Methane, which is produced from the decomposition of the organic fraction of MSW, is one of the most important greenhouse gas. The global warming potential of methane is 21 times greater than carbon dioxide, and 11% of the total anthropogenic greenhou...
Methane, which is produced from the decomposition of the organic fraction of MSW, is one of the most important greenhouse gas. The global warming potential of methane is 21 times greater than carbon dioxide, and 11% of the total anthropogenic greenhouse effect is contributable to methane. However, part of methane that diffuses through the landfill cover will be oxidized befor reaching the atmosphere. Methanotrophs methane oxidation thus forms an alternative to landfill gas estraction for the mitigation of the methane emission.
Thereupon, We carried out an batch experiment and a continuous gas injection test using column, under various environmental conditions such as, methane oxidation rate, soil moisture, effect of water evaporation on methane oxidation rate using landfill cover soil.
Batch experiment was performed to determine the rates and the kinetic values of methane consumption in landfill cover soil and examine the effect of carbon dioxide on methane oxidation. Methanotrophs oxidized methane and converted to carbon dioxide, and methane oxidation had reaction pattern of Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The kinetic parameters of methane oxidation, the apparent Km (methane concentration at half of the maximal rate of methane oxidation) and the Vmax (the maximal rate of methane oxidation) were obtained 4,489 ppmv and 1,871 nmol/g dry soil/hr, respectively. The methane oxidation rate was 2,932 nmol/g dry soil/hr at the moisture content of 8% (by wt/wt) and this indicated 10% was the optimum moisture content. Wet conditions limited methane oxidation by restricting gas phase diffusion and dry conditions limited microbial activities due to physiological water stress.
In column test, landfill gas (CH4 : CO2 = 55 : 45) was injected into the packed landfill cover soil. The methane oxidation rate was found to be low as 0.92 L-CH4/m2/hr by the initial time, and then it increased to 6.52 L-CH4/m2/hr by the elapsed time, 43 day, which was about 90% of methane flowed in the column. Cover soil column was compared with control column and which was showed about 1% lower water content than control column. Moisture content was decreased from the top soil by the water evaporation which was observed differently as soil depth. Through of This study, Landfill cover soil was changed differently as soil depth by water evaporation, so methane oxidation was considered differently as soil depth. Although moisture content was decreased from landfill cover soil by water evaporation, the moisture content supply by the rainfall will operate importantly in methane oxidation.