A Simulation model for estimating methane oxidation and emission from landfill cover soils

Quantification of methane (CH4) oxidation and emission from landfill cover soils is important for evaluating measures to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a model that combines the multicomponent diffusive equation and Darcy's law, coupled with the dual Monod kinetic equation, was established to simulate CH4 transport, oxidation and emission in landfill cover soils. Sensitivity analysis was performed to illustrate the influence of model parameters on CH4 transport, oxidation and emission. The model was then applied to predict CH4 emissions from several column experiments. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that a high CH4 oxidation rate can be obtained with a high Vmax of cover soil, even for a low cover soil thickness, and that oxidation efficiency is constant when the thickness of the cover soil becomes greater than a threshold value. The simulated results fitted well with the measured values, confirming that the new model provides a reliable method for estimating CH4 emissions from landfills.