The Development of a Biofilter to Reduce Atmospheric Methane Emissions from MSW Landfills

Biofilter performance to reduce C $H_4$ emissions from MSW landfills was tested under a variety of environmental and design conditions. The optimum soil moisture content for C $H_4$ oxidation in a loamy sand was 13% by weight. The addition of N $O_3$-N did not affect the C $H_4$ oxidation rate. Soil depths of 30cm and 60cm were equally efficient in C $H_4$ oxidation. When the C $H_4$ loading rate was decreased, the percentage of C $H_4$ oxidized increased. The maximum C $H_4$ oxidation rate was 27.2 mol $m^{-2}$ $d^{-1}$ under optimum conditions (loamy sand soil, 13% moisture content, 30cm soil depth, and an loading rate of 32.8 mol $m^{-2}$ $d^{-1}$). Based on the above results, the installation of a properly sized and managed biofilter above a landfill cover should be capable of achieving a major reduction in atmospheric methane emissions from MSW landfills built with RCRA covers.