Mitigating methane emissions from passive landfill vents: a viable option for older closed landfills

Abstract

This study investigated the use of biofilters to reduce methane emissions from landfill passive gas vents. Two biofilter designs were evaluated. The two filter designs achieved similar percent oxidation averages. The radial biofilter design, however, obtained a much higher methane oxidation rate. The higher surface area of flow in the radial biofilters decreased the methane influx leading to greater oxygen penetration into the biofilters. An average percent oxidation of 20% and higher were obtained when air temperature was 20-36°C, indicating the optimal soil temperature for methanotrophs to oxidise methane.