The Hidden Dangers of Pit Foam
Hog manure pits are essential for managing waste, but they can become hazardous when foam builds up. Methane (CH4), a flammable gas, poses a fire risk, especially when the barn is empty and maintenance or repair work is taking place. Foam, often seen bubbling on the surface, can trap gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide, increasing the danger. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), also a flammable gas, is the gas responsible for many tragic deaths in hog barns. Links to evidence of this can be seen at the bottom of this post. These issues arise when animal activity in the pit slows, and anaerobic bacteria take over, producing methane and lowering the fluid’s surface tension, which leads to foam.
Why Do Methane and Foam Form?
Methane and foam are byproducts of anaerobic activity in manure pits. When hogs are no longer contributing fresh waste, microbial processes shift. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in low-oxygen conditions, converting organic matter into methane and other noxious gases like H2S and ammonia (NH3). Foam forms due to low surface tension in the pit’s fluid, not high, as some might assume. This low tension allows gas bubbles to stabilize and accumulate, creating foam that can trap hazardous gases.
This is where NGA steps in. Unlike treatments that only mask symptoms, NGA targets the root cause by increasing fluid surface tension and shifting microbial activity away from methane production.
How NGA Works Its Magic
NGA is like “concentrated nature in a bottle,” designed to restore balance in manure pits. About eight hours after application, NGA’s microbial and enzyme actions kick in, inhibiting anaerobic conversion. Instead of producing methane, the microbes favor carbon dioxide (CO2) release, which is less flammable and doesn’t contribute to foam. By increasing surface tension, NGA reduces foam formation, even though CO2 production rises. This dual action—cutting methane and stabilizing foam—makes NGA a powerful tool for safer pit management.
Interestingly, NGA’s effects can vary. In some cases, foam may briefly increase upon initial treatment due to oxygen introduced by NGA, which helps microbes “breathe” and kickstart their work. This is typically followed by a rapid foam decrease as the system stabilizes.
Practical Tips for Using NGA
If you’re facing methane or foam issues, here’s how NGA can fit into your operation:
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For Routine Maintenance: Injecting or spraying a 5% to 10% dilution of NGA at multiple pit locations can accelerate methane and H2S reduction, creating a safer environment.
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For Urgent Situations: If you have just a few days’ notice before repair work, NGA can still help. Applying it early within that window can reduce methane and foam, lowering the risk of fire or gas exposure.
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Dosage Considerations: Should you use more NGA or switch to NGA3? It depends on the pit’s anaerobic activity, which is tough to measure without disrupting the system (think Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle!). Start with recommended doses and adjust based on observation, as over-application doesn’t guarantee faster results.
Avoiding Pitfalls During Cleaning
When disinfecting or power washing barns, certain cleaners can interfere with NGA. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is the worst offender, as it can kill NGA’s microbes outright. Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) at 3% concentration (pH 13–13.7) forces NGA microbes into a dormant spore state, but they can recover when the pH drops below 8.8. Other disinfectants—like alcohols, chlorine compounds, hydrogen peroxide, or quaternary ammonium compounds—may slow NGA’s activity, but recovery typically happens within two weeks unless these are heavily overused. To protect NGA’s effectiveness, avoid power washing with this chemicals.
Why NGA Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Promise
NGA is powerful, but it’s not a magic bullet with predictable daily reductions in methane, foam, or other gases. Too many variables—pit conditions, microbial activity, and cleaning practices—affect outcomes. What NGA does offer is a reliable way to shift the pit’s environment toward safety and stability, with foam reduction as a key indicator of progress.
Take Control of Your Manure Pits
Foam in hog manure pits are more than inconveniences—they’re safety hazards. NGA provides a science-backed solution to reduce these risks, making barns safer for workers and operations smoother. Ready to try NGA or learn more? Request a call for details on integrating NGA into your farm.
Have you dealt with foam issues? Share your experiences in the comments or reach out for expert advice on using NGA!
Hydrogen Sulfide Danger
- OSHA: Hydrogen sulfide hazards
- Hydrogen Sulfide the invisible killer in hog manure
- Hydrogen sulfide: a silent killer
- Risk assessment of toxic hydrogen sulfide concentrations on swine farms
