. An Eddy rapid covariance flow instrument that measures latent and sensitive heat flow can be incorporated into the instrument suite of the feed station, allowing measurements to be used to calculate the dilution due to mixing the animal's breath with air inside the feed protection cover. The dilution is calculated, and the flows of methane and carbon dioxide from the animal are measured and documented in addition to the determinations of the metabolic efficiency ratio (for example, a methane to carbon dioxide ratio).
[0098] [0098] In an additional modality, a nutrient block feeding system (not shown, but similar in arrangement as in system 100 in Figures 1 to 3) can be deployed to monitor respiration methane and carbon dioxide concentrations of the current as well as the belching of ruminant animals while they are in a pasture. The system looks similar to a covered salt container mounted on a low pole. The nutrient block in some modalities is surrounded on all but one side by a cover. The uncovered side has an opening large enough for an animal to insert its head into and access a nutrient block or container (s) of one or more nutrients. Mounted under the protective cover is an RFID tag reader to read / receive information about each animal from its RFID ear tag. The nutrient block station also includes a methane / carbon dioxide monitor, a data log, and, optionally, a communication device (for example, a Bluetooth transmitter, a cell phone with a modem, or other communication device wireless / wired). The station sometimes contains a GPS chip to obtain and collect information about the unit's location and the time of day it was accessed by the animal. The system can be powered by batteries such as those recharged by solar cells, however other battery-based energy sources or other energy sources can be used in the GreenFeed systems described here.
[0099] [0099] In a method to monitor and control / reduce a ruminant's methane production, when an animal approaches the nutrient block station, the system switches on for a specific period of time to monitor and document the methane ratios / carbon dioxide, the animal's identification number, the weather, and / or the location of the station. Based on the information collected and obtained and determinations made based on the information by the modules or software programs of the system, a supplement is made available (by computer-based control of feed / supplement dispensers) for the animal to control, reduce, or maintain emissions methane at a currently configured or defined level, which can be stored in a database and associated with the animal's identification (which, in turn, can be stored on their RFID ear tag or accessible via an identification code on the ear tag). Normally, animals can consume one to two ounces of supplement per day. The amount of supplement consumed per animal can be controlled by the GreenFeed system by modifying the salt content of the supplement (for example, releasing the additional salt with the supplement, releasing a supplement with a higher salt component, or similar).
[0100] [0100] In some cases, the station is strategically placed in a field near a congregation point such as a water source or spout. A station can be used to serve up to about 40 to 100 or more animals. The system can be loaded with a placebo mineral block to document the baseline methane emissions for the herd and pasture. In this way, the mineral supplement can be added to document GHG reductions, so that each animal, as well as the entire herd, is monitored in a cost-effective manner. If the most accurate methane and carbon dioxide emission rates are useful (rather than relative changes in efficiency), an optional flare release system can be incorporated into a control and monitoring system modality. The beacon release system uses a third type of chemical (for example, propane, butane or an inert fluorocarbon that it would emit at a set rate). The dilution of the flare is then used to correct for a limited atmospheric mixture, which occurs when the animal's head is "below the protective cover". Thus, in some cases, it may not be necessary, however, as the concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide below the protective cover will generally be many times higher than the concentrations of the environment, and efficiency gains can be documented with the reason of two gases, not the absolute emission rate. The data is then transmitted or linked to a computer on which a processing module or resident numeric can determine the methane emission reductions and, optionally, convert those reductions into verifiable carbon credits.
[0101] [0101] In addition to generating high-value GHG displacements, the system can serve as a livestock management tool. The methane and carbon dioxide ratios obtained provide valuable information on the condition of the animal and the pasture. In addition to generating high-value GHG displacements, the system can serve as a livestock management tool. The methane / carbon dioxide ratios obtained provide valuable information on the condition of the animal and the pasture. Mass flow rates of methane and carbon dioxide can be used together with numerical models to estimate dry matter intake, digestibility, and animal efficiency. This data can be useful in conjunction with production data to select breeders that produce more meat and milk with less feed resulting in lower emissions of greenhouse gases and improved animal welfare and global sustainability.
[0102] [0102] Methane and carbon dioxide concentrations below the protective cover of the mineral block monitoring system are expected to be relatively high, that is, well above the environment, so that measurements can be made with relatively small equipment. cheap and well tested. For example, instruments equipped with a solid state sensor designed to control air quality in buildings or instruments designed to detect explosives or toxic gases can be useful in GreenFeed animal measurement units. If preferred, however, an embodiment of the system may use an NDIR instrument. As the station is automated with computer-based controls to collect data, data processing, and selectively distributed food / supplements, monitoring costs per animal can be relatively low. As a season can be shared between many cattle or other ruminants, the cost per animal can also be relatively low.
[0103] [0103] The parameters useful to be evaluated for methane and CO2 include a detection limit, a detection range, a response time, repeatability, and selectivity. In order to determine a limit and detection range, in a non-limiting example, methane concentrations from 100 ppm (parts per million) to 2% (well below the LEL) and CO2 concentrations from 400 ppm (environmental history) up to 5% are assessed. Response times can be calculated by generating a response curve and analyzing the curve to determine the time for the detector to reach 90% of its peak value based on a step change in the gas concentration. The detector's repeatability is determined by exposing it to step changes between a specific concentration and a history without multiple challenge gas times. Standard deviations of responses can be calculated to provide a quantitative measurement of repeatability. The selectivity of the detector is proven by exposures to other gases likely to be present. These gases primarily include alcohols from the animal's breath (in the sub-10 ppm range) and water vapor in its breath. A potential interference gas may be ammonia from the animal's waste.
[0104] [0104] Information from the detector and the tracking system is typically transmitted from the nutrient block station or another collection station to a central location where data can be collected from multiple stations. Wireless network technology is used in some implementations, with some modalities using a commercially available wireless communication solution or technology such as Bluetooth or 802.1 1g (WiFi). Each of these technologies has advantages and disadvantages, and the right solution for a given application is highly dependent on the details of a specific application. The 802.1 1g standard is relatively inexpensive due to its widespread use and commercial acceptance. This standard uses direct-spectrum broad-spectrum technology and is somewhat susceptible to noise and RF interference. The Bluetooth standard is also inexpensive and is less susceptible to RF noise and interference because it uses a wide-hopping frequency spectrum technology. A preferred central data collection unit is a PC or similar computing devices with conventional and well-known memory / data storage devices.
[0105] [0105] In short, the use of methane production monitoring and control techniques and devices described here are expected to reduce parasitic GHG emissions from livestock and increase feed efficiency. Changes in methane and carbon dioxide ratios and / or flows to specific animals over short periods of time can also identify animals that need special attention to breed or are at substantial risk of being in the early stages of disease. The use of these systems and methods is still expected to have a desirable and even substantial economic potential. In addition to animal efficiency gains, expected reductions in actual methane emissions based on the wide range of literature values can produce GHG shifts in the amount of $ 1 to $ 20 (U.S. dollars) per animal per year. The actual methane reductions that can be achieved may depend on diet, including antibiotics and / or other mineral or nutrient supplements, and on the animal's genetics.
[0106] [0106] In some embodiments, a precision ruminant feeding and greenhouse gas performance monitoring system is provided that includes a plurality of individual feeding systems or GreenFeed, for example, which can be spread around a field for access by a herd of ruminants, such as sheep, cattle, dairy cows, non-domesticated animals, such as deer or elk, or other non-ruminant animals, such as pigs and horses. Each station in the system can include: a food / supplement distribution system and funnel; a feeding station; an RFID tag system and reader (for example, an RFID panel reader for use with conventional RFID ear tags for livestock and other domesticated animals); a data recorder and instrument controller; and a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor or similar device to determine the presence / amounts of methane and carbon dioxide (and other gases). Each grain / supplement distribution system and funnel can take a number of forms with an example being a metal or plastic funnel (for example, up to a capacity of two tons or similar) combined with a food / distribution system dispensing mechanism to selectively distribute food and / or supplements. The hopper / dispensing system can be an attached feeding station that is, for example, capable of dispensing up to about 4 pounds or more of food per second. The stations or power protection cover that feed individuals through said distribution system may take the form of one-piece poly molded or similar [0104] feeders with, for example, but not limited to, a heavy steel base or other devices for substantially rigid mounting. In some cases, each feeding station with its protective cover and manger is capable of supporting around 50 pounds of food and / or supplement.
[0107] [0107] The animal monitoring part of the system may include components capable of identifying each animal (such as a tag attached to an ear with an RFID tag that stores an identity associated with the animal, a tag with a readable number, a tag with a bar code, or similar) and can also include a temperature monitor such as one that is mounted with the identification tag or separately on the animal's ear (for example, a thermistor with electronics, an antenna, and battery to perceive and wirelessly transmit animal temperature information to a receiver at or near the feed station / feed distribution system on the GreenFeed system / station). The processor / controller used to run software modules to process methane, carbon dioxide, animal data, and the like and to control the food distribution system can take a number of ways to practice the invention and, in one case, the controller is an embedded computer Phidgets SBC Linux available from Phidgets, Inc. Likewise, the analyzer used to obtain measurements of methane and carbon dioxide (and other gases) can take different forms to practice the invention, with one modality using an NDIR analyzer (for example, a CO2 / CH4 / H2O analyzer distributed by Sensors, Inc. or similar) that provides a real-time signaling gas monitor capable of measuring carbon dioxide and / or methane, with sensitive parts per million (PPM)).
[0108] [0108] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate another modality of a GreenFeed 700 system that can be used to provide ruminant feed accurately to control GHG emissions and other parameters (such as ruminant weight gain and the like) and to provide monitoring of GHG performance. System 700 includes a number of aspects or features of system 100 of Figures 1 to 3 and the description of system 100 may be applicable or relevant to system 700.
[0109] [0109] System 700 includes a data analysis station 701 (for example, which can provide the functionality of data analysis station 490 in Figure 4). Data from a remote power station 730 can be transmitted wirelessly to data analysis station 701. The wireless data analysis station 701, which can be a computer with a processor, I / O devices, a monitor, memory and software (for example, programs useful to provide processing and other functions described here), can operate to analyze and store the following data in local or remote memory or data storage: (i) room temperature; (ii) ambient pressure; (iii) relative humidity; (iv) wind speed; (v) time and date; (vi) concentrations of CH4 and CO2 over time (for example, environment and for specific animals); (vii) type and quantities of signal gas released; (viii) C-Lock carbon credit type information that may include, for example, useful data for a C-Lock Ruminant Module such as the baseline of emissions, change in the baseline of emissions, uncertainty and reductions incremental GHG; (ix) identification of the animal using RFID technology; (x) body temperature of the animal; (xi) animal production statistics (for example, meat statistics (for example, current weight, weight gained or lost, weight gain rate, future weight estimate, feed efficiency compared to methane production, and emissions of CO2 per pound of gross animal weight) and dairy statistics (for example, current milk production, increase or decrease in milk production, feeding efficiency compared to methane production, and CO2 emissions per unit of milk produced (xii) tracing of the animal's genetics (for example, tracing and recording of genetic blood lines as it relates to the production of methane); (xiii) recording of the type of food and feed; and (xiv) formulation of the mix and future amount of food.
[0110] [0110] The system 700 may also include one or more non-dispersive infrared sensors or other 702 devices useful for measuring the release of CO2 and CH4 from a ruminant when its head is placed inside the protective cover / manger of the feeding station 730 (it should be noted that the feeding station or its protective cover can be replaced by other stations, such as milking stations in which a ruminant can insert its heads or place its bodies / heads in a position in for a period of time that allows analysis of the breath). In one embodiment, the 702 sensor (s) can include a 3-beam optical design for CH4, CO2 and reference gases within a single light tube or similar.
[0111] [0111] System 700 may also include a wireless data communication device 703 mounted on or near power station 730. Communication device 703 may include a digital cellular modem or common technology for transmitting stored or real-time data from analyzer 702 and / or data record 714. An ear tag scanner 704 such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) can be placed or provided at or near power station 730, and scanner 704 can digitize and record individual animal data (in its own memory or data record 714).
[0112] [0112] Feeding station 730 may include an animal feeder such as a covered manger or the like that is associated with a 711 gravity feed supplement bin or bin. Bin 711 may have a number of nutrient bins or bins and / or supplements to control the segregated to selectively provide a similar number of GHG production / emissions or achieve other goals, such as weight gain. As shown, funnel 711 includes three separate compartments with a first compartment 706 used to store / contain Supplement A (such as a first supplement formulated to reduce methane and / or increase animal production), a second compartment 707 used to store / contain Supplement B (such as a second supplement formulated to reduce methane and / or increase animal production), and a third compartment 708 used to store / contain Supplement C (such as a third supplement formulated to reduce methane and / or increase animal production ).
[0113] [0113] System 700 also includes a conveyor or gravity trigger 709 that connects bin 711 with the protective cover / manger 705 of the feeding station 730, and the gravity trigger / conveyor 709 supplies the animal feeder 705 with the food supplement mix, which includes one or more of the supplements / nutrients from compartments 706, 707, 708. System 700 includes a supplement measuring and mixing device 710 in the 711 supplement bin socket (for example, which controls the exit of each compartment 706, 707, 708 and its contained supplements), and the mixing device 710 mixes and measures an individual animal feed from three or more stored food supplements, such as in response to control signals from data analysis station 701 (or software / hardware on feed station 730 as part of data record 714 or similar). Each ruminant (or selected ruminants within a herd) can be tagged (such as in the ear) with a radio frequency identification tag for the individual animal 712, the tag identifies individual animals for the 700 system (such as by scanning by the tag 704 which can provide data for register 714 and / or data analysis station 701 for querying animal identification, information, and the like and / or for storing collected data that corresponds to animal access to station 730 ). In some embodiments, the 712 tag also acts to monitor the animal's temperature, and this data can be read by the 704 scanner.
[0114] [0114] In some embodiments, the system may also include a metabolic gas intake manifold to collect the animal's breath and draw it in a disorderly manner into an air sampling tube through which air is drawn by a fan and from which metabolic gases are measured. The air flow within the air sampling tube can be mixed with mixing devices to optimize the inlet flow and to reduce the variability of the flow rate through the tube. Airflow through the tube can be determined by measuring the flow rate with a hot wire anemometer or with a pitot tube system such as the EE66 airspeed transmitter available from JLC International or similar. Air flow rates through the tube can be determined by releasing a known signal gas into the tube and monitoring its dilution. Similarly, the capture efficiency of the animal's breath can be determined by releasing a known flare near the animal's mouth and nostrils as documented by a head position sensor.
[0115] [0115] In some embodiments, system 700 may include a hard wired data analysis station 713 instead of or to supplement station 701. Data from a remote power station can be transmitted via wireless communication or wired to the 713 data analysis station. The 713 hard wired data analysis station, which can be a computer with a processor, I / O devices, a monitor, memory and software (for example, programs useful for provide processing and other functions described here), can work to analyze and store the following data in local or remote memory or data storage: (i) room temperature; (ii) ambient pressure; (iii) relative humidity; (iv) wind speed; (v) time and date; (vi) concentration of CH4 and CO2 over time (for example, environment and for individual animals); (vii) the type and quantities of signal gas released; (viii) GreenCert or other carbon credit type information that may include, for example, useful data for a C-Lock Ruminant Module such as an emissions baseline, changes in the emissions baseline, uncertainty and GHG reductions incremental; (ix) identification of the animal using RFID technology; (x) body temperature of the animal; (xi) animal production statistics (for example, meat statistics (for example, current weight, gained or lost weight, weight gain rate, future weight estimate, compared feeding efficiency) with methane production, and CO2 emissions per pound of gross animal weight) and dairy statistics (for example, current milk production, increase or decrease in milk production, feeding efficiency compared to methane production, and emissions CO2 per unit of milk produced); (xii) genetic screening of the animal (for example, tracking and recording of genetic blood lines as it is related to methane production); (xiii) recording of the type of feed and feed and (xiv) formulation of the mixture and quantity of future food.
[0116] [0116] System 700 may also include a data recorder 714 at / near each of the stations 730 provided in system 700 (for example, system 700 may include 2, 3, or more stations 730) or at another location in the system 700. Each data recorder 714 can function to record and store data such as: (i) room temperature; (ii) ambient pressure; (iii) relative humidity; (iv) wind speed; (v) time and date; (vi) concentration of CH4 and CO2 over time; environment and individual animals; (vii) type and quantities of signal gas released; (viii) animal identification through RFID technology; (ix) body temperature of the animal; (x) animal production statistics (eg, meat statistics (such as weight, weight gained or lost, weight gain rate, future weight estimate, feed efficiency compared to methane production, and CO2 emissions per pound) of gross animal weight) and dairy statistics (such as current milk production, increase or decrease in production, feeding efficiency compared to methane production, CO2 emissions per unit of milk produced), and (xi) type recording of food and feed.
[0117] [0117] In some embodiments, the 700 system may also include a scale or other 715 weight determination devices to determine and record the individual animal weight (or pass the information on to the 714 recorder to store in memory or to the station 701, 703 to store or process). Scale 715 can be used to record the gross weight of individual animals located at feeding station 730. Some modalities of the system 700 may also include an audio / visual indicator 716 (on animal feeder 705 or elsewhere). Indicator 716 can be operated by stations 701, 713 or other control mechanisms to signal animals as to feeding times or other events. In addition, some embodiments of the system 700 may include a 717 flare gas release apparatus at or near the animal feeder or cover 705. The 717 release apparatus may function (in response to control signals from station 701, 713, a local controller such as on analyzer 702, or similar) to release a signal gas as a reference point in the measurement of CH4 and CO2 by analyzer 702 and / or data analysis station 701, 713.
[0118] [0118] Figure 8 illustrates an 800 method for monitoring and controlling GHG emissions (and other animal parameters in some applications) as may be practiced by the operation of one or more of the GreenFeed systems described here. At 801, an animal approaches a feeding station or other monitoring location such as a stable or part of an automated milking station / parlor or other milking station / parlor. In 802, a sensor can detect the presence of the animal (for example, a scale, a tag reader, a motion detector, or other animal detection device), and in 803, the animal is identified as by the use of an RFID tag reader to read an ear or other identification tag on the animal. A search can be performed for the identified animal to determine whether the animal was fed on 805 or not fed on 804. If fed, the feed station or other monitoring station is not triggered to distribute food / nutrients as shown in 807, and the animal withdraws later as shown in 810. Data can still be recorded in 811 regarding the animal and its access from the monitoring station (for example, its temperature, its weight, and other monitoring information discussed here).
[0119] [0119] If at 804 it is determined that the identified animal has not been fed within a specific period of time, a light is activated and / or a tone may sound to alert the animal that it is eligible to be fed. In the 805, the air sampling tube and fan are connected to draw air at a known flow rate through the animal's feed unit. When the animal inserts its head in a correct position as monitored by an infrared or sonic sensor or similar, a feeding station or similar is activated in the 806 to distribute food. The food can be chosen based on a previous breath analysis for the animal to try to control GHG production / emission or to control the animal's production. The food distributed, for example, may include a particular mixture of two, three, or more foods and / or supplements that have been determined by a data analysis station as appropriate for the animal identified in the control of its GHG emissions (or for achieve an animal production goal such as weight gain, milk production or similar). At 808, a signaling gas release mechanism can be optionally triggered to release a particular amount of a known tracking gas or gases for use in analyzing the GHG in the animal's breath (as discussed in detail above. At 809, the feed, and its NDIR analyzer or other gas analysis equipment, is triggered to take measurements of the animal's breathing contents including GHG emissions.
[0120] [0120] At 811, the measured data (and other animal data) can be recorded in a local data recorder and / or after transmission to a data analysis station. At 812, the feed station restarts 812 and waits for another animal. In 813, method 800 continues with the data monitored at the individual feed station or another station being analyzed by the software / hardware provided at a data analysis station (or locally at the feed station or another station in some cases). In step 813, the amounts of CH4 and CO2 can be determined for the animal along with the reasons useful for determining which supplements and supplement / nutrient ratios can be used to control the production / emission of GHG by the animal. In 814, data can be uploaded to a server (for example, the data analysis station, a server on a network with the analysis station, or similar) and in 815, the database that stores GHG and other data monitored / analyzed for each animal are updated to reflect the most recent feed and monitoring of the animal with the collected data / analyzer being connected for animal identification (for example, a record can be kept for each animal with fields for each type of information screened).
[0121] [0121] With the above description in mind, the various other particular modalities and implementations will be readily understood by those skilled in the arts. For example, it should be understood that the measuring device can be attached to any place an animal congregates and mixing is restricted such as a passageway or a spout. In some embodiments, the system and / or method can be adapted to support calculating the flow of methane and carbon dioxide from reductions in concentration after the animal has moved away from the feeder. In said cases, for example, the decay in the concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide can be used to establish a dilution factor that can be applied to the feeds to correct them for mixing.
[0122] [0122] In some implementations, the differentiation of metabolic carbon dioxide from ruminant carbon dioxide is tracked / measured so that these two processes can be quantified and differentiated. For example, in practice, when an animal is present (for example, near a feeding station, a stable / milking station, or the like), the carbon dioxide in your breath will begin to increase immediately as it breathes. . Methane and carbon dioxide are both likely to become stuck when eructation occurs and carbon dioxide is likely to achieve a balanced concentration between breaths. The increase slope, corrected for mixing, then supplies metabolic carbon dioxide (muscle). The peak includes this, but is dominated by rumen carbon dioxide and methane, and in some implementations, the metabolic component can be subtracted to more accurately determine the rumen component. Notice, the methane in the metabolic air results from the methane produced in the large intestine, dissolved in the blood, and exchanged with ambient air in the blood. This methane can be visible under ideal conditions in some GreenFeed applications.
[0123] [0123] In some embodiments, the measurement of specific volatile organic compounds may be more important or useful. For example, acetone can be used as a measure of acidosis. The inventor made GCMS measurements of rumen gas and found that to contain a large number of volatile organics, any of which could be an important marker for a specific process or condition and for which a dedicated sensor can be developed and / or included in the system described here. In some current modalities or cases, the GreenFeed unit may include a system for conditionally collecting an entire air sample in a suitable container made of specially passivated Teflon ™ or stainless steel film or a solid absorbent cartridge specially designed to provide a sample for further analysis in a research mode. In this case, the sample pump can be controlled by the computer so that it only samples conditionally when the animal's head is in the correct position. Alternatively, the system can be set to take samples only when the animal's head is in the correct position and the methane detector is detecting eructation. In this way, the sampling system can be controlled so that it only includes eructations or so that it only collects current breath samples and excludes eructations. A diagram of the GreenFeed conditional sampling system is shown in Figure 13. Specific analytical instruments for specific gases of interest can be attached to the GreenFeed sampling tube. However, to support commercial viability, a less specific sensor, but with a lower cost in situ, can be developed and / or used. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it can, at least in some applications, be useful for measuring the history of methane and carbon dioxide in the air when the animal is not present in order to define the historical concentrations present near the sensor. Such historical measurements may allow these historical concentrations to be subtracted from the high concentrations that occur due to the specific animal being measured to improve the accuracy of the described processes and systems.
[0124] [0124] In some modalities, it is desirable to use two NDIR instruments with different selectivities and sensitivities at the same time. Typically, an instrument will have a longer travel length so that it is more sensitive, moving through a very narrow band filter so that it is more selective. The other sensor will have a shorter path length and a rougher filter. As such, it may have similar sensitivity, but it will be less selective for methane. Using these two sensors simultaneously allows a potentially harmful interference tracker such as propane to be used and as each detector has a different sensitivity to propane, the potential interference can be eliminated mathematically (for example, this results in two equations with two strangers, so the interference equation is solvable). This system offers the added advantage that if the cow is producing VOCs that could potentially interfere with methane quantification, the responses of the two instruments will differ and the condition will be quickly perceived.
[0125] [0125] With the above understanding of systems and methods, it may be useful now to discuss the example GreenFeed systems including those with data analysis tools (which can be Internet based or network based) to allow users (such as dairy operators) to view and manipulate data produced by the GreenFeed system. In the following discussion, a series of specific tests and field experiments that were developed by the inventors will be discussed to the extent that they are believed to be useful for further explaining monitoring methods and techniques for adjusting food and / or supplements to reduce GHG emissions and / or increase ruminant growth or production levels and / or to monitor animal health.
[0126] [0126] For example, Figure 9 illustrates a GreenFeed 900 system in a schematic or functional block form. The GreenFeed 900 system is useful for monitoring methane and carbon dioxide emissions from a ruminant such as a 904 dairy cow. The GreenFeed 900 system includes an automatic 910 feeder with a protective cover / manger to receive the ruminant's head 904 such as via an opening or orifice through which air flow 911 can be drawn during feeding (and breathing monitoring operations). Ruminant 904 has been tagged with an identifier such as a 908 ear tag with an RFID chip, and the GreenFeed 900 system includes an RFID tag or 920 tag reader to query the 908 tag to retrieve information regarding the 904 ruminant. (such as an identifier or code assigned to the ruminant that allows its monitored data to be connected to the ruminant and allows the supplement and feed information for the ruminant to be tracked and later retrieved / updated).
[0127] [0127] The GreenFeed 900 system also includes an exhaust or exhaust diffuser 912 through which the air flow 911, which includes the ruminant breath 904, is extracted out, filtered, and exhausted in 913. As shown in the However, the sample or exhaust air 913 (which includes the gases expelled by the ruminant) is passed through (or processed during the flow by) a 916 measuring instrument such as one configured to determine levels or concentrations of CH4 and CO2. These concentration data together with the capture efficiency data and the flow rate data are used to quantitatively determine the mass flows of the metabolic gas. The data collected by the RFID reader 920 and the measuring instrument 916 can be recorded or stored by the data recorder 926 on the collection site. Then, the data recorder / communication link 926 can function to wirelessly transmit all or parts of the collected data 928 to a communication device / link 930 associated with a GreenFeed host server (computer system) 940 that is adapted to provide the functions of the data analysis station described here.
[0128] [0128] In addition, there may be many applications in which it is desirable for a user such as a livestock farmer, dairy farmer, or similar to be able to remotely monitor their livestock or ruminants. In this regard, a user computer system or network node 950 can be included in the GreenFeed 900 system to allow a user to operate their system / node 950 to access the host server 940 via a digital communications network (such as the Internet ). The 950 user's system can use their web browser to access a website hosted by the 940 server and / or use a data analysis toolkit 952 that runs on their 950 system to process data downloaded from the 940 host server. Examples of data processing that can be performed by the host server and / or the 952 data analysis toolkit are described in detail below, and the following discussion also provides a series of graphs and / or screens that can be provided to or generated by the 950 user system (for example, displayed on a monitor using your web browser and / or the 952 data analysis tool).
[0129] [0129] The GreenFeed 900 system can be tailored to suit unique and very specific needs for individual operators, for example, operators across livestock and dairy industries. It allows farmers or operators to measure methane emissions from individual 904 cows, which can be significant as tests have shown that several individual cows within the same herd (and which are fed similarly) can emit up to 40 percent more methane than others in the herd. The GreenFeed 900 system allows farmers to identify changes in methane emissions from their herds (average levels or cumulative quantities) and / or for individual ruminants over time. This is especially useful for monitoring the animal's health and for providing an early indicator of malaise or illness. It also allows users to measure baseline performance (for example, without supplements or dietary changes) and then monitor changes in emissions as management changes are implemented (for example, with one, two , or more supplement mixtures, with different dietary changes, and so on), which can be particularly useful in projects specifically targeted to reduce methane emissions. The GreenFeed 900 system can also be used to determine when pasture food (or another food source) has undergone any quality change (for example, the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide has decreased indicating a poorer quality pasture food source) ).
[0130] [0130] The GreenFeed system can be used to measure, with instrument 916, the CH4 and CO2 emitted from the cow's mouth 904 during discrete sampling periods. For example, with use with dairy cattle, samples can be taken while a 904 cow is being milked, two or three times a day. When used with other animals, a sample can be analyzed at a feeding station or drinking station at timed intervals. The required or desired intervals are typically dependent on specific management variables. For example, it may be suitable with animals fed continuously to use an aggregate sampling time of fifteen to thirty-five minutes per day in order to define the profiles and emission changes for dairy cows (with these calculations / determinations performed by software on the host server / PC and / or the 952 data analysis toolkit (for example, with web based emission analysis software)).
[0131] [0131] The layout of the GreenFeed 900 system can be easily modified for specific locations based on the existing infrastructure and specific requirements of the location. For example, in dairy products with automatic milking robots, the CH4 and CO2 sensor (s) can be installed in the robots so that a separate feeder / protective cover is not required in the 900 system. specific data (provided by link 926, link 930 and similar) and server requirements (provided by server 940) can be easily integrated with existing software or supplied if needed for a particular implementation. The data analysis toolkit 952 can be configured to provide a user-friendly web-based data analysis tool that allows a user who operates the 950 system to examine the collected and processed / generated data and to track the performance (for example, performance achieved or discovered for each monitored animal) from any location (for example, any location with a 945 Internet connection).
[0132] [0132] Figures 10 to 12 provide results in graphical and tabular form that were obtained from a study completed with a GreenFeed system (such as a 900 system in Figure 9) placed in a dairy. In this study, the instruments of the GreenFeed system were installed in a milking robot. The CH4 and CO2 emissions (breath plus eructations) from each cow were collected automatically during milking. Milking times ranged from 5 to 15 minutes and occurred two to three times a day. No major maintenance or major adjustments were required for the GreenFeed system during the course of the test.
[0133] [0133] Figure 10 illustrates a graph or stratagem 1000 illustrating typical measured values with the CH4, CO2 measurement instrument over time. In stratagem 1000, the cow entered the robot or milking started at the time shown by line 1030 and the cow left the robot or milking ended at the time shown by line 1032, which in this example was about 9 minutes. Line 1010 illustrates typical measurements of crude CH4 with line 1015 showing historical levels, and line 1020 illustrates typical measurements (taken concurrently with CH4) of crude CO2 with line 1025 showing historical levels. As shown, each peak of CH4 and CO2 corresponds to a belching event for the cow and lasts for about 1 minute.
[0134] [0134] Figure 11 provides a table 1100 of the average daily CH4 / CO2 ratios for a set of 14 cows during a 54-day dairy study. As can be seen, the cows on the left in table 1100 have higher ratios, which show that the CH4 / CO2 ratios can differ significantly within a single herd of animals being fed and somehow treated similarly. In this test "Vaca 1" was 38 percent higher than "Vaca 14" on average. The effect of a change in diet is also shown by the data in table 1100 as the diet was changed between Day 7 and Day 40.
[0135] [0135] Figure 12 provides a 1200 chart that plots dry matter intake (DMI) with line 1210 over time and also plots caloric intake (VEM) with line 1220. In order to allow for the effect of changes in DMI and / or VEM in the methane to be monitored, graph 1200 also plots the values for the average ratio of CH4 to CO2 of the herd during the same period of time (and for the same monitored herd). Also, the stratagem shows where a change in feed occurred in the 1240 to allow an operator of a GreenFeed system to readily identify the effects of changes in herd management on the CH4 to CO2 ratio. As shown for this test data set, the average CH4 / CO2 herd ratios increased when the feed was changed (ie DMI and VEM were reduced in 1240). The results of the operation of the GreenFeed system shown in graph 1000, table 1100 and graph 1200 show that the system (like the 900 system in Figure 9) can be used to efficiently monitor CH4 differences and trends over time . The production of the information by the GreenFeed system can be used by a farm operator to achieve superior feeding efficiencies, lower greenhouse gas emissions and higher profits.
[0136] [0136] In general, the GreenFeed system can be considered to include an instrumented feeder station that measures CO2 and CH4 emissions in real time from the nose and mouth of the ruminant such as the nose and mouth of the dairy cow. A GreenFeed system can include an RFID or other identification system to identify individual animals such as a particular livestock in a herd to monitor and to control food and supplements for that particular animal. Each GreenFeed system can include a software tool (s) that work to record and analyze the specific ruminant CH4 and CO2 emissions and other available process parameters (for example, time of day, animal weight, animal temperature animal, and so on). An objective of the design of a GreenFeed system is to provide a cost-effective tool and method for farmers and ranch owners to use in health monitoring and in managing the feed and production of their ruminant herd.
[0137] [0137] Expanding on developing the study discussed above in a dairy, the dairy used an automatic milking robot that allowed cows to be milked on demand. Each cow was fed with a mixture of food and concentrates (supplements) prepared in a unique way, with "continuous" food during the day. The following data were collected for each cow: (a) volume of milk (per milking period); (b) cow's weight (per milking period); (c) daily food intake (for example, DMI, VEM, food mix by weight (such as Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4, Type 5 and Type 6), and weight of concentrate (Type A. ..Type E or similar)); (d) calving date for each cow; and (e) CO2 and CH4 emissions as measured / determined with GreenFeed system instruments.
[0138] [0138] Regarding the measurements of CH4 and CO2 emissions during the dairy test, a CH4 and CO2 sampling probe was placed or positioned on the robot to be close to the cow's nose when a cow is using feed via of a milking robot. In this test, the CH4 and CO2 sensors were sensors available from Madur Electronics of Vienna, Austria. The CH4 and CO2 instruments were operated to measure concentrations on a one-second basis, 24 hours a day, including during each milking period and also while the cows were not present to obtain historical levels for these gases. The GreenFeed records generated and stored of the visit of each cow in a milking robot, with documented entry and egress times, and this allowed the measured emission concentrations to be correlated with or attributed to specific cows within the dairy herd. During the test, 25 days of emission measurements were obtained for 39 different cows, with 26 of the 39 cows remaining in the study for the entire period.
[0139] [0139] As discussed above, Figure 10 provides a graph 1000 plotting concentrations of CO2 and CH4 that were measured over a milking period during the test. The GreenFeed system includes data analysis software that calculated historical concentrations of CH4 and CO2 (see lines 1015 and 1025 in graph 1000), and these concentrations were found to change during the test period (for example, a fixed historical level not should typically be assumed or used in CH4 and CO2 calculations). The GreenFeed system then calculated the areas under the CH4 and CO2 curves for each milking period (ie, area below line 1010 between start 1030 and close 1032 and area below line 1020 between start 1030 and closure 1302 in graph 1000). For example, the area of methane could be a sum over the milking period of: Δtime * (CH4Avg CH4History), where Atempo can be 1 second, CH4Avg is the average concentration of methane, and CH4Histion is the historical concentration of methane. A similar area calculation is used for carbon dioxide. Then, the ratio of the CH4 and CO2 areas was calculated as on an average daily basis for each cow (with 1 to 3 milking periods). While not performed in the test, it is expected that many implementations of the GreenFeed system will also measure / determine the mass flow of CH4 and CO2.
[0140] [0140] With reference to Figure 10 and Graph 1000, it can be seen that normalizing CH4 concentrations by CO2 and the trend over time is a useful practice if certain assumptions are made. First, so-called normalization assumes that changes in respiration rates over time are small when compared to changes in rumen CO2. Second, from the test and graph 1000, the CO2 breathed appears to be relatively small in magnitude when compared to the CO2 released from the rumen as the measurements clearly show the CO2 peaks from each eructation. Third, it was determined in the test that historical concentrations of CO2 and CH4 will typically vary enough (for example, one to two tenths of a percentage change or more over time) during monitoring by a GreenFeed system that is desirable for process the monitored data taking into account these historical level changes.
[0141] [0141] At this point, it may still be useful to discuss the results of the data analysis provided by the GreenFeed system in the test performed. Figure 12 provides a 1200 chart that can be generated by the GreenFeed system and displayed (or produced) for a user computer system (for example, on a GUI or monitor) that communicates with the GreenFeed host server. Graph 1200 plots the averages of the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide in the herd daily over time. A change in feeding occurred at the time 1240, and in the test, the change in feeding was from a mixture of corn / gram to a mixture of gram / alfalfa. As shown with graph 1200 and line 1230, the most significant occurrence related to the CH4 / CO2 ratios was the change in feed at 1240 as the CH4 / CO2 ratios increased 24 percent after the food was changed . The change in food in particular is not as significant for the GreenFeed system as is the effectiveness in monitoring CH4 / CO2 ratios over time to determine the effect of food types and mixtures (which will generally include supplements to control emissions methane and / or increased production).
[0142] [0142] As shown with table 1100 in Figure 11, the GreenFeed system and its data analysis system / software can be used to track each individual cow in a herd (or a monitored subset) from methane to carbon dioxide ratio over time. In table 1100, the data was separated so that cows with higher ratio values (on average) were placed on the left so that the average ratios increased from left to right. Again, this data is useful to show a dairy operator that the reasons can vary enormously between cows (which can be an indicator of a genetic factor that can be useful over time to reduce methane emissions or increase farm productivity. flock). Also, the table is useful to show that the average herd ratio has increased significantly with a change in feed (in September, in this test), which is useful for providing readily understandable data for use in food selection and food quality to obtain desired results.
[0143] [0143] The data analysis system can also be used to provide a variety of other graphs, stratagems, and data such as their production, such as to display on a GUI or 950 user system screen on the GreenFeed 900 system (for example, example, via the data analysis toolkit 952 operation). For example, tool kit 952 can operate to produce or display a stratagem of methane to carbon dioxide ratios versus caloric intake or VEM. A said trait was provided during the above test and provided the average herd versus VEM ratios by date (for example, the reason for one day was plotted versus an average VEM for the herd for one day). Such a stratagem can be useful in that it links the effect of changes in VEM over time to changes in the ratios of methane to carbon dioxide. In the test, for example, this stratagem graphically or visually indicated that the reasons increased with a change of food.
[0144] [0144] Similar or different stratagems can be provided on a cow-by-cow or animal-by-animal basis. For example, the test included operating the GreenFeed System to produce graphs that plotted the methane versus DMI ratios (over time) for specific cows. In the test and with the change of food, no positive inclinations were found (or all were negative inclinations over time). The GreenFeed system can be well adjusted to determine the effect of changes in feed supplements, and the system can be used to plot methane to methane dioxide ratios for the herd (or for a particular cow) against quantities or quantities of a particular concentrate or supplement.
[0145] [0145] In the test, it was considered that the herd ratio values decreased with increases in a first type of supplement, but increased with increase with a second type of supplement (although this second finding may have been obscured or altered by concomitant change in diet). The stratagems can be provided for different types of food supplements instead of simply increasing the amounts of the supplement. In other words, rations can be determined for a cow or a herd and the supplement and / or composition of the food can be changed based on the determined reasons (for example, try a first supplement, increase or decrease its quantity to achieve a desired ratio, try a second supplement, increase or decrease its amount to achieve a desirable ratio (optimized ratio for the supplement), and then choose which of the two supplements is preferable and distribute in the quantity that provides the optimized ratio).
[0146] [0146] In the study, the GreenFeed system was also used to provide a graph plotting the methane ratios for carbon dioxide versus VEM with each point on the graph representing a different cow and their study period averages. This stratagem was used to "normalize" the exchange of food by averaging the daily emissions of each cow and the EMV over the test or test period. The CH4 / CO2 to VEM ratio when comparing cows was different from that for the same cow during the trial or testing period. This stratagem showed that the cows that ate the most were less efficient in terms of CH4 / CO2 ratios, which can be a useful factor to consider when managing a herd using a GreenFeed system. In addition, the GreenFeed system was also used to monitor what happened to the cows in the days or period after calving. This tracking involved the graphical representation of the daily CH4 / CO2 ratios for these cows in the days after calving, and also the graphical representation of milk production for that same period of time. In that test, it was found that the CH4 / CO2 ratios decreased over time after delivery. This is yet another example of the type of information that can be readily provided with GreenFeed systems due to the continuous measurement of methane and carbon dioxide levels for each cow.
[0147] [0147] To summarize the results of the dairy-based test of the GreenFeed system, the software / hardware-based instrumentation and processes worked as expected (and as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 12). The instrumentation produced reliable measurements of the concentration of CO2 and CH4 throughout the study period with minimal human interaction. The determined CH4 / CO2 ratios varied as much as 38 percent among individual cows with some cows producing consistently higher ratios and other consistently lower ratios (which can stimulate the reproduction of cows in particular to provide a more desirable herd with respect to methane). For the herd, the CH4 / CO2 ratios increased by about 24 percent and the VEM decreased by 29 percent for the same time period when the food source and quantity were changed. According to the test results, cows that ate more food were less efficient in terms of gas production (for example, higher CH4 / CO2 ratios). In the days after delivery, the CH4 / CO2 ratios were affected. Significantly, changes in CH4 / CO2 ratios appeared to be strong or directly related to changes in VEM and DMI, and there are also effects from concentrates / supplements and type of food.
[0148] [0148] The following is an additional explanation of the GreenFeed system including a discussion of its use and benefits. The following explanation then discusses the additional modalities of the feed / monitoring stations that can be used in a field (for example, an automated feeder and monitor, independent for use with cattle or other similar ruminant operations) and in a dairy setting ( for example, at a milking station or robot to provide food / supplements and monitor gas emissions during milking). The explanation also discusses data that can be collected and processed and the sample screens that can be provided to a user through the use of the GreenFeed system.
[0149] [0149] The GreenFeed system provides components that operate together to monitor the metabolic gas composition of animals in a cost-effective, non-intrusive manner. Its design and measurement capabilities can be customized for the measurement of metabolic gases emitted from ruminants. For example, the GreenFeed system can be optimized to quantitatively capture the breath of livestock and to analyze the gases emitted for screening constituents including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor. Consequently, the GreenFeed system provides an important tool for research scientists as well as for those responsible for raising animals, especially ruminants, because it provides data that allow scientists and producers to remotely monitor trace gas emissions, with a high time resolution in almost real time, from a large number of individual animals. Signal gas composition and flow rates are important and useful for monitoring because they can directly reflect or indicate changes in the animal's biological and physical condition. This can lead to improved animal health, higher feed efficiency, lower GHG conditions, increased production and lower costs for operators and society.
[0150] [0150] The processes of consumption, digestives, excretors, assimilators and desassimilators are immediately reflected in the composition of metabolic gases emitted which is determined by the GreenFeed system. For example, ruminants emit CH4, almost all from the end of the animal's head. CH4 emissions represent an energy cost for ruminant animals. The rates of production of CH4 and CO2 by ruminants as well as the rumen emission rates of CH4, CO2 and other screening gases are calculated by the system to provide important diagnostic data regarding the animal's health, as well as data to assist determine the production efficiency of each individual animal or group of animals (for example, meat, milk and calf production). Periodic monitoring of CH4 and CO2 gas emission ratios and flows via the use of the GreenFeed system can potentially provide data that can be combined, by the GreenFeed system or by the system user, with other measurements and routine (for example, gain animal weight, food composition, milk production, core body temperature and the like) to track dry matter intake, changes in rumen function, and changes in aerobic respiration due to changes in animal activity for each individual animal . As will be appreciated, the emission data can be combined with other data sources to better understand the condition of each animal and to monitor any changes that have occurred over time.
[0151] [0151] Measuring and understanding CH4 and CO2 emissions could potentially be beneficial for a number of purposes. For example, using the GreenFeed system to monitor gaseous emissions and to modify food or supplements (or take other management actions) can translate into efficiency improvements, early disease detection, more certain heat detection, improved animal health indicators , and reduced CH4 emissions. The GreenFeed system monitors the composition of the metabolic gases emitted from ruminant animals to track and more quickly identify the ideal strategies that reduce CH4 losses and improve efficiency. Prior to the availability of the GreenFeed system, it was impossible to monitor the metabolic gases emitted without extensive laboratory and analytical facilities, skilled technicians and intrusive animal handling facilities.
[0152] [0152] With respect to Figure 13, the GreenFeed 1300 system includes the following components. First, the system includes a 1310 "station" (such as a protective cover or manger or the like) where an animal is likely to visit voluntarily or a place where an animal can be attracted or placed for several minutes during a day. The "station" 1310 can be, as shown, a feeding station that supplies food or a mineral or other supplement. Alternatively, "station" 1310 could be a drinking fountain where the animal approaches to take a sip of water.
[0153] [0153] The "station" 1310 can be designed to minimize the mixing of the animal's breath with the atmosphere; however, atmospheric air 1307 is also extracted in the system or station 1310 and dilutes the emissions of a visiting animal 1304. The "station" GreenFeed, chamber, protective cover, or manger 1310 is designed so that turbulent mixing is minimized . The 1300 system does not require an airtight seal as it tried with a breathing chamber or a bag or chamber placed over the animal's head. The GreenFeed 1300 system works by attracting an animal 1304 to place its head inside a 1310 device modeled to specifically minimize the dead volume of the device and to reduce turbulent mixing with ambient air. In one example, the opening of station 1310 is large enough to accommodate the animal's head.
[0154] [0154] In the GreenFeed "Pasture" unit or mode of the 1310 feeder or feed unit, the unit is approximately wedge-shaped. As the animal 1304 approaches, its body helps to block the opening of the wedge. Therefore, when animal 1304 continues to move forward to achieve the reward (for example, food, supplement, water or other attraction), its shoulders and head in some way block the opening of station 1310. In addition, the block could be made with flexible side curtains made of a flexible plastic or rubber material or with a device such as an air curtain, similar to those used to minimize mixing in openings in the building. The wedge or station 1310 can also be designed so that it is able to pivot towards the wind. Therefore, the air flows smoothly towards the wedge point and over the top and sides of the animal 1304.
[0155] [0155] In some applications, a 1358 fan or air pump is used to draw a quantified amount of air 1307 over and around the animal's head through the inlet and through a sample collector consisting of a series of air diffusers. inlet or a single-port diffuser connected to a 1350 central sample tube and to the atmosphere as shown in 1359. Primarily, samples are routed through continuous analytical instruments to measure metabolic gas concentrations in real time (such as with CH4 and CO2 1322 sensors, which are positioned on the protective cover / station 1310 and powered by batteries or 1320 solar power source). In addition, air samples can be collected from tube 1350 via sample port 1356 for further analysis from individual animals or the aggregate for the herd.
[0156] [0156] In an application of the 1300 system, the 1322 instruments include non-dispersive infrared analyzers for CH4 and CO2 for continuous gas measurements. Additional analytical instruments could include measuring the concentrations of a wide range of screening gases. Additional measurements could include ambient air wind speed with device 1365, wind direction with device 1360, relative humidity with device 1359, the direction in which the GreenFeed 1310 station faces the wind direction, temperature and humidity of the air in the sample tube 1350, and other measurements (with the 1359 device) that can be used to determine the mass flow of air through the sample system and the dilution that occurs due to mixing with ambient air 1307.
[0157] [0157] A beacon can be incorporated into station 1310 via beacon 1328 so that when an animal 1304 inserts its head in the correct location as indicated by an infrared proximity, an ultrasonic sensor, or another 1324 sensor designed to indicate the position of the animal's head within the station, a signal gas is released nearby into the animal's nostrils. The resulting signal concentrations are then measured in the 1350 collection tube. After that, the same flow of signal gas is inserted directly into the 1350 collection tube and measured. The concentration ratio of the release close to the animal's nose compared to that inserted into the 1350 collection tube can be used to calibrate the animal's breath capture rate when using the GreenFeed 1300 system. In one example, propane is used as a flag. When propane is used, a cartridge containing an odorant purifier is inserted so that the odor does not distract animals using the GreenFeed unit. However, other gases such as butane or CO2 could be used as well. The signal flow can also be modulated so that the tracking signal can be differentiated from the CH4 and CO2 emission, although the CH4 1322 sensor can also respond to propane.
[0158] [0158] In another example, a separate sensor that only responds to the signal gas is used. In a third example, two 1322 sensors that respond to CH4, but have different responses to the signal gas, can be used to differentiate the signal from the CH4 emitted by the ruminant. In this case, the data are linked in two separate equations with two strangers. In other applications, a chemical filter can be used to differentially remove the signal gas at periodic intervals so that the two flags and the CH4 emitted from the ruminant can be calculated. In another example, CO2 can be used as the flag and released at intervals that differ from the intervals released from the animal and therefore the release frequency is modulated so that the tracking signal can be identified and removed from the emission signal from the animal.
[0159] [0159] The data is collected in a local data logger or computer or transmitted to a remote computer. Data transmission can use an Internet connection, a cell phone connection, a wireless Internet connection, or a connection to low-earth orbit communications satellites. Data processing can be all or partly completed on the site using computer systems in residence on the GreenFeed 1310 unit or raw data can be stored on the site and transmitted periodically to a remote computing facility or any combination of the two schemes.
[0160] [0160] Computer software is used to analyze data and to mark data that may be uncertain because of an animal's head position, wind speed, wind direction, excessive mixing, or other problem detected by GreenFeed instrumentation . The software modules are designed to operate the GreenFeed unit, monitor operational variables and collect data from all sensors. Additional software modules for processing data, for displaying data to users, and for interfacing with users in an intuitive way have also been designed. A GreenFeed control interface allows remote operation of the GreenFeed system via a computer with an Internet connection, or in addition, via a "smart" cell phone capable of connecting to the Internet. Alternatively, the data could be stored in a media location for the GreenFeed unit to collect periodically and / or to transfer.
[0161] [0161] The GreenFeed system can be powered by line power. Alternatively, the GreenFeed system is powered by two 1320 deep cycle 12 volt batteries. The 1320 batteries can be recharged from line current, or in one example, the batteries are recharged via a solar panel (not shown in Figure 13 ). In one example, the GreenFeed system collects sensor data at a resolution of approximately one second. Station 1310 includes an RFID sensor 1326 to read a tag on animal 1304 so that animal identification information can be recorded and / or sent to a data analysis station to allow monitoring of gas and other monitored data to be linked to particular animals 1304. Additionally, station 1310 includes a feed bin 1340 that can be automated to deliver food and / or supplement of a particular amount and type to suit identified animal 1304 (for example, food and / or supplements provided by type and quantity in response to previously tracked gas emissions such as methane to carbon dioxide ratios or other monitored information).
[0162] [0162] In some modalities, the GreenFeed system is customized to take advantage of, or to create specific locations where animals voluntarily visit, periodically throughout the day, for a period of minutes during each visit so that measurements Quantitative data can be composed of metabolic gases emitted. In the following example, the GreenFeed system includes an automated feeder that attracts animals. However, as discussed above, the GreenFeed system can also be incorporated into a milking robot, and a unit based on the same principles and instrumentation can be readily adapted to work in conjunction with drinking facilities such as chutes and spouts.
[0163] [0163] While the animals are at the feeding station (or at the milking station or other location), ambient air is drawn through the animal's nose at a specific measured flow rate and through a sampling diffuser or sample collector in a sample collection tube. A subsample of this gas is routed to gas analyzers capable of continuous analysis. Alternatively, the subsample could be routed conditionally on a sample collection device for further analysis of screening gases in a laboratory. That is, the computer can control the gas sampling system based on monitored variables independently. For example, gas samples can be collected only during eructations or, alternatively, gas samples can be collected only in the absence of eructations. In one example, air is drawn over the animal and through the animal's head and nostril at a rate of about 100 cubic feet per minute through an air sampler or air sampling tube fitted with an air pump. air or exhaust fan. From this tube, air samples are extracted using instruments. For example, NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) instruments that are able to continuously analyze concentrations of signal gas flowing through the tube in a resolution of about one second can be used, but other analytical instruments based on other operating principles could be used as well. The flow rate through the tube and mixing with ambient air is designed to create mixing ratios that are ideal for the specific instruments chosen for measurements. In the example described above, CH4 mixing ratios typically range from 1 part of CH4 per 1,000 parts of air while CO2 ranges from 1 part of CO2 to 200 parts of air. These values are high enough that in most cases, variations in historical concentration do not greatly influence measurements from individual animals.
[0164] [0164] Additional sensors that can be used in the GreenFeed System include solid state sensors to measure trace gases such as CH4 or volatile organic emissions, to measure other trace gases such as acetone or hydrogen sulfide, or to measure others metabolic screening gases of interest. In one embodiment, a sensor is included specifically to monitor the signal gas that is released in the GreenFeed unit near the animal's nostrils. In one example, the flow rate of the signal gas can be precisely defined using, for example, a precise gas pressure regulator and a flow control valve. The change in weight of the signaling gas container can be measured precisely over a specified time interval. From that date, the mass of the signal released per unit of time can be precisely determined, and the mass of the signal collected in the sampling tube can also be calculated from the responses of the instrument. From these data, the rate of "capture" of gas that is pulled into the collection tube can be calculated.
[0165] [0165] In another example, the rate of release of the flag does not need to be known exactly, and is constant over time. In this case, the flag is released close to the animal's nostrils, when the proximity detector indicates that the animal's head is in the correct position to collect a sample of the metabolic gases emitted by the animal. Periodically, the release of the flag is exchanged so that it is released into the collection tube. The ratio of the two values can be used to quantify a rate of capture of the animal's emissions, and the rate of emission of the signal mass does not need to be known. In one example, the flag does not need to be released for each animal. Instead, the capture rate that measured other animals under specific conditions can be used to accurately estimate an animal's capture rate under similar conditions. From these data, numerical relationships can be established to predict capture rates without releasing the flag for all animals. External sensors can also be added to a station including a sensor to detect wind speed and direction and an external humidity (ambient air) sensor. The GreenFeed system implements a series of independent methods, each with independent uncertainties that when combined ensure that uncertainties in flow measurements are minimized. The GreenFeed system is also designed to obtain uniform flow measurements and also to obtain well-mixed representative analytical measurements.
[0166] [0166] In addition to real-time analysis of the signal gas concentration in the collection tube, in one configuration, the gas subsamples are collected from the airflow tube and stored in containers, such as stainless steel canisters or bags Teflon® or Tedlar® for further analysis by suitable analytical instruments such as gas chromatographs equipped with flame ionization detectors to measure CH4 and other volatile organics. The subsample is conditionally routed on a sample collection device for further analysis of screening gases in a laboratory. That is, the computer can independently control the gas sample system based on monitored variables. For example, gas samples can be collected only during eructations, or alternatively, gas samples can be collected only in the absence of eructations. In another configuration, samples are collected directly from the airflow tube and analyzed directly, without sample containers, by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry or other suitable analytical instruments.
[0167] [0167] With the air currents and the movement of the animal's head constantly changing, the rate of respiration of the ruminant animal traveling to the airflow tube compared to the rate that is mixed in the historical air or in some way lost for the system can change. In a preferred embodiment, additional data is collected in order to quantitatively characterize the rate of "capture" of the animal's breath that is pulled into the airflow tube. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment of a GreenFeed system, several independent strategies are implemented to quantify catch rates and mixing conditions within the feeder, including: (a) the GreenFeed system profile and the food tray are designed to minimize turbulent mixing as the air blows through the system and the animal using it; (b) a diffuser at the entrance to the airflow tube and the air collector system using one (or more) diffuser is designed to efficiently capture emissions from the animal's nose and mouth via a well-defined region monitored by the proximity sensors, and the air sample tube of the GreenFeed system is designed to minimize the dead volume and to improve the "intake flow" of gases emitted by the animal traveling through the system; (c) an air filter is placed adjacent to the inlet diffuser to remove particles that can affect measurements and sensors and help to create a uniform mixture; (d) a "honeycomb" of tubes are placed in the airflow tube to create a uniform cross-sectional flow and to perfect mixing through the cross-section (alternatively, the stainless steel mixing elements designed to create the multiple terminal mix and minimum pressure drop vortexes are placed inside the airflow tube (Figure 14)); (e) sensors are used to monitor wind speed and direction and to document the direction in which GreenFeed is pointing in relation to ambient air currents; (f) a sensor or a sensor system, preferably an ultrasonic sensor, is used to measure the proximity of the animal's nostrils to the GreenFeed air intake diffuser; (g) continuous measurements of CO2 mass mixing ratios are made in the GreenFeed airflow tube; (h) continuous measurements of the mixing ratio of the mass of CH4 and / or other metabolic gases emitted by an animal are made from a subsample of air that passes through the GreenFeed sample tube; (i) continuous measurements are made of changes in water vapor within the airflow tube compared to the air vapor concentration of ambient air (since an animal's breath is saturated with the water value, changes in water concentrations water vapor measured in the airflow tube can be compared with measurements of ambient water vapor and the total airflow through the tube to calculate the total flow of metabolic gases through the sample tube); (j) continuous measurements of the air flow rate through the GreenFeed sampling tube, for example, using a pitot tube and measuring a change in pressure when air passes through the sample tube or using a wire anemometer hot to measure air velocity through the sample tube; and (k) the periodic release of a known amount of a non-toxic signal gas can be done within the GreenFeed system to calculate the total airflow rates and to define the animal's metabolic gas capture rates.
[0168] [0168] With respect to this final strategy, to minimize the potential for calibration errors to affect the calculation of the capture rate, the flow of the flag can be switched periodically from being released in proximity to the animal's nostrils until the flag is released directly into the sample tube. The reason for the two valves is the capture rate. This capture rate can then be used to calculate the capture rate of the animal's breath. For example, if the concentration of the flask measured in the airflow tube when injected directly near the animal's nostrils is 8 and the concentration of the flask measured at the same point in the airflow tube when injected directly into the tube is 10, then the GreenFeed station is capturing about 80 percent of the animal's breath. Therefore, to calculate the total mass emission from the animal, the concentrations of metabolic gases (mass or mixing ratios) measured in the airflow tube are multiplied by the flow rate through the airflow tube multiplied by an catch rate of 10/8 or 1.25.
[0169] [0169] The GreenFeed unit (for example, the 1310 station or feeder) can be designed to pivot so that it is facing the wind similar to a pinwheel. The model of the GreenFeed unit is typically also aerodynamically designed to minimize turbulent mixing of air in the feed unit so that a high percentage of the gases emitted from the animal's breath are captured under a wide range of environmental conditions.
[0170] [0170] GreenFeed sensors can be retrofitted to the automatic concentrate feeder inside an automatic milking robot. Figure 14 illustrates a concentrate feeder 1400 with a body 1404 for supporting a concentrate dispenser as well as other useful components in a GreenFeed system that incorporates the feeder 1400. Body 1404 is configured to receive the head of an animal and provide a tray or feed chute 1406 at a bottom and a head position sensor 1408 above tray / chute 1406 to detect when an animal has inserted its head into feeder 1400. At this time, the operation of the other components useful for sampling gas or other sampling is triggered. A sheet or pair of blocks or airflow barriers 1410 can be provided on one or both sides of the chute receiving the head 1406 to reduce airflow rates and mixing to facilitate collecting the animal's breath while feeds on the 1406 rail / tray. Note, the 1400 feeder can also be used as a standalone unit without the robot, and GreenFeed sensors can be incorporated into this device.
[0171] [0171] As shown, a milking robot is retrofitted with sample intake manifolds in close proximity to animal feed unit 1404. Specifically, feeder 1400 includes a gas sampling set 1420 including an intake manifold / diffuser 1420 is provided immediately above and adjacent to one, two, three or more sides of tray / rail 1406. The gas sampling set 1420 further includes a sample collection or air flow tube 1424 with a dust collector / filter 1426 in an upstream location of the sampling instruments. Tube 1424 may further include a flow distributor 1428 for controlling the flow of air / gas through tube 1424.
[0172] [0172] A 1430 signal gas inlet mechanism is provided to selectively (with controls that allow exchange) provide the signal gas in the trough / tray 1406 area for collection with the breath of an animal and into the tube 1424 (as discussed above). Assembly 1420 further includes a fan 1440 for extracting air / breath gases into diffuser 1422 and through tube 1424 at a desired flow rate. A 1444 flow meter can be included to determine or measure the flow rate of the sample gas on a continuous or periodic basis. The 1420 set also includes one or more electronic devices / sensors, such as for measuring methane, carbon dioxide, tracking gases, and other information (as discussed throughout this description).
[0173] [0173] During the operation of the 1400 feeder, a representative subsample is routed through real time analytical instruments 1450. In addition, a gas subsample could be collected in a container (not shown) for future laboratory analysis. The specific subsample can be controlled conditionally by the computer to collect the specific components of the animal's breathing. For example, she can sample eructations conditionally or she can sample lung emissions conditionally, avoiding eructations, other conditional samples can be defined. The 1420 gas collector is equipped with an exhaust fan or other 1440 devices to draw air from the vicinity of the animal's nostrils while it is in the dairy robot. The air flow is calibrated, preferably by directly measuring the speed using a 1444 device such as a hot wire anemometer or by measuring the pressure in the manifold using a device such as a pitot tube to measure the pressure drop over a restriction.
[0174] [0174] In some cases, only the ratios of metabolic gases emitted by animals are measured, such as the ratio of CH4 emitted to CO2 emitted as determined by the operation of sensors 1450 and / or software in electronics 1450. However, in the cases in which that it is desirable to measure the mass flows of metabolic gases, the mass flow of air through the collector 1420 and the tube 1424 is determined, and the capture rate of the metabolic gases emitted from the animal is determined. The capture rate can be determined using an external flag 1430 in the same way as described for the GreenFeed 1300 feeder system in Figure 13. Alternatively, the capture rate can be determined by releasing a flag attached to the animal or emitted by the animal. As an additional alternative, the capture rate could be determined for each set of specified atmospheric conditions, ambient wind speed, wind direction and other variables. Then, these variables can be used to develop correlations that are indicative of specific metabolic gas capture rates. In this case, the signaling system could be deployed intermittently in order to test and confirm the predicted metabolic gas capture rates. If a signal gas is used that can be measured by sensors that also measure methane, it is also useful to document the methane sensor calibration. Signal gas interference in methane measurements can be eliminated by modulating the signal gas and / or including two methane sensors with differential sensitivity to the flag.
[0175] [0175] Basically, the GreenFeed 1400 feeder is a semi-enclosure system that is not designed to be airtight or to collect 100 per cent of the animal's gas emissions at all times, but within which air and air flows gas exchanges can be quantified precisely under the conditions of most fields. The air exchange in the GreenFeed 1400 system feeder is optimized so that it is low enough to minimize mixing and therefore produce concentrations from individual animals that are much higher than the historical one and that can therefore be measured with relatively inexpensive continuous analytical instruments 1450. However, flows are high enough that a well-quantified and high proportion of the metabolic gases emitted by individual animals is captured under a wide range of conditions. In addition, because of the redundant nature of measurement sensors (for example, sensors that measure wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, airflow, flare release, animal nose position, CO2 and CH4), the GreenFeed 1400 station and a system associated with an analysis station and / or user system produces data that can be processed and qualified quickly. It is recognized that under specific conditions where there is an erratic and very large mixture, which results in relatively low capture ratios, the data will be more uncertain than the data collected under ideal conditions. The GreenFeed system monitors the variables sufficiently so that data suspected of having high uncertainty can be quickly identified and separated so that they do not improperly deviate the results.
[0176] [0176] Figure 15 is a combination chart 1500 showing with chart 1510 the distance from the nose observed / measured with line 1515 from the admission of a Greenfeed feeding station (such as stations 1310, 1400), with chart 1520 providing line 1525 showing methane measured, and with graph 1530 providing line 1535 showing rumen carbon dioxide and line 1537 showing historic carbon dioxide over a test period (for example, an operation milking with a milking robot and 1400 concentrate feeder). As shown, Figure 15 includes a 20-minute footage of "Nose Position" with graph 1510 and "CH4" and "CO2" concentrations from unit 1400 with graphs 1520, 1530. These data represent a series of different animals. As GreenFeed systems are used in the field, potential new uses of the data are becoming evident to inventors. In Figure 3, each eructation event is apparent in the data from peak CH4 concentrations (every 30 to 40 seconds). It is also possible to observe that the rates of metabolic CO2 emissions and the CO2 peaks that are emitted with the CH4 peak. The CO2 peaks shown in line 1535 are believed to be associated with the CH4 peaks shown in line 1525 originating from the rumen, and the difference with the history in line 1537 is metabolic CO2, as illustrated. In some modalities of the GreenFeed system, changes in the humidity associated with the animal's breathing are also measured over time, and the measured humidity is used to provide an "internal beacon" to determine uniformity emissions measurements from a animal.
[0177] [0177] Typically, as shown by tests and graphics by the inventors, a cow enters a GreenFeed feeder and does not erupt immediately. However, the concentration of CH4 increases in a small amount before eructation occurs. This increase is believed to be associated with CH4 expelled through the lungs, which is a normal part of the physiological process. Therefore, it is possible and practical to estimate the CH4 ratio of the lung compared to the eructed CH4 in order to provide a more accurate calculation of the CH4 expelled as part of the eructation alone (which can be controlled through the management of supplements, concentrates, food and the like. as described in detail here).
[0178] [0178] Through the operation of a GreenFeed system, such as the 900 system in Figure 9, an operator or user of the system can readily view and manipulate the data monitored or tracked in his herd. For example, Figure 16 illustrates a screen capture 1600 that can be displayed on the 950 user system, and the screen capture 1600 can be populated by data provided by the host server 940 over the 945 network. In some embodiments, the data analysis tools 952 processes this received data to generate one or more tables and graphs as discussed above and / or as shown in the example screenshot 1600.
[0179] [0179] Once the GreenFeed 900 system has collected the data, the data is sent over a wireless link (926 to 930), for example, over the Internet 945, to protect the servers of the 940 computer. The data then are processed automatically and the results are calculated for each animal on the 940 host server with the data analysis software that works as described here. The 950 system user can access and archive the data in his own database on the 950 system, through a web-based, secure and user-friendly interface (which can be provided by the 940 server and / or the 952 tool kit ). The raw data is also made available in a ".csv" file format from the 940 server to the 950 user system via the 945 network so that researchers can complete their own analysis with the data in the 950 system with the software of 952 tool kit.
[0180] [0180] Figure 16 shows an example screen capture of the web-based user interface that is available with a GreenFeed 900 system. As shown, the interface provided in screen capture 1600 includes a part of the 1610 data selection in which a 950 system user can select which data to view and operate. In this example, the user has selected a set or group of animals that can be an entire herd or a subset of a herd of ruminants. Then, within the selected group of animals the user can use a logical connection [drop down] or another input device to select all (average values of the herd and so on) or choose to inspect a particular animal as shown in Figure 16. The data selection area 1610 can also be used to select a particular day or range of days (or a period of time) so that data is retrieved and processed via the 1600 interface and using the 952 toolkit software.
[0181] [0181] Interface 1600 also includes a window or part 1620 that shows a graph of methane concentrations monitored for the herd or animal chosen in the data selection window / part 1610 during the chosen time period. Window 1630 is a table filled with sampling times for the herd / animal and the sampling results including concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide (which can be calculated as discussed above). The table in window 1630 also shows a calculated ratio of methane to carbon dioxide for the herd / animal at each sampling time. Additional data can be illustrated on interface 1600 such as battery voltage (as shown) or other sampling parameters such as humidity, wind speed, animal temperature and the like.
[0182] [0182] The user of the 950 system and its 952 analysis toolkit can further process the data received from the GreenFeed 940 server to generate a series of graphs to provide visual representations of the tracked animal's data. For example, interface 1600 is shown to include a 1640 window with a graph showing the concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide over a selected time (such as a particular milking period or visit to the feeding station), and this table shows the concentrations in an overlapping manner that correlates the peak concentrations measured during each eructation. Another window / area 1650 can be used by tool kit 952 to provide a graph of the calculated ratios of methane to carbon dioxide for the herd / animal as during the same time period used in the 1640 window graph or another time period selected separately. As will be appreciated, the GreenFeed system provides a powerful tool to not only collect data from a herd and based on the individual animal, but also to access, view and manipulate the collected data to make herd management decisions in a well-informed manner (for example, example, changing feed or supplements for an animal or herd based on data collected and processed, choosing animals for breeding based on genetic factors that make animals more efficient in processing their food and / or that have more gas releases favorable rumen, and so on).
[0183] [0183] At this point, it may be useful to discuss some advantages and useful functions of a typical GreenFeed system. Although GreenFeed systems and processes are entirely new, each component of the system has been extensively tested and the operating envelopes of each sensor are well characterized and understood. Also, the CO2, CH4 measurements of the inventors and the flare with the GreenFeed system can be traced back to gravimetric standards. NDIR instruments have been available for a long time and their performance in wet environments at the concentrations found in GreenFeed is well documented.
[0184] [0184] GreenFeed systems can operate to provide data that is unique and complementary to other methods, for example, GreenFeed systems provide time pictures of CH4 and CO2 emissions from individual animals. Many animals can be tracked for long periods of time with little intrusion into the animal's normal routine. A typical GreenFeed system does not provide continuous data for all animals, all day, every day. However, it can be operated to provide real field data for many animals each day. The data is ideal for initializing, anchoring and calibrating models that can therefore predict daytime flows more precisely. In addition, a GreenFeed system as described can identify very quickly, cost-effectively and discretely changes in the rumen and metabolic behavior of individual animals over time. In general, a primary advantage of the GreenFeed system is that it is much easier and cheaper to collect data on emissions from a large number of individuals without significant animal handling or associated setup time, analytical work and costs. GreenFeed systems are also robust and simple to maintain over a long period of time so the systems can be useful for long-term studies. In addition, the components of a GreenFeed system are portable and can be easily moved to new locations as research demands change.
[0185] [0185] In practice and use, rations dispensed automatically by a GreenFeed system influence rumen biology and / or grazing behavior. For example, in very good pastures in South Dakota, animals will still visit a GreenFeed feeder for several minutes each day to consume a supplementary ration of a few glasses of alfalfa tablets and samples of their breath emissions. In this case, a small amount of "bait" fed to each individual is so similar to the actual forage in its composition that the bait will not have a significant impact on rumen function. Alternatively, the GreenFeed system with its feeding stations / feeders could be configured to deliver a specific mineral mixture, feed supplement, or antibiotic to only select animals in the herd. Results on CH4 and CO2 can be monitored with the GreenFeed system. Potential applications, treatment, and deployment options are only limited by the creativity of the system operator and its objectives.
[0186] [0186] Several studies can be completed with a GreenFeed system. Monitoring ruminant metabolic gas emissions provides insight into rumen biology as well as catabolic and anabolic processes. For example, the data indicates that a GreenFeed system can help to differentiate the CH4 and CO2 produced in the rumen from CH4 and CO2 emitted directly from the lungs. This data is likely to be relatively sensitive to any physiological or behavioral changes that may occur in each individual animal. Therefore, there may be many potential research applications for GreenFeed to improve efficiency, improve animal welfare, study animal health, but simultaneously to lower the cost for individual producers in the livestock industry.
[0187] [0187] A study can be performed using a GreenFeed system to study CH4 production and dry matter intake (DMI). Previous studies have found that CH4 production is closely related to DMI for individual animals. Therefore, CH4 measurements obtained from GreenFeed can be used / processed by the GreenFeed data analysis software to estimate the amount of DMI for specific animals in a herd, related especially related to each other. The GreenFeed system can also provide a reasonable estimate on a pasture / scale system where it is difficult to estimate the DMI for specific animals.
[0188] [0188] In another case, a GreenFeed system can be used to study CH4 and CO2 emissions in relation to disease detection and prevention. As DMI for individual animals is linked to CH4 production, the health conditions that impact DMI can be reflected quickly in CH4 and CO2 flows. Changes in flows, monitored by a GreenFeed system, could then be used to quickly alert the products of a potential problem (for example, the GreenFeed server could issue alert communications when predefined threshold changes in flows are detected or a said alert can be configured on the user system in its data analysis toolkit), which can limit treatment costs and productivity declines. In addition, it is also likely that specific respiratory diseases that limit efficient air exchange in the lungs are reflected as changes in CH4 and respiratory CO2 compared to rumen CH4 and CO2. The GreenFeed system can provide data to quickly and effectively monitor such changes.
[0189] [0189] In another example, a GreenFeed system can be used to study CH4 production, diet and supplements. CH4 emissions represent a loss of efficiency to the animal. In addition, CH4 is a greenhouse gas. Reducing CH4 emissions both increases productivity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It will be well understood that the various strategies and dietary supplements can potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. GreenFeed can be used to document the effectiveness of specific treatments and to manage which foods and supplements are provided for animals in response to methane emissions as measured by private animals or a herd.
[0190] [0190] In a study example, a GreenFeed system is used to study CH4, CO2 and the animal's efficiency. It is well documented that CH4 losses from individual animals under identical conditions can vary significantly from one to the other. The GreenFeed system is ideal for monitoring these differences. In addition, the data collected and processed from GreenFeed can help determine the causes of observed efficiency differences to help answer questions such as: "Are the differences in CH4 and CO2 flow due to environment, behavior or genetics "
[0191] [0191] In another study example, a GreenFeed system can be used to study CO2 emissions and heat stress. Stress in heat increases metabolic rates in mammals. The GreenFeed system can be used to measure metabolic CO2 emissions under varying atmospheric conditions. It can also be used to assess differences in heat sensitivity between individuals. In addition, CH4 production rates are likely to be affected if the tension in heat leads to changes in behavior that are reflected in the diet or activity level.
[0192] [0192] As yet another example of a use for a GreenFeed system, a system can be used to study CH4 and CO2 emissions and heat detection. DMI typically decreases during the beginning of an animal's heat cycle. In addition, the animal's activity has been documented to increase significantly. Therefore, it is likely that changes in the CH4 and CO2 emission rates for the specific animal may be an additional indicator that an animal is in heat.
[0193] [0193] In another case, a GreenFeed system can be used to study CH4 emissions and pasture quality. Pasture quality changes as a function of grazing intensity and climatic variables. As the quality of the forage decreases, the fraction of raw energy input lost as CH4 also increases. Therefore, a GreenFeed system can be configured to monitor or track significant changes in CH4 and CO2 that will act effectively as indicators of when grazing intensity is reached and / or when there is a need to or can be a benefit of providing one or more supplementation of additional nutrient for a herd (for example, alerting an operator when too many animals are in a pasture, when herds must move to rotate pasture use, when supplements alone can overcome a deficient pasture, and so onwards).
[0194] [0194] As will be appreciated, a GreenFeed system can be used by almost any manager of a herd of ruminant animals. The inventors installed GreenFeed on a robotic milking machine, a stable dairy, and in a herding environment. It will be easy to adapt the same feeder to a feedlot or other dairy environment. In populous conditions, a GreenFeed system can benefit from normal animal control measurements until it limits access to the feeder for one animal at a time for each sampling period (for example, 5 minutes or more per sampling in some cases). In this sense, however, access can be easily automated using typical animal control measurements.
[0195] [0195] The number of cows per GreenFeed feeder or sampling station will depend on the application and the situation. It will be useful for users to estimate the number of feeders needed for their specific purposes. The GreenFeed unit can be used on multiple animals and in continuous feeding situations. Where animals have had good access to the unit / feeder most of the time, the feeder will be able to serve many animals such as cows (perhaps up to 60). In grazing situations, where animals such as cows move and do not waste significant time in a specific location, it would be more preferred to use more feeders (or less animals per feeder / sampling station).
[0196] [0196] In some modalities, each animal uses a GreenFeed station for at least 5 minutes total per session. That schedule provides measurements for 6 or 7 eructation events. Eructation rates may vary, however the test data collected indicates that they normally occur every forty seconds for most animals. Therefore, a user of the GreenFeed system can estimate how much time animals / cows should spend at a GreenFeed location and how many GreenFeed units will be used to achieve specific project goals. GreenFeed systems are generally designed so that each animal can be fed a specific amount of food supplement in a specific period of time. In addition, with multiple feeders, specific animals could be allowed to eat at one feeder and others at a different feeder with a different type of food. Therefore, animals can be treated differently, and the system is very flexible to adapt to a specific research program.
[0197] [0197] At this point in the description, it may be useful to describe a typical sampling sequence for a specific animal when using a GreenFeed system. This description describes an example useful project and also includes variations and potential alternatives to that example (but not limiting) project. First, an animal, preferably a ruminant animal such as a cow, approaches a GreenFeed feeding station. The GreenFeed unit in some preferred modes is configured to pivot with the wind (for example, with the opening for the protective cover / manger facing outward from the wind and airflow or with the solid body of the protective cover / manger facing the oncoming wind) so that the animal facing the wind with its head inserted in the GreenFeed unit or feeding station. With this pinwheel rotation of the unit, the wind flow is directed over and around the GreenFeed unit in a way that minimizes turbulence and mixing within the protective cover / manger in which the gas sampling takes place.
[0198] [0198] The shape of the GreenFeed feeding station or protective cover / manger is optimized so that when occupied by an animal, the airflow in the opening of the protective cover / manger is smooth and the turbulent mixture in which the nostrils of the animal are located is minimized (or at least reduced to acceptable levels). Alternatively, the feed station or GreenFeed unit could be located in a stable or other shelter or on an automated milking machine or on a community water distribution system so that the effect of varying wind currents and wind directions is minimized. As another alternative, the mixture close to the animal's head could be minimized by placing curtains made of flexible material such as rubber scraps or translucent plastic wind doors (for example, the animal inserts its head through mobile rubber scraps. which can be held on top of the opening or on the sides of the opening). As an additional alternative, mixing could be restricted with an air curtain, in which air is directed through a narrow slit along the open end of the GreenFeed unit to restrict mixing. Alternatively, the diffuser that leads into the sample tube / sample collector could be replaced by a "hood" type cover through which air and the animal's metabolic gases are extracted.
[0199] [0199] In other words, in some modalities, GreenFeed stations or units are designed to reproductively minimize mixing and / or to reliably quantify the mixture. In a said project, stations are more useful for measuring and monitoring metabolic gas ratios, such as CH4 to CO2 ratios and changes in ratios of these and other similar gases. However, many modalities in which the mixture is controlled and / or quantified are useful for the measurement of mass flows of these gases. The measurement of mass flows of specific metabolic gases is useful to determine the efficiency of the ruminant and the effectiveness of CH4 reduction strategies.
[0200] [0200] In a second step of the sampling sequence, the animal is preferably equipped with a passive RFID ear tag, an RFID tag collar, or an active RFID ear tag or collar to allow each animal to be identified by the GreenFeed system . Alternatively, the animal may not have any tag or collar, but it can be identified from a camera located in the vicinity of the GreenFeed station, but in some cases, each animal is not identified except as a member of a local population of said animals . With respect to a third "step" in the sampling sequence, the GreenFeed system contains devices / components to record the presence of the animal. For example, each GreenFeed unit may contain an RFID reader that can decode the animal's tag and identify a specific individual to the data recorder / data analysis station. The GreenFeed units also use audio and visual cues as an aid to train and notify animals in the neighborhood that they will receive a reward for visiting the unit.
[0201] [0201] As a fourth or next step in the sampling sequence, based on information collected about the individual animal through independent systems or through coupled data collection systems (such as scales to determine the animal's weight and / or measurements of the production of the animal's milk), the GreenFeed system with its analysis software and / or the GreenFeed operators manually determine an ideal allocation of mineral supplement or food supplement to be distributed to the animal over a specific period of time. The food is preferably distributed at a rate that is not faster than the rate of consumption by the animal in order to minimize the remaining material for the next animal and to discourage a "bullying" behavior in which a dominant animal would try to force out of the GreenFeed system the animal using it. In addition, a system of gates and gutters can be implemented to minimize this crowding behavior if necessary. Preferably, if the animal leaves before its allocation has been completely consumed, the distribution system stops. If the animal approaches later, another part of the daily ration can be distributed. In this way, each animal can be encouraged to visit the GreenFeed unit several times a day if the operator so desires. Additional individual distribution times can be defined so that specific animals are dispensed at specific times of the day.
[0202] [0202] As a fifth or next step in the sampling sequence for a modality, the animal is equipped with an active RFID tag that includes a sensor that is resident in the animal's ear canal. When the animal approaches the GreenFeed unit, its identity and body temperature are read and written to a GreenFeed computer / data logger located in the vicinity of the GreenFeed unit.
[0203] [0203] As a sixth or next step in the sampling sequence, when the animal is close to the GreenFeed unit, a sampling tube / air sampler is activated. The fan is turned on and draws a flow of approximately 100 cubic feet per minute through the GreenFeed air sampling system. In the GreenFeed field unit, air is first drawn through a diffuser including a perforated plate that is immediately adjacent to the animal's nostrils while its head is in a feeding position. The diffuser is designed to minimize the turbulent mixing of the animal's breath and eructations. In this way, the air that is extracted from the surroundings of the animal's head, above the area of its nostrils and mouth takes the animal's metabolic gas emissions into the air captured and routed through the air / tube sampling manifold. air sampling. The GreenFeed unit or manger / protective cover is designed to capture the animal's breath and eructations quickly to minimize mixing with ambient air outside the unit.
[0204] [0204] In a seventh or next step, the flow through the air sampling tube and / or the air sampling manifold passes through the diffuser and then through an air filter designed to remove dust and large particles that could affect the performance of the sensors. At an octave or next step in the sampling sequence, air passes through structures designed to uniformly mix air through the cross section of the air sample collector / air sample tube (for example, along / through the distributor flow 1428 from sampling set 1420 in Figure 14). In a preferred embodiment, the mixing structures include "guides" attached to the sides of the air sampling tube 1420 of Figure 14. Other air mixing structures can include metering and deflectors and / or plastic tubes about 0.25 cm (cm) in diameter and 15 cm long which are mixed together and packaged in the air sample tube in the flow path to create the mixture. These tubes serve to help maintain flow in the sample tube / sample collector (for example, sample collector 1424 from set 1420 in Figure 14).
[0205] [0205] As a ninth or next step in the sampling sequence, the air that flows through the air sample tube / air sample collector then flows over the sensors configured to measure or perceive data relating to humidity, temperature, pressure and speed. Not all of these measurements are necessary all the time. The important thing is that the air that flows through the sample tube / sample collector is well characterized and can be accurately monitored or inferred.
[0206] [0206] As a tenth or next step in the sampling sequence, when the animal inserts its head into the GreenFeed unit, a proximity sensor, for example, an infrared or ultrasonic sensor, detects the position of the animal's head with respect to sample diffuser / sample inlet. The time and position are then recorded just as by the data logger. In addition, the GreenFeed unit can include one or more cameras that will record the presence of an animal and that can also be used to identify specific individuals if tags are not available or used.
[0207] [0207] As an eleventh step, RFID and proximity information is then used by the data recorders and / or data analysis station to make decisions about food distribution and record data from the analytical instruments. In practice, analytical sensors usually require significant warm-up times. Therefore, those sensors are operated continuously. Depending on the availability of energy, the fan (or air pump) that draws or preferably draws air through the sample tube / sample collector can be left in operation continuously or it can be turned on when the animal is detected as being present.
[0208] [0208] As a twelfth step in the sampling process, the animal approached the GreenFeed unit, the animal was identified and its supplementary feed and feeding schedule was determined. The unit with its automated feed hopper operates to distribute a portion of the daily feed at a rate that keeps the animal's head in the unit, but also that it is slow enough so that the animal occupies the unit for a sufficient length of time. to monitor the various eructation cycles.
[0209] [0209] As a thirteenth or next step, the flag can be released during the measurement period in several different ways. If a specific beacon sensor is available, it can be turned on when the animal approaches the GreenFeed system and turned off when the animal leaves. As long as the GreenFeed unit is occupied by an animal, it can be switched from a quantitative rate, or at least a carefully controlled rate of release close to the animal's nostrils to an identical release into the air sampling tube. / sampling collector. The ratio of the two values determines the sample capture rate.
[0210] [0210] As an alternative or fourteenth step, if the analytical system responds to the signal gas, as in the case of most NDIR instruments designed to measure CH4, but which also responds to propane, for example, then the signal release can be modulated so that its signal can be differentiated from that of the CH4 emitted by the animal. Preferably, several eructations can be measured, the signal gas can be released, starting the baseline, during many other eructations, and finally the flare release can be changed to flow into the air sample tube / air sample collector . In another example, when the eructation interval for a specific animal is determined, a pulse of the signal gas can be released to create a peak that occurs between eructation events and alternated between external and internal releases.
[0211] [0211] As an alternative or as a fifteenth step in the sampling sequence, a differential absorber, such as "Carbo Sieve s3" distributed by Sulpelco, can be packaged in a short filter tube. When the tube is placed in line with the CH4 analyzer, the signaling gas (propane or butane) is cleaned differently so that the signal only includes CH4. When the filter is switched out of line, then the analyzer will detect both CH4 and the propane flag. The odorant of ethyl mercaptan added to propane and butane gas can also leak and be cleaned differently, for example, with iron oxide, if it is suspected that it has a negative impact on the animals being sampled.
[0212] [0212] As yet another alternative or a sixteenth stage, the flag can be released for selected animals during the selected atmospheric mixing conditions. In this way, the capture rate can be determined quantitatively under specific measurement conditions. These capture rates can then be used to develop a simple regression model or numerical relationship that connects specific GreenFeed measurements (for example, wind speed and wind direction) for measured mix. This relationship can then be used to predict the catch rate for each animal for each sampling period.
[0213] [0213] Alternatively or as a seventeenth step in the sampling sequence, changes in the moisture measured in the sample tube compared to ambient measurements are used to correct flows for the rate of capture changes that occur during a sampling period. For example, the relative humidity measurement can rise from 70% (ambient air) to 90% when the animal inserts its head into the GreenFeed unit. However, the proximity sensor indicates that the head remains in position, while the relative humidity in the sample tube / sample collector has dropped to 80% during the sample period, corresponding to an increase in wind speed. The data analysis system can determine that the mixture has increased for the rate determined by the rate of ambient air flow and the change in the total mass flow of metabolic gases from the animal into the feed station or sampling unit.
[0214] [0214] As a next or eighteenth step, measurements of CH4, CO2 and other metabolic gases are made and recorded such as one-second intervals. Preferably, the recorded data is accessible by remote computer systems and / or smart phone systems. Alternatively, the data is stored in a local data recorder for periodic collection, for example, by technicians who collect information from the recorder or who physically visit the unit to retrieve the recorded data.
[0215] [0215] The GreenFeed system can be operated in an automated way, in which conditional decisions are programmed through a remote computer, or smart phone. Alternatively, the GreenFeed system can be operated manually via a cell phone / Internet link. The animal consumes its feed for the specified period of time. He then leaves and the next animal enters and the cycle is repeated. The total time that each animal occupies the GreenFeed unit does not typically exceed about eight minutes.
[0216] [0216] One issue that may arise with the use of a GreenFeed system is how short-term CH4 flow measurements are related to daily flows and what is the uncertainty associated with taking periodic measurements. The answers to these questions usually depend on the animal's management system. The diurnal cycle of CH4 and CO2 is affected by the frequency of feeding in a confined animal operation or the specific grazing regime in a pasture situation. For confined systems, such as a modern dairy, animals are fed continuously, and diurnal variability is likely to be less than in pasture. In a pasture, grazing is impacted by the quantity and quality of forage and the proximity of water. In a given system, it is possible to use GreenFeed data to estimate the total daily emission rates for many animals in a discrete and cost-effective way. The generalization of data involving the use of appropriate extrapolation methodologies. This may include numerical models calibrated for field data and / or simple parameterizations on the frequency and timing of GreenFeed periods for each animal.
[0217] [0217] In pasture-grazing systems, animals may exhibit a diurnal behavior cycle and tend to visit the feeder at specific times. For example, it has been found that cows generally visit a GreenFeed pasture feeder in the morning and at night because it is typically positioned close to the water. It is important, however, to report morning and evening measurements for daytime fluctuations in CH4 emissions observed in grazing animals. By placing GreenFeed units at strategic locations in the pasture, animals can be encouraged to visit the feeder at varying times throughout the day. Regardless of the implementation of a system, GreenFeed systems are very useful for determining the relative emission rates between animals in any system and for detecting changes in an individual that occur over time. In a confinement or dairy, where feeding and visits can sometimes be more random, sampling randomness increases the ability to measure the animal's variable emissions over time.
[0218] [0218] The daily emission can be estimated from a sampling period of seven minutes by an animal such as a cow. This example assumes a constant CH4 emission rate throughout the day. However, numerical models could easily be applied to the point measurement to better estimate a daily value. The area under a curve at the peaks associated with each eructation can be used to determine the average mass of methane per eructation and the number of eructations per day as it is used to estimate methane emissions for that animal over the course of a day. For example, in a test, a sampling period of seven minutes was used when a cow was with her cow in a protective cover or sampling unit. The seven eructations occurred with an average length of about 50 seconds, and the average mass per eructation was determined to be 0.10 grams. If this is then extended over an entire day, it can be estimated that the cow would have 1700 to 1800 eructations in one day (for example, about 1769 eructations). This would result in the fact that the cow would have methane emissions of 176 grams per day assuming that the monitored rate of average emissions would continue throughout the day.
[0219] [0219] Some modalities of the food or sampling station (such as a stable unit for use in dairy operations or the like) may include an auxiliary sample collection system. The auxiliary sample collection system or set allows a user to collect a sample in a container or filter to take to an analytical laboratory for analysis of constituents that cannot be measured by continuous instruments (such as those installed in GreenFeed units) . An auxiliary sample collection set typically includes plumbing that allows the user to manually or automatically collect both a quantitative sample at the outlet of the sample tube and a qualitative sample at the front end for mixing and potential cleaning by the filter and walls (which may be important) for aldehydes and alcohols and other sticky constituents).
[0220] [0220] GreenFeed system data analysis software or local software provided as part of the controller for the auxiliary sample collection set includes programming so that samples can be collected conditionally. In this sense, the controller (with its own software or in response to a control signal from a remote controller / data analysis system / station) determines when a eructation is detected and, in response to said detection, turns on a sample pump from the auxiliary sample collection set. On the other hand, the controller and its software can be configured to perform sampling only when there are no eructations. Sampling can also be conditional on other data and signals as well. For example, the controller can start sampling when the proximity sensor detects the presence of the animal's snout in the ideal position or when the animal's breathing is detected within a protective cover or GreenFeed unit. In some cases, the set controller works to affect the sampling of each breath, but prevents eructations.
[0221] [0221] As discussed above, field or pasture-based units can have batteries that are recharged through the use of one or more solar panels while dairy / stable-based units can have rigid wires to connect. Numerous other components or aspects added can be provided with each GreenFeed unit to provide a more effective overall GreenFeed system. For example, a unit can be equipped with sets of sound and light devices operated by a local or remote controller to selectively provide audible and visible tones / sounds, respectively, by nearby animals. These audible and visible signals can be used in many different combinations and ways to condition animals to engage in specifically desired behavior.
[0222] [0222] For example, when an animal approaches and its ear tag is read, if it is eligible for a "reward", a light will come on and a sound will sound. When the animal inserts its head completely into the GreenFeed and is detected by the proximity sensor, the food can be dispensed after a short delay. Eventually, the delay between the light and / or other signals can be increased before the reward is waived. In this way, the animal can be trained effectively to place its snout in the ideal position for long enough so that we can collect data for various eructations and still minimize the amount of "reward" dispensed. This has several advantages. The changes minimize the animal's diet, they train the animal to keep its head in the correct position (greatly improving the quality of the data), and they minimize the requirements for serving the unit. In other words, the units do not need to be serviced as often as adding food or cleaning air filters.
[0223] [0223] Alternatively, the GreenFeed unit can be configured to provide a different tone or light signal or both when the necessary data has been successfully collected to cause or encourage the animal to leave. In this case, the signal can also be associated with a small static charge (such as that of a livestock production) to encourage the animal to move forward. The load could possibly be managed through the feeding period, but this may not be desirable, as the animal can then avoid the unit as a whole. In some cases, the electric charge is administered through a wire that falls from the top of the animal's back. A system to encourage an animal to leave a place is used in robotic milking machines and works well. Eventually, a change in light and / or tone will be sufficient to encourage the animal to leave to avoid shock or other negative feedback (for example, a release of an odorant to encourage the animal to leave). For example, some GreenFeed units can use propane as a flag to determine the "capture ratio" in GreenFeed, and the inventors have noted that some animals do not like the odor of tri-methyl sulfide that is commonly added to propane as an odorant. In some units, a purifier is used to remove the odorant before releasing the propane when an animal is present so that it could be easy to equip the propane cylinder with a three-way valve to release the propane with the odorant as a signal of it is time for the individual to leave the GreenFeed unit. Other odorants could be used as well.
[0224] [0224] As will be appreciated, there are many potential combinations of stimuli and behaviors that can be used with a GreenFeed unit to encourage or discourage particular actions by animals. Also, a GreenFeed system can include one or more independent training units that have these signaling capabilities and detect the presence of the animal and distribute a "reward". The training unit, however, would not contain gas sensors or any other sensor. It can be configured to only have a simple motion detector and be controlled so that when an animal approaches, it releases food. The training unit can also contain an RFID reader so that specific animals can be identified and seduced on a schedule.
[0225] [0225] In an implementation of the techniques described here, a unit was built for a stable research dairy. In order to fit below the tie bar of a typical dairy, the unit was mounted on a very low three-wheeled cart. The unit was powered by alternating current, but it had an energy conditioning system and backup battery so that it could operate for a period of time without AC power. In addition, the unit includes a set of sampling valves and a pumping system to collect gas samples for exploratory analytical measurements. The sampling system was very flexible in that it was adapted to be programmed to collect air samples at specific time intervals and could be set to make samples of individual eructations.
[0226] [0226] A number of improvements or aspects of the design can be included in a typical stand-alone feeder or GreenFeed unit such as the 910 feeder in Figure 9 or the 1310 feeder / feeder / protective cover in Figure 13 or a typical dairy unit. stable. These aspects of the design can be incorporated to make the units easier to use and move. For example, the top of the food bin can be kept relatively low in height so that it is easier to fill it (for example, a 4- to 6-foot filling opening or similar), and the food bin may include a 50 pound (or other size) food extension to increase general storage / distribution capacity (for example, up to 100 pounds or more).
[0227] [0227] The food drop tube in the protective cover / manger may be located out of the way of the cow's nose. Each protective cover / feeder on a GreenFeed unit can include a food tray or plate and an air intake manifold is positioned adjacent to or near the food tray / plate. In some embodiments, the intake manifold is made of stainless steel, and it surrounds the animal's muzzle (for example, with a wall (which can have three sections or be arched) that extends at least around the sides and front of the snout of the animal) to further increase the uniformity of the capture rate of the GreenFeed breath. The unit can be used with or without wing extensions on the feeder which helps to restrict mixing. Normally, it can be useful to train animals (such as cows) without the extensions, so add them after a few days if necessary to reduce the mixture in the protective cover / manger. So far, under current field operating conditions, the wings have not needed to obtain useful sampling results. A sensor and / or head position cameras (such as a web camera) may be placed inside or in recessed locations within the feeder / unit so that animals cannot lick or damage devices.
[0228] [0228] Figure 17 illustrates a feeding station or GreenFeed 1700 unit showing an arrangement of the inside of a manger / protective cover that is useful for sampling the animal's breath. As shown, the feeding station 1700 includes a protective cover / manger 1710 which can have a hollow body which is generally wedge-shaped. The protection cover 1710 includes an opening on one side to receive the head of an animal and the interior space of the protection cover 1710 is defined by the internal surfaces 1714 of the wall of the protection cover 1710. On a surface or wall 1716 of the protection cover protection 1710, a 1720 food tray is positioned and configured with a recessed surface to receive food / supplements that can be distributed from the 1740 food bin outlet (which is typically positioned in a forward location on the 1710 protective cover so that an animal's nose does not block the outlet or so that food is not distributed to the animal).
[0229] [0229] The 1700 unit also includes a 1730 sampling intake diffuser that is configured to wrap the sides and front of an animal's head / muzzle when feeding on the 1720 tray. In this sense, the 1730 diffuser includes three surfaces / walls inlet 1732, 1734, 1736 which includes a series of inlets through which air / gas for sampling can be drawn out of the protective cover 1710. Inlet surfaces 1732, 1734, 1736 extend from tray 1720 and some amount can be angled inward to improve the animal's breath capture / eructation (such as at 15 to 45 degree angles or similar). The side surfaces 1732, 1736 can extend towards the opening 1712 at an angle (such as at 30 to 45 degrees) and a distance to provide a desired amount of "wrapping" around the animal's muzzle (such as an extension of 3 10 inches in the direction of opening 1712 or similar depending on the size of the animal).
[0230] [0230] The 1700 unit also includes an entry or recessed surface 1750 on which a sensor can be provided to sense the presence of an animal's head / nose. This sensor is shown to be positioned directly above the food tray 1720, but it can be positioned anywhere on the protective cover 1710 such as one side of the inner wall 1714. In addition, the 1700 unit includes a signal gas outlet 17 60 that it can include a tube that extends to a location close to the wall / surface of the 1734 front sampling diffuser or anywhere on the 1710 protective cover.
[0231] [0231] The design of the gas collection tube can also be varied to practice the invention. In some cases, the collection tube is configured to facilitate uniform horizontal mixing while avoiding stretching the sample along the tube. In addition, the collection tube or piping can be configured to create uniform velocity profiles of the sampled air / gas so that flow rates and flows have significantly less uncertainty. The collection tube or set can also be configured to control (for example, reduce) the CH4 and CO2 lag periods. The lag period is the amount of time between the release of a sample and when it is actually measured by the sensors. In some previous modalities, the lag period was about 17 seconds, but in later configurations, the lag period is only about 6 seconds.
[0232] [0232] In practice, a GreenFeed unit or station is configured to include sensors for methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, water vapor, temperature, air speed, head position, RFID sensors for ear and more. In order to train and control the animal's behavior, each unit typically includes signal lights and a tone-generating sound system. These can be used through various programming options to condition the animals to be aware that if they approach the unit at the specified time (day or night) a reward will be distributed.

权利要求:
Claims (14)
[0001]
Method for managing methane emissions from a ruminant (204, 1304), characterized by understanding: providing a mechanism (120) for distributing food to a ruminant in a food tray (1406, 1720), the mechanism (120) includes a gas collection tube (1350, 1424) with an inlet adjacent to the food tray (1406 , 1720) and configured to move an air flow into the inlet; measure carbon dioxide and methane in the air near the food tray (1406, 1720) in a first step of measuring gas concentration to determine an ambient gas level; detecting a ruminant (204, 1304) near the food tray (1406, 1720) in the food delivery mechanism (120); measure a total air flow through the gas collection tube (1250, 1424) in a step of measuring total air flow, the total air flow including the ruminant's breathing; measuring carbon dioxide and methane in the air near the food tray (1406, 1720) in response to ruminant detection (204, 1304) in a second step of measuring gas concentration; processing the measured carbon dioxide and methane concentration from the first and second gas concentration measurement steps with a data analysis station (490, 701, 713), to determine an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane; and determine the flows of carbon dioxide and methane to the ruminant (204, 1304) with the data analysis station (90, 701, 713) based on the total air flow and the determined increase in carbon dioxide and methane.
[0002]
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises operating the data analysis station (90, 701, 713) to determine, based on the determined flows of carbon dioxide and methane, a supplement (126) to be presented in the food distributed by the food distribution mechanism (120) to the ruminant (204, 1304) to control the methane emitted by the ruminant (204, 1304).
[0003]
Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the food delivery mechanism (120) includes a fan (1358, 1440) that moves air over the food tray (1406, 1720) into the gas collection tube (1350, 1424), and an airflow sensor (1450) that measures the airflow in the collection tube (1350, 1424) to determine the total airflow when the ruminant (204, 1304 ) is perceived to be in the food distribution mechanism.
[0004]
Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises operating a signaling system to discharge a quantity of a signaling device into the food distribution mechanism (120), perceiving a concentration of the signaling discharged into the gas collection tube (1350, 1424) and, with the data analysis station (490, 701, 713), quantify a capture rate for the breath emitted by the ruminant (204, 1304) during the second measurement step and apply the capture rate to the determined to generate flows adjusted by catch rates for the ruminant (204, 1204).
[0005]
Method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the gas collection tube (1350, 1424) includes a flow distributor providing a mixture of the air flow extracted in the gas collection tube (1350, 1424 ) through the gas collection tube (1350, 1424), whereby the air flow mixture is provided through a flow path with minimal mixing along the flow path in the gas collection tube (1350, 1424) .
[0006]
Method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized by the fact that an inlet diffuser (1420, 1730) for the inlet of the gas collection tube is positioned in the food distribution mechanism (120) to extend upwards from at least two sides of the food tray (1406, 1720), the inlet diffuser (1730) including a plurality of inlet holes to direct the ruminant's breath and air into the inlet of the gas collection tube and / or the method further comprising differentiating methane and carbon dioxide emissions by the ruminant (204, 1304) during eructations from methane and carbon dioxide emissions in the current air of the ruminant (204, 1304).
[0007]
Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the total air flow is at least about 8 times greater than the breath emitted by the ruminant (204, 1304).
[0008]
Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the detection of the ruminant (204, 1304) comprises operating an infrared or ultrasonic head sensor (1324) to determine a position of the ruminant's head in relation to food tray (1406, 1720) including a distance from a part of the ruminant's head to the head sensor (1324).
[0009]
Apparatus (1300) for monitoring methane emissions from a ruminant (204, 1304), characterized by the fact that it comprises: a means to seduce a ruminant (204, 1304) to voluntarily place his nose and mouth in a position that facilitates the measurement of exhaled breath; a gas intake manifold (1420, 1730) with an entrance close to the nose and mouth position in the ruminant's seduction medium, the gas intake manifold (1420, 1730) extracting an air flow into the entrance; a methane monitoring device that monitors the methane in the gas intake manifold (1420, 1730) including methane concentrations in the ruminant's exhaled breath (204, 1304) and in air in the absence of the ruminant (204, 1304); and a data analysis station (490, 701, 713) that processes the monitored methane concentrations to determine the methane emitted by the ruminant (204, 1304) from the rumen metabolism, where the given methane emitted by the ruminant is a measure of a flow of methane in the exhaled breath, the flow measured being determined based on the total air flow in the gas intake manifold (1420, 1730).
[0010]
Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a container (122) which distributes a supplement into the ruminant's seduction medium for consumption by the ruminant (204, 1304), in which the container (122) it is operable to distribute the supplement in response to the determined methane emitted during rumen metabolism and in which the supplement is adapted to reduce the methane emission in the ruminant's exhaled breath (204, 1304).
[0011]
Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the ruminant's means of seduction comprises a feeding shell with an opening to receive the ruminant's nose and mouth (204, 1304), the feeding shell including a wedge-shaped body and being pivotal in relation to the wind so that the opening faces in the opposite direction from a wind direction to limit mixing in the feeding shell.
[0012]
Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the ruminant's means of seduction includes an animal identifier to identify the ruminant (204, 1304) and a set of light and sound to selectively emit light and sound when the identified ruminant (204, 1304) is eligible for monitoring or feeding via the device.
[0013]
Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it additionally includes an airflow sensor that measures the total flow and a signal release mechanism for selectively discharging a quantity of a signaling gas, the station data analysis (490, 701, 713) additionally working to determine a rate of capture of exhaled breath via the inlet based on a monitoring of the signal gas and the total measured flow.
[0014]
Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized by the fact that the data analysis station (490, 701, 713) additionally initiates a report on health, dry matter intake, or breeding condition for the ruminant (204, 1304) based on a comparison of the methane determined with a methane limit value.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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AU2011239541A1|2012-11-08|

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AU2011239541B2|2014-08-28|

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EP2558855A4|2013-05-29|

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US20110192213A1|2011-08-11|

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CA2796450C|2016-10-25|

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CA2796450A1|2011-10-20|

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US8307785B2|2012-11-13|

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WO2011130538A3|2012-03-15|

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EP2558855A2|2013-02-20|

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EP2653031A1|2013-10-23|

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NZ602979A|2014-05-30|

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WO2011130538A2|2011-10-20|

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EP2558855B1|2014-10-08|

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BR112012026452A2|2017-12-19|

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法律状态:
2018-04-10| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|

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2019-07-09| B06T| Formal requirements before examination|

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2020-02-11| B15K| Others concerning applications: alteration of classification|Free format text: AS CLASSIFICACOES ANTERIORES ERAM: G01N 33/497 , A01K 5/01 , G06Q 50/00 Ipc: A01K 29/00 (2006.01), A01K 5/02 (2006.01) |

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2020-02-18| B07A| Technical examination (opinion): publication of technical examination (opinion)|

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2020-06-16| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|

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2020-08-25| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 14/04/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US34264410P| true| 2010-04-16|2010-04-16|

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US61/342,644|2010-04-16|

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