title: Field-scale operation of methane biofiltration systems to mitigate point source methane emissions.
abstract: Methane biofiltration (MBF) is a novel low-cost technique for reducing low volume point source emissions of methane (CH₄). MBF uses a granular medium, such as soil or compost, to support the growth of methanotrophic bacteria responsible for converting CH₄ to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). A field research program was undertaken to evaluate the potential to treat low volume point source engineered CH₄ emissions using an MBF at a natural gas monitoring station. A new comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model was developed incorporating advection-diffusive flow of gas, biological reactions and heat and moisture flow. The one-dimensional version of this model was used as a guiding tool for designing and operating the MBF. The long-term monitoring results of the field MBF are also presented. The field MBF operated with no control of precipitation, evaporation, and temperature, provided more than 80% of CH₄ oxidation throughout spring, summer, and fall seasons. The numerical model was able to predict the CH₄ oxidation behavior of the field MBF with high accuracy. The numerical model simulations are presented for estimating CH₄ oxidation efficiencies under various operating conditions, including different filter bed depths and CH₄ flux rates. The field observations as well as numerical model simulations indicated that the long-term performance of MBFs is strongly dependent on environmental factors, such as ambient temperature and precipitation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Vijayamala C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Hettiarachchi
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hettiaratchi
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012037:Refuse Disposal
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D008697:Methane