Coking of Pt/γ-Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst in landfill gas deoxygen and its effects on catalytic performance

Catalytic oxidation of CH_(4) has been proved to be an attractive option for landfill gas(LFG) upgrading.However, coking of catalysts in catalytic LFG deoxygen has been clearly observed in industrial applications. In this regard, it is necessary to investigate whether coke deposition originates from CH_(4) or volatile organic compounds present in LFG, and the influence of coke deposition on catalytic performance. Herein,we evaluate the LFG deoxygen on Pt/γ-Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst in simulated LFG(CH_(4), CO_(2), O_(2), N_(2)) and its co-feed with representative volatile organic compounds, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzene and cyclohexane. The results show that the coking of the catalyst is originated from volatile organic compounds rather than CH_(4). The Pt/γ-Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst does not deactivate during LFG deoxygen process, even significant amount of coke deposited, up to 18.15%(mass). Characterization analyses reveal that although coke deposition overall covers the catalyst surface, resulting in mesopores blockage and a reduced number of accessible Pt sites, however, the coke formed, H-rich carbonaceous components, behaves as counterpart for O_(2) elimination. Besides, the coke deposited is mainly filamentous. Thus, coke formation has little negative effect on the overall catalytic performance of Pt/γ-Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst ultimately. The results obtained in this work are helpful for the rational design of robust Pt based catalysts for LFG deoxygen without undue attention to their coking properties, and also favor the innovation of more attractive purification scheme configurations.

Evolution on qualities of leachate and landfill gas in the semi-aerobic landfill

To study the characteristics of stabilization in semi-aerobic landfill, large-scale simulated landfill was constructed based on the semi- aerobic landfill theory. Consequently, the concentrations of chemical oxygen demand （COD）, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrite nitrogen, and the pH value in leachate, as well as the component contents of landfill gas composition （methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen） in landfill were regularly monitored for 52 weeks. The restflts showed that COD and ammonia concentrations declined rapidly and did not show the accumulating rule like anaerobic landfill, and remained at about 300 and 100 mg/L, respectively, after 48 weeks. Meanwhile, the descending rate reached 98.9% and 96.9%, respectively. Nitrate concentration increased rapidly after 24 weeks and fluctuated between 220-280 mg/L after 43 weeks. The pH values were below 7 during the first 8 weeks and after that leachates appeared to be alkaline. Carbon dioxide was the main composition in landfill gas and its concentration remained at a high level through the whole stabilization process. The average contents of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and methane varied between 19 vol.%-28 vol.%, 2 vol.%-8 vol.%, and 5 vol.%-13 vol.%, respectively. A relative equilibrium was reached after 48 weeks. The highest temperature in the landfill chamber could amount to 75.8 degrees centigrade.

Emission of landfill gas in Qingdao, China

A study on landfill gas emission in Qingdao,China was carried out. The results showed that the generation of landfill gas with maximum methane concentration occurred several months after the refuse was disposed and the steady emission of landfill gas could remain two years.The variation of landfill gas production was associated with temperature. In June, the emission of landfill gas rose gradually from morning to evening, but in September, it rose in the morning, and then fell in the afternoon. From June to August, the emission of landfill gas showed rising trend,but it declined quite quickly from September to December. In different seasons,the outflow rate of landfill gas varied from depth to depth in the refuse site. When earth temperature was higher in summer, the emission of landfill gas did not correspond with the depth of refuse sites, but when temperature fell in winter, and the temperature became a limited factor to the gas production,the outflow of landfill gas increased with increasing in depth of refuse piling.

SLIPPAGE SOLUTION OF GAS PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION IN PROCESS OF LANDFILL GAS SEEPAGE

A mathematical model of landfill gas migration was established under presumption of the effect of gas slippage. The slippage solutions to the nonlinear mathematical model were accomplished by the perturbation and integral transformation method. The distribution law of gas pressure in landfill site was presented under the conditions of considering and neglecting slippage effect. Sensitivity of the model input parameters was analyzed. The model solutions were compared to observation values. Results show that gas slippage effect has a large impact on gas pressure distribution. Landfill gas pressure and pressure gradient considering slippage effect is lower than that neglecting slippage effect, with reasonable agreement between model solution and measured data. It makes clear that the difference between considering and neglecting slippage effect is obvious and the effects of coupling cannot be ignored. The theoretical basis is provided for engineering design of security control and decision making of gas exploitation in landfill site. The solutions give scientific foundation to analyzing well test data in the process of low-permeability oil gas reservoir exploitation.

Comparative Analysis of Biogas Estimation Models versus <i>In-Situ</i>Measurement in a Landfill Site in the State of Mexico, Mexico

This paper shows a comparative analysis of theoretical model for biogas estimations in landfill sites in order to determine reliability, accuracy and efficiency by comparing results with actual data obtained in-situ. The model from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mexican model were selected to estimate biogas generation in a landfill site located in the State of Mexico, Mexico with 36 wells. Both models are based on a first order equation for degradation of organic matter assuming that the biogas generation reaches its maximum after a period of time and then biogas generation decreases exponentially while the organic fraction of waste is consumed. Measurement in-situ, using a landfill gas analyser (GA5000), resulted in values of percentage concentration of landfill gas (CH4, CO2 and O2) with an average Frequency of 35.44 Hz (1/s) and emissions of methane of 3355.99 m3/hr in contrast with 4885.74 m3/hr from EPA model and 6780.56 m3/hr from Mexican model. The experiment evidenced significant variations in estimations versus actual measurements. Authors discuss the aspects and parameters that cause such variations in order to provide a comprehensive analysis which will help decision makers to base waste management strategies in Mexico on reliable data.

Environmental factors affecting growth of grasses，herbs and woody plants on a sanitary landfill

The present study aims at studying relationships between various environmental factors andplant performance on a completed sanitary landfill. Three sites were chosen for comparison: an on-sitelow landfill gas region with a rich vegetation growth (Site L) , an on-site high landfill gas region with apoor vegetation growth (Site H), an off site control region (Site N) which located close to the GinDrinkers' Bay landfill. In Site H, where the levels of methane and carbon dioxide were higher, growth oftrees, shrubs and climbing plants are adversely affected, but not herbs and grasses. Analysis of correla-tion coefficient indicated that carbon dioxide and methane showed a negative correlation with the growth oftrees and shrubs. In Site H, the higher levels of conductivity, Kjeldah-N, Ammonium-N, and variousheavy metals, such as Mn were also exerted their adverse effect on plant growth. Trees tolerant to land-fill gas , e. g. Acacia confusa . would be a better choice for planting on sanitary landfills , in addition to theuse of shallow-rooted trees. Grasses and herbs are less susceptible to landfill gas due to their shallow-rootsystems. Hydroseeding of grasses would ensure a better plant coverage in areas with a moderate level oflandfill gas. Installation of a ventilation system might be needed for areas with a high level of landfill gas.

Consolidated Lightning Protection Methods of Landfill and Incineration Plants and Its Application Technology Investigation

Taking lightning-protection engineering of Wuhan Changshankou landfill and incineration plants for the example,in this article,we have discussed the integrated technology of direct lightning protection by early streamer emission lightning rod,lifting lightning rod and mobile lightning rod. Additionally,lightning protection methods and measures of landfill with large receiving area of lightning strike and landfill gas and incineration plant with irregular landfill cell are explored.

Use of Evapotranspiration (ET) Landfill Covers to Reduce Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

Solid waste landfills need to have final covers to 1) reduce the infiltration of rainfall into the waste mass and 2) reduce surface greenhouse gas emissions. Most regulations require that such final covers include hydraulic barriers, such as compacted clays with or without geomembrane. Significant research has been undertaken to allow the use of evapotranspiration-based covers (often termed: Evapotranspiration (ET) Cover, Water Balance Covers, or Phyto Covers) as an alternative to the barrier concept covers. ET covers are designed so that they have the capacity to store water by the soil and also have plants or vegetation to remove the stored water. In ET covers, plant roots can enhance the aeration of soil by creating secondary macropores which improve the diffusion of oxygen into soil. Therefore, biological methane oxidation (a natural process in landfill soils) can be improved considerably by the soil structuring processes of vegetation, along with the increase of organic biomass in the soil associated with plant roots. This paper summarizes a study to investigate the capacity of an ET cover to reduce surface greenhouse gas emissions when implemented on a solid waste landfill. This study consisted of using a numerical model to estimate methane emission and oxidation through an ET cover under average climatic conditions in Bennignton, Nebraska, USA. Different simulations were performed using different methane loading flux (5 to 200 gm-2·d-1) as the bottom boundary. For all simulations, surface emissions were the lowest during the growing season and during warmer days of the year. Percent oxidation is the highest during the growing season and during warmer days. The lowest modeled surface emissions were always obtained during the growing season. Finally, correlations between percent oxidation and methane loading into simulated ET covers were proposed to estimate methane emissions and methane oxidation in ET covers.

Estimation of Methane Emission from Kossihouen Sanitary Landfill and Its Electricity Generation Potential (Côte d’Ivoire)

In order to solve the problem of the management of municipal solid waste in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), a sanitary landfill has been designed in Kossihouen. Despite the adverse greenhouse effects of the methane, this gas has a potential of electrical energy. The estimation of methane emissions from the waste can be an economic and useful way for more accurate control and management of waste disposal in Kossihouen. Therefore, conducting this study is essential. Methane emissions were estimated based on the methane generation constant K and the methane generation potential L0 using LandGEM 3.02. The results show that the quantity of methane emissions was 7.97E+07 m3/year. Based on this result, the methane content can generate 10% of total electricity consumed in Abidjan in 2026. This paper could serve as a source of scientific information for decision making on environmental sustainability in waste-to-energy projects in Cote d’Ivoire.

Numerical model of compressible gas flow in soil pollution control

Based on the theory of fluid dynamics in porous media, a numerical model of gas flow in unsaturated zone is developed with the consideration of gas density change due to variation of air pressure. This model is characterized of its wider range of availability. The accuracy of this numerical model is analyzed through comparison with modeling results by previous model with presumption of little pressure variation and the validity of this numerical model is shown. Thus it provides basis for the designing and management of landfill gas control system or soil vapor extraction system in soil pollution control.

Bioenergy recovery from landfill gas:A case study in China

Landfill gas(LFG)utilization which means a synergy between environmental protection and bioenergy recovery was investigated in this study.Pressure swing adsorption technology was used in LFG purification,and laboratory experiment,pilot-scale test,and on-site demonstration were carried out in Shenzhen,China.In the laboratory experiment,A-type carbon molecular sieve was selected as the adsorbent by comparison of several other adsorbents.The optimal adsorption pressure and adsorption time were 0.25 MPa and 2 min,respectively,under which the product generation rate was 4.5 m^(3)/h and the methane concentration was above 90%.The process and optimization of the pilot-scale test were also reported in the paper.The product gas was of high quality compared with the National Standard of Compressed Natural Gas as Vehicle Fuel(GB18047-2000),when the air concentration in feed gas was under 10.96%.The demonstration project was composed of a collection system,production system,and utilization system.The drive performance,environmental protection performance,and economic feasibility of the product gas—as alternative fuel in passenger car,truck,and bulldozer—were tested,showing the feasibility technology for LFG utilization.

Spatio-temporal variation of landfill gas in pilot-scale semi-aerobic and anaerobic landfills over 5 years

Variation of CH4, CO2, and O2 concentrations in layers of different depths in semi-aerobic and anaerobic landfills was analyzed over a period of 5 years. The results showed that most of the municipal solid waste became basically stable after 5 years of landfill disposal. In the upper and middle layer, the concentration of CH4 in the semi-aerobic landfill was significantly lower than that in the anaerobic landfill in different landfill periods, while in the lower layer, there was little difference in the CH4 concentration between the semi-aerobic and anaerobic landfills. The average concentration of CH4 and CO2in the anaerobic landfill was always higher than that in the semi-aerobic landfill, while the O2 concentration showed an opposite variation in different landfill periods. This was related to the aerobic reaction of landfill waste around the perforated pipe in the semi-aerobic landfill,which inhibited effective landfill gas generation.

Modeling and simulation of landfill gas production from pretreated MSW landfill simulator

The cumulative landfill gas （LFG） production and its rate were simulated for pretreated municipal solid waste （MSW） landfill using four models namely first order exponential model, modified Gompertz model, single component combined growth and decay model and Gaussian function. Considering the behavior of the pretreated MSW landfill, a new multi component model was based on biochemical processes that occurring in landfilled pretreated MSW. The model was developed on the basis of single component combined growth and decay model using an anaerobic landfill simulator reactor which treats the pretreated MSW. It includes three components of the degradation i.e. quickly degradable, moderately degradable and slowly degradable. Moreover, the devel- oped model was statistically analyzed for its goodness of fit. The results show that the multi components LFG production model is more suitable in comparison to the simulated models and can efficiently be used as a modeling tool for pretreated MSW landfills. The proposed model is likely to give assistance in sizing of LFG collection system, generates speedy results at lower cost, improves cost-benefit analysis and decreases LFG project risk. It also indicates the stabilization of the landfill and helps the managers in the reuse of the landfill space. The proposed model is limited to aerobically pretreated MSW landfill and also requires the values of delay times in LFG productions from moderately and slowly degradable fractions ofpretreated MSW.

Modified landfill gas generation rate model of first-order kinetics and two-stage reaction

This investigation was carried out to establish a new domestic landfill gas(LFG)generation rate model that takes into account the impact of leachate recirculation.The first-order kinetics and two-stage reaction(FKTSR)model of the LFG generation rate includes mechanisms of the nutrient balance for biochemical reaction in two main stages.In this study,the FKTSR model was modified by the introduction of the outflow function and the organic acid conversion coefficient in order to represent the in-situ condition of nutrient loss through leachate.Laboratory experiments were carried out to simulate the impact of leachate recirculation and verify the modified FKTSR model.The model calibration was then calculated by using the experimental data.The results suggested that the new model was in line with the experimental data.The main parameters of the modified FKTSR model,including the LFG production potential(L0),the reaction rate constant in the first stage(K1),and the reaction rate constant in the second stage(K2)of 64.746 L,0.202 d^(–1),and 0.338 d^(–1),respectively,were comparable to the old ones of 42.069 L,0.231 d^(–1),and 0.231 d^(–1).The new model is better able to explain the mechanisms involved in LFG generation.

Ammonium-dependent regulation of aerobic methane-consuming bacteria in landfill cover soil by leachate irrigation

The impacts of landfill leachate irrigation on methane oxidation activities and methane-consuming bacteria populations were studied by incubation of landfill cover soils with leachate and （NH4）2SO4 solutiort at different ammonium concentrations. The community structures and abundances of methane-oxidizing bacteria （MOB） and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） were examined by PCR- DGGE and real-time PCR. Compared with the pure （NH4）2SO4 solution, leachate addition was found to have a positive effect on methane oxidation activity. In terms of the irrigation amount, ammonium in leachate was responsible for the actual inhibition of leachate. The extent of inhibitory effect mainly depended on its ammonium concentration. The suppression of the predominant methane- consuming bacteria, type I MOB, was responsible for the decreased methane oxidation activity by ammonium inhibition. Methane- consuming bacteria responded diversely in abundance to ammonium. The abundance of type I MOB decreased by fivefold; type II MOB showed stimulation response of fivefold magnification upon the first addition but lessened to be lower than the original level after the second addition; the amount of AOB was stimulated to increase for 20-30 times gradually. Accumulated nitrate from nitrification strengthened the ammonium inhibition on type I and type II MOB, as a result, repetitive irrigation was unfavorable for methane oxidation.

In-situ neutralize methane emission from landfills in loess regions using leachate

In loess regions, landfilling is the predominant solid waste disposal and loess is usually used as landfill cover soil. However, the methane(CH_4) bio-oxidation activity of virgin loess is usually below 0.01 μmol/(h g-soil). In this study, we proposed a method to improve CH_4 removal capacity of loess by amelioration with mature landfill leachate, which is in-situ, easily available, and appropriate. The organic matter content of the ameliorated loess increased by 180%, reaching 19.69–24.88 g/kg-soil, with more than 90% being non-leachable. The abundance of type I methane-oxidizing bacteria and methane monooxygenase gene pmoA increased by 5.0 and 79 times, respectively. Consequently, the maximum CH_4 removal rate of ameliorated loess reached 0.74–1.41 μmol/(h g-soil) at 25°C, which was 4-fold higher than that of water-irrigated loess. Besides, the CH_4 removal rate peaked at 10 vt% CH_4 concentration and remained at around 1.4 μmol/(h g-soil) at 15°C–35°C. The column test confirmed that the highest CH_4 removal efficiency was at 30–40 cm below the surface, reaching 26.1%±0.4%, and the 50-cm-thick loess layer irrigated with leachate achieved more than 85% CH_4 removal efficiency. These results could help to realize carbon neutrality in landfill sites of global loess regions.

The Emerging Issue of Solid Waste Disposal Sites Emissions in Developing Countries: The Case of Brazil

While the main concerns with municipal solid waste in developed countries like the European Union and the United States are to reduce and recycle the energy recover in order to drastically reduce the residues disposal to landfill, for developing countries the targets on waste management are much more basic. This seems to be the case in Brazil that with a new regulation, it still attempts to eradicate the inadequate waste disposal for open dumps. Thus, the aim of this paper is to depict the context, the criteria and discuss the strategies used for: the municipalities achieve the goals and adhere the plan;choice and configuration of disposal sites;and economic instruments adopted and bringing the whole scenario to discussion, including methane emissions inventory thru the case study of the Rio de Janeiro State. The Rio de Janeiro State municipal solid waste management scenario has drastically changed in last five years from 9% of residues sent to adequate destinations, to the perspective of eradication of open dumps before the end of 2014. The results indicate that only adequate disposal of waste is mandatory with the prevalence of the sanitation approach. The evidences also indicate that planning goals to reduce waste are modest and the landfill gas recover is generally accepted as the optimal solution. This paper concludes that, unless the stakeholders add to the plan a more aggressive policy to increment, the competitiveness of other waste technologies that favor the landfilling reduction and energy recover, Rio de Janeiro State will face the increase of landfill numbers and sizes, management cost, environmental and leachate impact, post-closure care expenses, contaminating life-span, and methane emissions.

Determination of the Types of Air Pollutants Prepondering in the City of Lome in Togo (West Africa)

The increase in the urban population and the high concentration of many anthropogenic activities in certain regions of the world lead to atmospheric disturbances. The excess concentration of several chemical elements leads to air pollution. In order to identify the types of air pollutants, a study was carried out in the city of Lomé, the capital of Togo. The objective of this study is to achieve a better knowledge of the types of air pollutants in the city of Lomé. The identification of the various atmospheric pollutants linked to the sources of pollution was made using micro-sensors. The standardized method was used to access target gas concentration levels. The average concentrations of NO2 gaseous pollutants at landfills are on average 0.333 μg/m3;0.403 mg/m3 at the industrial level, at the transport level they are on average 0.434 mg/m3 for the morning and 0.457 mg/m3 for the evening. Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) are higher in industrial areas than in others sources of pollution. The average concentration measured at this level is 1632.79 mg/m3. In terms of road transport, in the mornings the average concentration is 1493.23 mg/m3, in the evening the average concentration is 1354.09 mg/m3. On the other hand, they are lower at the level of the landfills, the average of which is 1265.08 ppm. The highest SO2 concentrations are also observed only in the landfills of Port 1 and Bè_Kpota 2 with concentrations respectively and relatively low and equal to 0.081 mg/m3 and 0.1616 mg/m3. The concentration of ground-level ozone is zero in industries and landfills. On the other hand, at the level of road transport, some values were recorded at the level of two road transports. These are Carrefour Attikoumé Djidjole (17.03 mg/m3) and Carrefour 2 Lions (0.001 mg/m3). The concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) in the capital at the industrial level are on average 22.57 mg/m3;at landfills it is on average 0.24 mg/m3. In terms of road transport, they are on average 7.890 mg/m3 for the morning and 8.23 mg/m3 for the evening. These results constitute a database for biomonitoring.

Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction: Consortium characteristics and application in co-removal of H_2S and methane

Anaerobic sludge from a sewage treatment plant was used to acclimatize microbial colonies capable of anaerobic oxidation of methane(AOM) coupled to sulfate reduction. Clone libraries and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to investigate the microbial population.Sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB)(e.g., Desulfotomaculum arcticum and Desulfobulbus propionicus)and anaerobic methanotrophic archaea(ANME)(e.g., Methanosaeta sp. and Methanolinea sp.)coexisted in the enrichment. The archaeal and bacterial cells were randomly or evenly distributed throughout the consortia. Accompanied by sulfate reduction, methane was oxidized anaerobically by the consortia of methane-oxidizing archaea and SRB. Moreover, CH_4 and SO_4^(2-) were consumed by methanotrophs and sulfate reducers with CO_2 and H_2S as products. The H_3CSH produced by methanotrophy was an intermediate product during the process. The methanotrophic enrichment was inoculated in a down-flow biofilter for the treatment of methane and H_2S from a landfill site. On average, 93.33% of H_2S and 10.71% of methane was successfully reduced in the biofilter. This study tries to provide effective method for the synergistic treatment of waste gas containing sulfur compounds and CH_4.

Effects of introducing energy recovery processes to the municipal solid waste management system in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Currently, most developing countries have not set up municipal solid waste management systems with a view of recovering energy from waste or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, we have studied the possible effects of introducing three energy recovery processes either as a single or combination approach, refuse derived fuel production,incineration and waste power generation, and methane gas recovery from landfill and power generation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a case study. We concluded that incineration process is the most suitable as first introduction of energy recovery. To operate it efficiently,3Rs strategies need to be promoted. And then, RDF production which is made of waste papers and plastics in high level of sorting may be considered as the second step of energy recovery.However, safety control and marketability of RDF will be required at that moment.