Sustainable Biocover System for Methane Oxidation in Landfills

本研究项目的目标是开发一种新的低成本、实用和可持续的生物炭改良土壤系统，以有效地减少垃圾填埋场甲烷的排放。城市固体废物填埋场是美国第三大人为甲烷排放源。迫切需要开发具有成本效益的创新覆盖系统，以减少垃圾填埋场的甲烷排放。将开展一项综合研究计划，包括受控的实验室批实验和柱实验、数学模拟和现场演示，以调查：(1)生物炭和生物炭改良土壤的物理、地球化学和岩土性质；(2)生物炭和生物炭改良覆盖土对甲烷和氧气的迁移和强化吸附；(3)生物炭和生物炭改良土壤中甲烷的氧化速率；(4)在不同条件下(生物炭性质、土壤成分、甲烷浓度、水分含量和温度)甲烷吸附和氧化之间竞争或协同作用的控制因素；(5)开发生物炭和生物炭修正的垃圾填埋场覆盖层中甲烷氧化的机理模型；以及(6)验证研究结果的有效性和实际应用的可行性的全面现场演示的性能。此外，还将编写一份指导手册，指导设计垃圾填埋场应用的生物炭和经生物炭修正的土壤覆盖系统。该项目将确定刺激生物炭中土壤微生物的基本机制，包括多孔结构和高表面积对甲烷营养种群的气体吸附、保湿和定居的贡献。该项目将产生一种创造性的、低成本的、可持续的生物炭和生物炭修正的土壤覆盖系统，以减少垃圾填埋场的甲烷排放，保护环境和公众健康。两名研究生将有机会通过这个项目在新兴的可持续地球工程领域获得研究经验。为这个项目开发的研究技能和工具将加强本科生、研究生和“教师学者”计划中的K-12教师的课堂教学。将开发一个教学单元“使用生物炭的工程”，并将其纳入现有的垃圾填埋工程和可持续发展工程课程。项目成果将通过以下方式广泛传播：(1)为执业和监管专业人员组织研讨会，(2)发表参考期刊/会议论文，以及(3)参加伊利诺伊州和美国生物碳小组。

The objective of this research project is to develop a new low-cost, practical, and sustainable soil system amended with biochar to effectively mitigate landfill methane emissions. Municipal solid waste landfills are the third largest anthropogenic source of methane emissions in the US. There is an urgent need to develop cost-effective innovative cover systems that can mitigate methane emissions from landfills. An integrated research program, consisting of controlled laboratory batch and column experiments, mathematical modeling, and a field demonstration, will be undertaken to investigate: (1) the physical, geochemical and geotechnical properties of biochars and biochar-amended soils; (2) the transport and enhanced adsorption of biochars and biochar-amended cover soils for methane and oxygen; (3) the rates of methane oxidation in biochars and biochar-amended soils; (4) the factors controlling the simultaneous competing or synergistic interactions between adsorption and oxidation of methane under various conditions (biochar properties, soil composition, methane concentrations, moisture contents, and temperatures); (5) the development of a mechanistic model for methane oxidation within biochar and biochar-amended landfill covers; and (6) the performance in a full-scale field demonstration to verify the validity of the research findings and viability of practical application. In addition, a guidance manual will be prepared for the design of biochar and biochar-amended soil cover systems for landfill applications. This project will determine the fundamental mechanisms responsible for stimulation of soil microorganisms in biochar, including the contribution of porous structure and high surface area to gaseous adsorption, moisture retention, and colonization by methanotrophic populations. This project will result in a creative, low-cost, sustainable biochar and biochar-amended soil cover system to mitigate methane emissions at landfills and protect the environment and public health. Two graduate students will have the opportunity to gain research experience through this project in emerging field of sustainable geo-engineering. Research skills and instrumentation developed for this project will enhance classroom instruction at the undergraduate level, the graduate level, and for K-12 teachers in the "Teachers as Scholars" Program. A teaching module "Engineering with Biochar" will be developed and incorporated into the existing Landfill Engineering and Sustainable Engineering courses. The project results will be widely disseminated by: (1) organizing a workshop for practicing and regulatory professionals, (2) publishing refereed journal/conference papers, and (3) participating in the Illinois and US Biochar Groups.