Inexpensive Biocover and Biofilter Approaches for Effective Reduction of Methane Emissions from Landfills

Florida State University, Tallahassee FL

Investigators

Abstract

0332070 Chanton The objectives of the proposed research are to: 1. Evaluate the performance of biocovers placed over the surface of landfill caps in field test plots. A biocover consisting of a 30 cm layer of gravel for gas dispersion overlain by a meter of mixed woodchips and mature composted yard waste would be constructed and monitored for methane emission and oxidation over 2 annual cycles. 2. Evaluate the performance of biofilters to eliminate methane emissions and attenuate non methane organic compound (NMOC) emissions from passive vents. Performance based designs for these systems would be the product of this research. Prospective applications of biocovers in the U.S. include landfills which are too small for commercial gas extraction, where gas production has declined beyond the point of commercial interest, where gas extraction is not required under U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Amendments, leaky areas or hot spots, or where interim cover will be in place for a substantial period of time before additional filling and eventual gas extraction.