Evapotranspiration landfill biocover (ET-LBC) to control atmospheric release of landfill methane

由于甲烷是一种主要的温室气体，因此人们对量化和部署具有成本效益的方法来控制垃圾填埋场甲烷排放有相当大的兴趣。其中一种方法是安装蒸散垃圾填埋场生物覆盖物（ET-LBC）;专门设计用于最大限度地提高甲烷氧化细菌或甲烷氧化菌的甲烷氧化作用，并最大限度地减少水渗透到垃圾填埋场。ET-LBC是一种新型的混合垃圾填埋场覆盖设计，利用颗粒介质促进甲烷氧化菌的生长，并储存水分以促进植物的蒸散。虽然ET-LBC是一种控制甲烷排放的有吸引力的方法，但许多问题阻碍了它在加拿大的采用。另一个问题是我们无法准确评估与ET-LBC项目相关的排放信用。令人满意地解决这些多重问题是本项目的重点。该项目将建立在我们在使用甲烷氧化菌控制区域和点源甲烷排放方面的专业知识基础上。因此，我们的研究计划的目标包括：确定最适合的颗粒介质和LBC厚度，以实现最大的甲烷氧化;确定并展示一种兼容的ET配置，以实现LBC的成功，并最大限度地减少水渗透到废物中;评估并确定稳健且具有成本效益的方法，以确定垃圾填埋场的排放量和ET-LBC系统全年的甲烷氧化能力。 这些目标是通过进行基于实验室的微观批量和流通柱实验，在阿尔伯塔Leduc垃圾填埋场的全尺寸ET-LBC装置的现场实验和测试单元来收集现场特定数据，并演示数学模型的应用以评估ET-LBC在各种条件下的性能。通过解决与现场部署ET-LBC系统相关的技术问题，该项目将为加拿大工业和各级政府提供宝贵的技术，以最大限度地减少所有垃圾填埋场的甲烷排放，无论大小，有或没有气体提取系统。 ************

Since methane is a key greenhouse gas, there is considerable interest in quantify and deploy cost-effective methods to control landfill methane emissions. One such method is the installation of an evapotranspiration landfill biocover (ET-LBC); specifically designed to maximize methane oxidation by methanotrophic bacteria, or methanotrophs, and minimize water percolation into the landfill. The ET-LBC is a novel, hybrid landfill cover design that utilizes a granular medium to promote the growth of methanotrophs as well as store water to facilitate evapotranspiration by plants. Although ET-LBC is an attractive method to control methane emissions, a number of issues prevent its adoption in Canada. Another issue is our inability to accurately assess emission credits associated with ET-LBC projects. Satisfactory resolution of these multiple issues is the focus of this project. The project will build upon our demonstrated expertise on the use of methanotrophs to control methane emissions from area and point sources. The objectives of our research program, therefore, include: determine most suitable granular medium and LBC thickness for maximum methane oxidation; identify and demonstrate a compatible ET configuration for LBC success and minimize water percolation into waste; assess and identify robust and cost effective method(s) to determine emissions from landfills and methane oxidation capacity of the ET-LBC system throughout the year. These objectives are achieved by conducting lab-based microcosm batch and flow-through column experiments, field experimentation at a full-scale ET-LBC installation at the Leduc landfill in Alberta and test cells to collect site-specific data, and demonstrating the application of mathematical models to evaluate ET-LBC performance in various conditions.**By resolving the technical issues associated with field deployment of ET-LBC systems, this project will provide the Canadian industry and various levels of government with a valuable technology to minimize methane emissions from all landfills, small or large, with or without gas extraction systems. ************