Bioreactor landfill process optimization in Northern climates

生物反应器垃圾填埋场是一种有效的垃圾转化能源技术，可以产生绿色能源，减少我们对化石燃料的依赖。城市固体垃圾含有相当大一部分有机物，包括食物垃圾、纸张和庭院垃圾，占垃圾总量的60%。即使有了有效的回收计划，也有相当数量的有机材料到达垃圾填埋场。这些有机物在垃圾中降解或分解，并产生垃圾填埋气，通常是50%的甲烷和50%的二氧化碳。甲烷组分是一种温室气体，也是一种能源。因此，垃圾填埋气或沼气被收集起来，以最大限度地减少温室气体排放，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。传统填埋场和生物反应器填埋场的区别在于生物反应器填埋场，通过为垃圾的降解创造理想的条件来加强垃圾的降解或稳定化过程。增加废物降解的速度，减少废物的体积，并产生额外的垃圾填埋空间，从而减少垃圾填埋足迹或需要额外的垃圾填埋空间。增加废物降解的速度，也会增加可用作能源的沼气的产生速度。为了加强废物的分解，需要有足够的水分和理想的温度(约35-40°C)，以支持微生物分解废物。在北方气候中达到理想的温度是一项挑战，可以推迟废物的分解。本研究方案的目的是提高我们对垃圾稳定化过程的理解，优化北方气候条件下生物反应器填埋场的性能。这项研究建立在一项重大研究倡议的基础上，该倡议旨在测试在STE运行的活性生物反应器垃圾填埋场。苏菲，魁北克。该项目将资助三名硕士学生和一名博士生，最终目标是为在北方气候下运行的生物反应器垃圾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.