Lubing - CleaningCubes for strawless pig housing

* The DLG test framework provides the following options in its evaluation schemes: 
■■■ or better = meets, exceeds or clearly exceeds the specified DLG standard,
■■= meets the legal requirements for marketability,
■ = failed

**Evaluation range: Meets the requirement  (✔) /  Does not meet the requirement (X)

[1]    The minimum separation efficiency for dust is the lowest value recorded during the measurement period. The minimum separation efficiency for ammonia is the recorded separation rate minus the standard deviation.
[2]    Due to limited technical options, it was only possible to measure total dust and fine dust downstream of the biofilter. Therefore, approval for dust applies only to systems that include both scrubbing stages. 
[3]    Experience shows that the scrubbing process can lead to the formation of droplets with sizes ranging from 2.5 to 10 µm, which can result in increased levels of the particulate fraction PM10 in the cascade impactor. The particulate fraction PM2.5 is less susceptible to this effect. As a result, a higher separation efficiency is calculated for this particulate fraction than for the PM10 fraction.
[4]    Measurements were taken on Test Farm 1 for eight weeks in both winter and summer. Because of the need to remeasure odour concentrations, ammonia was also measured on Test Farm 2 for four weeks in summer. Consequently, the winter ammonia and nitrogen removal rates relate to Test Farm 1 and the summer rates to Test Farm 2.
[5]    All annual consumption data refer to an operating time of 365 days a year to enable comparison with other systems. In practice, consumption may be lower due to servicing and downtimes.
[6]    In order to compare the consumption values more easily, only the values for the winter and summer measurements from Test Farm 1 (two modules) were included. Consumption data from Test Farm 2, which has one module, are presented in the chapter entitled ‚Test results in detail’.
[7]    The scrubbing liquid was always desludged at a conductivity of max. 220 mS/cm 
[8]    No representative measured values could be recorded during the winter measurement period since the power consumption readings also included consumption by the emissions measurement equipment. However, it can be reasonably assumed that the annual consumption is roughly the same as the summer measurement.

Description and technical data

The CleaningCubes air scrubber is a two-stage system consisting of a chemical stage and a downstream biological stage for cleaning the exhaust air from strawless pig houses. Unlike other systems, on entering the cube, the exhaust air stream is split into two equal-sized sub streams which are cleaned in two identical scrubber units. The system is suitable for overhead exhaust air extraction and works on the pressure principle, i.e. the exhaust air is forced through the system.

The exhaust air is piped from the exhaust air duct vertically down into the cleaning cube via a duct system. One cube is connected to each of the housing’s exhaust air fans. On entering the cube, the exhaust air is split into two sub streams which are diverted to one of the CleaningCube’s two scrubbing units. Each sub stream then passes through the first filter wall (plastic honeycomb filter) which is continuously sprayed with acidified water to keep the filter moist. Sulphuric acid is added to the continuously circulating wash water to maintain a pH of 3.0. Before entering the first filter wall, the exhaust air passes through a sprinkler system fitted with 28 hollow-cone spray tips, where it is wetted with acidified water. The first scrubber wall mainly removes dust and ammonia. Ammonia accumulates in solution in the wash water until it is removed from the system by desludging. Downstream of the chemical cleaning stage, the exhaust air is forced though a droplet separator which removes the water droplets. Then it passes through to the second cleaning stage. This consists of a 0.65 m thick filter wall packed with root wood which is kept permanently moist by circulating water. After the biological stage, the cleaned exhaust air exits the scrubber and disperses into the atmosphere. 

Several modules can be installed next to one another to extend the CleaningCubes air scrubber. All the Cubes are operated synchronously with the same volume of exhaust air. A dividing wall separates the chemical cleaning stages from adjacent modules to prevent mixing the exhaust air streams. There is no dividing wall separating the droplet separators and the bio-stage of adjacent modules, so sub streams from adjoining modules can spread to the bio-stages of other modules.
However, the process circuits of the chemical and biological stages are always structurally separated to prevent the mixing of water. 

The wash water must be desludged at regular intervals to prevent an accumulation of salts. Desludging takes place automatically and relative to the current salt content of the wash water, which is determined by its electrical conductivity. The sludge water is replaced with fresh water at regular intervals. The chemical and biological cleaning stages have separate desludging systems. Desludging takes place when the conductivity of the wash water from the chemical stage reaches maximum 220 mS/cm. 

To prevent a rise of the pH level of the water in the chemical cleaning stage during operation, acid is added by an acid metering pump to reduce the pH level when the maximum threshold is exceeded. As a constant supply of acid is required for correct operation a sufficient quantity of acid must be held in stock. It is not necessary to control the pH level of the biological cleaning stage.

Since scrubbing increases the evaporation of water, the fresh water and sludge water volumes are recorded in the electronic logbook. The water level is monitored by a float switch which transmits an alarm signal to the SPS. An additional float switch protects the recirculation pumps from running dry.
The downstream biological cleaning stage consists of shredded root wood with a layer thickness of 0.65 m, which is initially packed to a height of 2.95 m. Every hour a sprinkler system sprays water onto this root wood for 1 minute. The water is then recirculated. 

The chemical stage of the air scrubber is designed for a maximum filter surface load of 3,210 m³/(m² · h). 

To achieve the separation efficiencies described in Table 1, the air scrubber must be operated continuously. 

The measurements were performed on a reference system on a farm in Barnstorf. The tests included one summer and one winter measurement period. 
As the tested system was a prototype, it was not possible to survey owners of the same type of exhaust air purification system during the testing period. 

Due to the specific nature of the pig housing, the summer measurement had to be continued on another farm (Test Farm 2) On this second farm ammonia was measured continuously for four weeks under summer conditions, whereas dust, odour and aerosol emissions were measured at selected intervals. 

There were 1440 finishing pigs (of which only 740 were housed in buildings that were equipped with the air scrubber) on the first farm and 360 on the second. In both cases the pigs were housed in strawless all-in/all-out systems with overhead ventilation. The exhaust air was extracted from the central overhead duct by fans and fed to the air scrubber via a duct system. Each cleaning module is supplied by one dedicated duct and fan. The maximum extraction rate per module is

25,000 m³/h. This means that it is possible to treat either some or all the air in the pig house, provided that sufficient modules are installed. 

The air scrubber is approved for operating under pressure

The measurements were carried out from February to April 2020 (winter measurement) and from August to October 2020 (summer measurement). The repeat measurement was carried out under summer con­ditions from June to July 2021.

The following parameters were used to assess the air scrubber:

Dust

Sampling was carried out in accordance with VDI Standard 2066, Part 1 and to DIN EN 13284-1. For this purpose, an isokinetic sampling system (Paul Gothe design) with a plane filter device (diameter 50 mm) was installed. A round glass-fibre filter with a diameter of 45 mm was chosen as the separation medium.
The amount of fine dust (PM10 and PM2.5) was determined in accordance with VDI Standard 2066, Part 10 and to DIN EN ISO 23210. A Johnas II cascade impactor (Paul Gothe design) with three plane filters (diameter 50 mm) was used. The chosen separation medium in this case was another round glass-fibre filter, but this time with a filter diameter of 50 mm. The analysis was performed by gravimetric measurement of the dust load. 

The DLG test framework stipulates that the sepa­ration efficiency must not fall below 70 %. This applies to total dust and the PM10 fine dust fraction. The results for the PM2.5 measurement are provided for information purposes. The recognised minimum separation efficiency is the lowest level recorded from all measurements taken on the days of recording.

Ammonia

Ammonia concentrations in the untreated and treated air sections were measured continuously throughout the entire test period using FTIR spectroscopy based on KTBL document 401 and DIN EN 15483. The measurements were performed in a measurement cell. To prevent condensation in the sampling PTFE air lines these were heated along their entire length on the clean air-side. 

The results presented relate to measured values. 

If less than 1.0 ppm of ammonia is measured in the exhaust air of the scrubber, the value is rounded up to 1.0 ppm to reflect the measurement uncertainty of the instrumentation used. It is not possible to obtain a reliable, quantifiable measurement below this value.

To verify compliance with the German Animal Welfare Act (TierSchNutztV) (max. 20 ppm ammonia in the animal area), ammonia (NH3) levels at animal height in a selected part of the housing were continuously monitored on both farms throughout the entire test period.

According to the criteria in the DLG test framework, the ammonia separation level must be permanently higher than 70 %. The acceptable level is obtained 
by averaging all measurements and deducting the standard deviation figure from this average value.

Measurements of ammonia separation levels always refer to the first cleaning stage. Thus the sampling point is always located downstream of the droplet separator.

Aerosol emissions

Sprinkling the filter wall of the scrubber causes aerosols containing nitrogen to be stripped out of the filter material in the form of ammonium aerosols and entrained in the exhaust airflow. In this way, nitrogen (N) that is initially separated is unintentio­nally returned into the ambient air. 

The level of nitrogen entrained in the aerosols was measured during the winter and summer periods using a plane filter that was installed in the clean airflow downstream of the droplet separator. To this end, two sampling points were installed, one of which was fitted with an upstream particulate filter that removed the aerosols. Sampling was carried out in accordance with VDI 3496-1 (gaseous emission measurement). The DLG test framework stipulates that aerosol emissions must not exceed 0.50 mg of nitrogen per standard cubic metre. 

Nitrogen balance and nitrogen removal

The rate of ammonia separation in the air scrubber was verified by means of an N balance, taking into account the ammonia loads (in the untreated and clean air) and the inorganic nitrogen compounds dissolved in the wash water. The balancing measurements were taken during 15 days in winter and 28 days in summer.
When performing balancing measurements on chemical scrubbers, only the ammonium (NH4-N) concentration in the process water is tested since biological oxidation does not generally take place.

The method to determine the amount of actually removed N is to ascertain the ratio of inorganic N mass removed from the system and of N load entering the system on the raw gas side. 

Balancing the nitrogen flows within the system is important because 

• all relevant nitrogen compounds and their where­abouts are accounted for 
• the nitrogen content of the sludge water is known and its fertiliser value is quantified. 

According to the DLG test framework, N removal within the nitrogen balance must be at least 70 % during both the summer and winter measurement period.
The test framework stipulates a nitrogen recovery rate (N balance) of at least 80 %, but no more than 120 %.

Odour

Odour concentrations were determined by dynamic olfactometry (dilution to the threshold) based on DIN EN 13725 using the yes/no detection method. The untreated and clean air sides were sampled using a vacuum sampler (CSD-30). A T08 olfacto­meter manufactured by Ecoma GmbH was used to analyse the odour samples. The test subjects were screened on each test date using the standard odorant (n-Butanol). Eight odour samples were taken during each measurement period to verify odour removal. The DLG test framework stipulates that odour concentrations in the clean air must not exceed 300 OU/m³ in each measurement. In addition, the typical smell of untreated air (pigs) must not be detectable in the sample.

Consumption values, ambient conditions and system load

Consumption of fresh water, sludge and electrical energy was determined by recording the relevant meter readings (separate meter for exhaust air scrubber and ventilation system). Acid and defoamer consumption rates were determined using a weighing system (force transducer/load cell or scales). 

The ambient conditions (temperature and relative indoor/outdoor humidity) were recorded during the measurements. On the days when dust and odour concentrations were measured, the following para­meters were also recorded: 

• animal weights (estimated) and animal numbers
• fresh water and electrical energy consumption (meter readings)
• absolute airflow volume (calibrated measuring fans and separate fan curve)
• pressure loss across the system and pressure loss across the fan
• pH value and conductivity of the process water

In addition, the measured values recorded by the manufacturer in the electronic logbook were verified for plausibility.

Operational reliability and durability

Operational reliability and durability were also asses­sed. Any malfunctions affecting the overall system or technical components during the test period were documented.

Operating instructions, handling and operation, workload and maintenance requirements

The test assesses the operating instructions from a user’s perspective to determine whether the description of how the system works, the illustrations provided and the descriptions of the routine maintenance work required are sufficiently clear and detailed. The test module covering handling and operation as well as the workload involved assesses whether it is necessary for the manufacturer to provide instruction during commissioning and the requirements on routine inspections and daily, weekly and monthly etc. services and on how to deal with malfunctions.

In terms of service and maintenance, the service intervals and the service checklists are assessed.

Documentation

The following parameters must be recorded and saved in the electronic logbook as half-hourly intervals as a minimum:

• pressure loss across the system [Pa]
• airflow rate [m³/h]
• pump runtime (circulation and desludging) [h]
• sprinkling rate [m³/h]
• total fresh water consumption by the system [m³], cumulative
• sludge accumulated [m³]
• untreated air and clean air temperatures [°C]
• pH value [–] and electrical conductivity of the process water in the chemical scrubbing stage [mS/cm] as half-hourly mean values
• electricity consumption [kWh], cumulative

In addition, the spray pattern inspections, Service and repair times, and pH and conductivity sensor calibrations must be recorded. The same applies to the use of chemical additives (acid, defoamer) and the quantities at which they are used. These data are required to verify that the air scrubber is operating as intended and were verified on the reference system.

Environmental safety

The test module on environmental safety included an assessment of all inputs required to operate the system (e.g. acids and alkalis), to recover operational waste (e.g. waste process water containing sludge), and of the dismantling and disposal of individual elements of the plant. The assessment also examined who would be in charge of the individual requirements.

Safety aspects

To assess the safety of the system, checks were carried out to verify compliance with the current fire and plant safety requirements

Dust

Based on the system’s construction and dimensioning, it was assumed that separation efficiencies of over 70 % can be achieved permanently, and this was indeed confirmed by the measurements. All measurements consistently showed a separation rate of over 70 % for both total and fine dust. During the winter period, two total dust and two fine dust measurements were conducted on one of the two available scrubber modules on Test Farm 1. Two total dust and two fine dust measurements were also conducted during the summer measurement period. In addition, one total dust and one fine dust measurement was conducted at Test Farm 2 during the subsequent repeat measurement under summer conditions. Since, for technical reasons, only the first dust measurement in winter and the two final measurements in summer were carried out downstream of the chemical stage whereas all other dust measurements were taken downstream of the biological stage, the approval for dust removal applies only to systems that include the optional biological stage.

A minimum separation rate of 91.3 % in winter and 85.0 % in summer was recorded for total dust. The separation rate for fine dust (PM₁₀) was no less than 78.6 % in winter and 71.4 % in summer. The results are shown in Table 3.

Experience shows that the scrubbing process can lead to the formation of droplets with sizes ranging from 2.5 to 10 µm, which can result in increased levels of the particulate fraction PM₁₀ in the cascade impactor during dust measurements. The particulate fraction PM_2.5 is less susceptible to this effect. As a result, a higher separation rate is calculated for this particulate fraction than for the PM₁₀ fraction.

[1]    The data were recorded at the time that the dust measurements were taken.
[2]    Only around half of the 1440 permitted animal places on the first test farm were in the sections that were ventilated by the air scrubber.
[3]    Refers to the airflow volume in the tested module.
[4]    No plausible values could be obtained at the time that the dust measurements were taken due to an accumulation of water in the measuring tube.

Ammonia

The chemical scrubbing stage (stage 1) can achieve a separation rate for ammonia that at least meets requirements only in that case that the wash water is automatically desludged whenever conductivity reaches the maximum value of 220 mS/cm and that water pH is set to 3.0.
Due to measurement problems in the winter, only 3795 paired values were available overall. These relate to two modules tested. During the subsequent summer measurements, 1411 paired half-hourly mean values were available for assessment. These paired values relate to two sides of the tested module.
Ammonia concentrations in the animal area were continuously monitored to verify compliance with the requirements of the German Animal Welfare Act (TierSchNutztV). The mean concentration recorded at animal height in winter was 8.2 ppm NH3. The threshold of 20 ppm was briefly exceeded for a few minutes on a small number of days. Temporarily, the maximum level was 22.4 ppm. During the subsequent summer measurements, the mean value at animal height was 7.3 ppm. The recordings ranged from 4 to 20 ppm. Thus the animal welfare requirements for ammonia were adhered to at all times.

During the winter measurement a minimum separation efficiency of 79.6 % (module 1) and 75.0 % (module 2) was achieved. The mean winter value is 77.3 %. The minimum separation efficiency in summer was 80.7 %:

Odour

The results of the odour samples taken in accordance with the DLG test framework are shown in Tables 4a (winter) and 4b (summer). During the winter measurement period, ten samples were collected in total, of which seven were deemed suitable for assessment. One sample was taken when the system was not operating as intended (25/02/2020), while significantly increased untreated air values were recorded on two days as a result of unscheduled slurry spreading by the farmer (16/03/2020, 30/03/2020).

Overall, the criteria of the DLG test framework were met (300 OU/m³ and no perceptible odour of untreated gas). The group of testers as a whole, or a majority of the testers, detected no odour of untreated air in the clean air in any of the samples. 

Consumption rates, ambient conditions and system load

The consumption values per measurement period (winter/summer) listed in the test report (Table 1) were scaled to annual consumption rates (365 days) in order to compare these results with data from other makers. Since these rates vary significantly in some cases (winter/summer differences, two-module operation), annual consumption figures were calculated from the summer and winter measurements on Test Farm 1 (two modules) only. The consumption figures from the summer measurements on Test Farm 2 (one module) are additionally included in this chapter. In total, 1440 fattening pigs were housed on Test Farm 1, although only around half of these (740 animals) were housed in areas that were ventilated by the system. For this reason, consumption rates per animal place and year (AP · a) refer to 740 animals (Test Farm 1) and 360 animals (Test Farm 2).

Water consumption

Water consumption is calculated from the desludging and evaporation rates. The higher the rate of desludging and evaporation, the more fresh water must be added to maintain a constant volume of process water in the system. The desludging rate is determined by the levels of nitrogen that are carried in by the exhaust airflow on the one hand and the maximum conductivity limit for the process water on the other. During the measurement period, this was 220 mS/cm. For technical reasons it was not possible to measure the sludge volumes using the instrumentation, so these rates were calculated based on the acid consumption figures. The values are plausible and present a coherent picture. On Test Farm 1 a desludging rate of 0.049 m³/(AP · a) was recorded in winter and 0.056 m³/(AP · a) in summer. Similar values were obtained on Test Farm 2.

Freshwater was added to both the chemical and biological stage of the CleaningCubes air scrubber as required. The mean total fresh water consumption calculated for two modules was 1.32 m³/d and 0.65 m³/(AP · a). The figure obtained under summer conditions for Test Farm 2 was 1.56 m³/d or 1.61 m³/(AP · a).

On completion of the DLG assessment on Test Farm 2, the manufacturer installed a splash guard at the fresh water inlet on the biological stage, which was not included in these tests. However, it can be assumed that this improvement could lead to a slight reduction in fresh water consumption.

Electrical energy consumption

The continuously operating circulation pump is the largest electrical consumer in a CleaningCubes air ­scrubber module. In the pig house, the fans are the largest consumers. On Test Farm 2, one fan was used for one scrubber module. The fan was controlled by a frequency converter to adjust the exhaust airflow as required.
The maximum pressure losses recorded across the scrubber system were 55 Pa for the chemical and biolo­gical stages combined and 46 PA for the biological stage alone. A maximum pressure loss of 94 Pa was recorded for the shed and scrubber system combined. This means that fans must be designed for a pressure loss of at least 100 Pa to operate the shed ventilation and the air scrubber.

Apart from the flow rate, the pressure loss of the exhaust air cleaning system largely depends on the growth and deposits on and inside the packing wall. Therefore, in individual cases, the pressure loss of the exhaust air cleaning system might even be higher than specified here. The manufacturer specifies a guide value of up to 30 Pa for the chemical stage.

On Test Farm 1, 54.2 kWh/d and 26.8 kWh/(AP · a) were measured on two modules. The fan consumption figures recorded during the subsequent summer measurement period on Test Farm 2 were 100.1 kWh/d and 102.9 kWh/(AP · a). 

While the electricity consumption for the scrubber on Test Farm 2 seems plausible, it is clearly too high for the fans. These high consumption figures can be attributed to the fact that an additional emergency fan that was in very frequent use during the summer measurement period was connected to the electricity meter. Furthermore, the fan installed on Test Farm 2 was significantly more powerful than the one on the first farm.

In summer, electricity consumption for the two-module scrubber on Test Farm 1 was calculated to be 38.3 kWh/d or 19.0 kWh/(AP · a). No representative measurement data could be obtained in winter because all the instrumentation for measuring emissions was connected to the electricity meter. However, it can be assumed that the average annual consumption is more or less at this level. Electricity consumption for the one-module system on Test Farm 2 was 29.0 kWh/(AP · a). The higher consumption could be due to a more powerful pump which had recently been installed on Test Farm 2. The power consumption depends to a large extent on the size of the system and can therefore vary greatly from farm to farm.

Other consumption values

Reliable operation with the stated efficiencies can be achieved in the chemical stage only if the pH control system maintains a pH of 3.0 and desludging is triggered at a maximum conductivity of 220 mS/cm. 

To ensure this, automatic acid dosing and conductivity metering equipment must be correctly installed and operated in all cleaning stages of the scrubber. Sulphuric acid with a purity of 96 % was used to reduce  the pH level.

An average annual acid consumption of 19.4 kg/d and 9.6 kg/(AP · a) was recorded for the two-module system on Test Farm 1. During the subsequent summer measurement period, acid consumption of 6.8 kg/d and 7.0 kg/(AP · a) was recorded on Test Farm 2, which correlates well with the theoretical values.

There is provision for the use of defoamers to ensure that the system operates as intended. However, during the measurement periods virtually no defoamer was used. On Test Farm 2, defoamer consumption was calculated to be 0.4 ml/(AP · a) in winter and 1.1 ml/(AP · a) in summer. No consumption was recorded during the summer measurement period on Test Farm 2. In practice, however, a defoamer may be required at any time.

Operational reliability and durability

During the test period, no notable malfunctions were found in the system, nor did any significant damage or signs of wear occur anywhere in the air scrubber.

As far as could be observed during the test period, the individual components of the system appeared to be sufficiently protected from corrosion. The complete system is manufactured almost entirely from plastic.

Operating instructions, operation, working time requirements and maintenance requirements

The operating instructions are sufficiently precise and explain the system‘s mode of operation in general terms. In conjunction with the documentation, they explain what work the operator must carry out on the system on a daily, weekly and annual basis. The manual contains photos of the system components to 
make it easier to understand how it operates. 

To operate the system, it is necessary to receive instructions from the installer and to familiarise oneself with the operating instructions.

However, after successful start-up and a sufficient running in phase, the system can be regarded as easy to operate since the air scrubber runs fully automatically in normal operation. All that is required is a daily check of the operational data and a weekly inspection of the entire system, including the nozzles. In the event of error messages from the control system, the operating instructions explain how to check the relevant system components. To simplify operation and reduce the workload, it is advisable to have a maintenance agreement with the manufacturer.

The nozzle spray pattern must be inspected weekly and if it is found to be uneven, the nozzles must be cleaned or replaced. This action must be recorded in the manual logbook.

Documentation

The electronic logbook permits the recording of all data required for the safe operation of the system as half-hourly mean values or half-hourly values in compliance with requirements. The data are recorded automatically and must be stored for 5 years. These data can be read by the farmer as well as by authorities via an online cloud platform and imported into a common spreadsheet program. The recorded data is described in detail in Table 7.

If the housing ventilation system and the air scrubber installed are sourced from different manufacturers, the manufacturer of the air scrubber records the ventilation data as a characteristic curve and incorporates these data into the scrubber‘s control system for control purposes. The maximum fan capacity is set at 100 % in the controller. However, it is not possible to adjust it to a broader capacity range. Since the test framework requires the airflow rate to be indicated in absolute terms in m³/h, a characteristic curve of the entire ventilation system (stall plus scrubber) must be plotted prior to commissioning and entered in the electronic logbook. 

The characteristic curve should consist of at least five different supporting points between an airflow rate of 0 and 100 %.

Manufacturer and applicant
LUBING Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG,
Lubingstraße 6,
49406 Barnstorf, Deutschland

Contact
Telefon +49 (0)5442 9879-0,
Fax +49 (0)5442 9879-33,
www.Lubing.de 
info@Lubing.de 

Testing agency
DLG TestService GmbH, Standort Groß-Umstadt 
The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.

Laboratory and emissions measurements
SGS Institut Fresenius GmbH, 
Im Paesch 1a, 54340 Longuich

BUB Braunschweiger Umwelt-Biotechnologie GmbH,
Hamburger Straße 273 a, 38114 Braunschweig

Machine and plant safety
Expert Klaus Ahlendorf GmbH, 
Von-Loe-Straße 40 a, 47906 Kempen

DLG test framework
DLG Full Test: Exhaust air cleaning systems for livestock houses (issue date 03/2016)

Department
Agriculture

Project Manager
Dr. Ulrich Rubenschuh

Test engineer(s)
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Tommy Pfeifer*

Test commission
Friedrich Arends, Chamber of Agriculture of  Lower Saxony 
Christian Dohrmann, farmer
Doris Düsing, LK Cloppenburg 
Bernhard Feller, Chamber of Agriculture North Rhine-Westphalia
Ewald Grimm, KTBL Darmstadt
Dr Jochen Hahne, TI Braunschweig
Andreas Schlichting, TÜV Nord Hamburg
Thomas Üffing, farmer

*    Author