Effect of bio-column composed of aged refuse on methane abatement--a novel configuration of biological oxidation in refuse landfill

J Environ Sci (China). 2010;22(5):769-76. doi: 10.1016/s1001-0742(09)60175-3.

Abstract

An experimental bio-column composed of aged refuse was installed around the exhaust pipe as a new way to mitigate methane in refuse landfill. One of the objectives of this work was to assess the effect of aged refuse thickness in bio-column on reducing CH4 emissions. Over the study period, methane oxidation was observed at various thicknesses, 5 cm (small size), 10 cm (middle size) and 15 cm (large size), representing one to three times of pipeline diameters. The middle and large size both showed over 90% methane conversion, and the highest methane conversion rate of above 95% occurred in the middle-size column cell. Michaelis-Menten equation addressed the methanotrophs diffusion in different layers of the bio-columns. Maximum methanotrophic activity (Vmax) measured at the three thicknesses ranged from 6.4 x 10(-3) to 15.6 x 10(-3) units, and the half-saturation value (K(M)) ranged from 0.85% to 1.67%. Both the highest Vmax and K(M) were observed at the middle-size of the bio-column, as well as the largest methanotrophs population, suggesting a significant efficiency of methane mitigation happened in the optimum zone with greatest affinity and methanotrophic bacteria activities. Therefore, bio-column is a potential style for methane abatement in landfill, and the aged refuse both naturally formed and artificially placed in the column plays a critical role in CH4 emission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis
  • Ecosystem
  • Kinetics
  • Methane / analysis*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Refuse Disposal / instrumentation*
  • Time Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Methane