title: Application of a novel sampling bailer device for the analysis of dissolved methane concentrations in municipal wastewater during and following anaerobic treatment.
abstract: Modern wastewater utilities need to be able to measure and quantify the amount of methane from their treatment facilities in order to understand the potential energy that can be produced and the amount of methane being lost. This paper describes the application of a novel sampling bailer designed for the collection of wastewater samples that minimises methane losses. Samples collected during and following anaerobic treatment from a wastewater treatment plant using a novel sampling bailer were analysed using a previously optimised analytical method. Analysis of wastewater and anaerobic pond samples using current industry approaches resulted in dissolved methane concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 14.33 mg L(-1). In comparison, the modified sampling protocol resulted in concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 18.73 mg L(-1). The relative standard deviations (RSD%) of low level spikes (5.0 mg L(-1) and 0.1 mg L(-1) methane; n = 5) were found to be 2.3 and 10.3, respectively. Statistical analysis of the dissolved methane concentrations using the two different approaches demonstrated a significant difference in the recovered dissolved methane concentrations, indicating there is a greater methane recovery potential in wastewater treatment plants than previously realised, when collected using the novel sampling bailer and analysed following the optimised analytical protocol.
authors.affiliation: Land and Water, CSIRO, Ecosciences Precinct, P.O. Box 2583, Dutton Park, Queensland 4102, Australia E-mail: david.beale@csiro.au.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Beale
authors.affiliation: Land and Water, CSIRO, Waite Campus, Private Bag No. 2, Glen Osmond 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Muster
authors.affiliation: Land and Water, CSIRO, Clayton, Private Bag 10, Clayton South, Victoria 3169, Australia.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Water, Docklands, P.O. Box 4342, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trickey
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008697:Methane; D062065:Wastewater