Swine Web – Biosecurity & Barn Technology Updat
A new electrostatic precipitator (ESP) prototype is showing promising results in removing airborne particles and pathogens inside swine facilities, according to research supported by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) through the Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program.
The project — funded jointly by SHIC, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), and the Pork Checkoff — evaluated a commercially available ESP unit designed to clean incoming barn air. The work was carried out by the University of Minnesota’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
How the Technology Works
SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton explains that the prototype uses ionized air to electrically charge particles, increasing their weight so they fall out of the airstream and onto collection plates rather than being inhaled by pigs.
“This device filters air that comes into a barn and helps grab and drop larger particle sizes onto the collection plate, with the intent of removing them from the air pigs would breathe,”
— Dr. Lisa Becton, Swine Health Information Center
High Efficiency on Larger Particles
Researchers found that the ESP performed similarly to traditional fibrous filters such as MERV 14 or MERV 16 systems, with notable improvements in removing particles larger than one micron.
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Effectiveness: Approximately 99% removal efficiency overall
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Temperature factors: Better performance on sub-micron particles under cooler conditions
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Comparability: Similar filtering power to high-grade barn filtration systems
Cost Considerations
While the technology is effective, cost remains a barrier to widespread adoption.
The full expense — including purchase, installation, maintenance, operation, and eventual replacement — adds an estimated $0.25 per weaned pig, above the cost of standard filtration.
Dr. Becton notes that additional evaluation is needed to improve affordability and determine where this technology fits in future barn-filtration strategies.
Read the Full Report
The complete study is available in the Swine Health Information Center’s November eNewsletter at swinehealth.org.
