title: Study of thin biocovers (TBC) for oxidizing uncaptured methane emissions in bioreactor landfills.
abstract: Bioreactor landfills are designed to accelerate municipal solid waste biodegradation and stabilization; however, the uncaptured methane gas escapes to the atmosphere during their filling. This research investigates the implementation of a novel methane emission control technique that involves thin biocovers (TBC) placed as intermediate waste covers to oxidize methane without affecting the operation of bioreactor landfills. Batch incubation experiments were conducted for selecting the optimum TBC materials, capable of oxidizing methane to carbon dioxide by methanotrophic bacteria. Column experiments were performed to investigate the TBC performance under varying moisture content, compost-to-sawdust ratio, methane flow rate, and biocover thickness. Overall, the optimum TBC is comprised of a 30-cm thick bed of 0-10mass% sawdust mixed with compost, having a moisture content of 52% ww, which showed 100% CH4 oxidation efficiency over an extended period of time even at a relatively high methane inlet load of 9.4gm(-3)h(-1).
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perdikea
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
authors.forename: J Patrick A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hettiaratchi
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018515:Plant Leaves; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008697:Methane