Bioreactor landfill process optimization in Northern climates

生物反应器填埋场是一种有效的废物转化为能源的技术，可以生产绿色能源，减少我们对化石燃料的依赖。城市固体废物中含有大量有机物，包括食物垃圾、纸张和庭院垃圾，占总废物流的60%。即使有有效的回收计划，大量的有机材料到达垃圾填埋场。这些有机物在废物中降解或分解，并产生通常为50%甲烷和50%二氧化碳的填埋气体。 甲烷部分是温室气体，也是能源。因此，收集填埋气或沼气以尽量减少温室气体排放，并可用作能源。沼气可以直接用作热源，也可以转化为其他形式的能源，包括电力。传统垃圾填埋场和生物反应器垃圾填埋场之间的区别在于，在生物反应器垃圾填埋场内，通过为废物降解创造理想的条件来增强废物降解或稳定化过程。提高废物降解的速度，减少废物的体积，并产生额外的填埋空间，从而减少填埋占地面积或对额外填埋空间的需求。提高废物降解的速率也提高了可用作能源的沼气的生产速率。为了促进废物的分解，需要有足够的水分和理想的温度（约100 ℃）。35-40°C），以支持微生物分解废物。在北方气候条件下达到理想的温度是一项挑战，可以推迟废物的分解。这项研究的目的是提高我们对废物稳定化过程的理解，并优化生物反应器填埋场在北方气候条件下的性能。这项研究建立在一个重要的研究计划，仪器的活性生物反应器填埋场在圣。索菲，来自魁北克。该项目将资助三名硕士生和一名博士生，最终目标是为在北方气候条件下运行的生物反应器填埋场开发一个全面的废物稳定模型。

Bioreactor landfills are an effective waste-to-energy technology that produce green energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Municipal solid waste has a significant fraction of organics including food waste, paper, and yard waste, which can represent 60% of the total waste stream. Even with effective recycling programs in place, a significant amount of organic materials reach the landfill. These organics degrade or breakdown within the waste and generate a landfill gas that is typically 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide. The methane fraction is a greenhouse gas and also an energy resource. Hence, the landfill gas or biogas is collected to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and can be used as an energy source. The biogas can be used directly as a heat source or can be converted into other forms of energy including electricity. The difference between a conventional landfill and a bioreactor landfill is within the bioreactor landfill, the waste degradation or stabilization process is enhanced by creating ideal conditions for the waste to degrade. Increasing the rate at which the waste degrades, decreases the volume of the waste and generates additional landfill space, thereby reducing the landfill footprint or the need for additional landfill space. Increasing the rate at which the waste degrades, also increases the rate of production of biogas that can be used as an energy source. To enhance the breakdown of the waste, there needs to be sufficient moisture and an ideal temperature (approx. 35-40°C) to support the microorganisms breaking down the waste. Achieving the ideal temperature in northern climates is a challenge and can delay the breakdown of the waste. The goal of this research proposal is to improve our understanding of the waste stabilization processes and optimize bioreactor landfill performance in northern climates. This research builds on a significant research initiative to instrument an active bioreactor landfill operating in Ste. Sophie, Quebec. The project will fund three Master's students and one PhD student with the ultimate goal of developing a comprehensive waste stabilization model for bioreactor landfills operating in northern climates.