title: Compositional and physicochemical changes in waste materials and biogas production across 7 landfill sites in UK.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of the paper and fines across seven landfill sites (LFS) and assess the relationship between waste physicochemical properties and biogas production. Physicochemical analysis of the waste samples demonstrated that there were no clear trends in the spatial distribution of total solids (TS), moisture content (MC) and waste organic strength (VS) across all LFS. There was however noticeable difference between samples from the same landfill site. The effect of landfill age on waste physicochemical properties showed no clear relationship, thus, providing evidence that waste remains dormant and non-degraded for long periods of time. Landfill age was however directly correlated with the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of waste; with the highest BMP obtained from the most recent LFS. BMP was also correlated with depth as the average methane production decreased linearly with increasing depth. There was also a high degree of correlation between the Enzymatic Hydrolysis Test (EHT) and BMP test results, which motivates its potential use as an alternative to the BMP test method. Further to this, there were also positive correlations between MC and VS, VS and biogas volume and biogas volume and CH4content. Outcomes of this work can be used to inform waste degradation and methane enhancement strategies for improving recovery of methane from landfills.
authors: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK; Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa.
authors: R R
authors: RR
authors: Frank
authors: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cipullo
authors: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Garcia
authors: Viridor Waste Management Ltd, Viridor House, Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1AP, UK.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Davies
authors: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK.
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Wagland
authors: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Villa
authors: Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Trois
authors: School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK; Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa. Electronic address: f.coulon@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Coulon
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D062611:Solid Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D006113:United Kingdom; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D062611:Solid Waste; D008697:Methane
keywords: Biochemical methane potential; Enzymatic hydrolysis test; Waste composition; Waste physicochemistry; Waste-biogas relationships