Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4472461 Waste Management 2011 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

Landfill gas (LFG) emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are an important environmental concern in Brazil due to the existence of several uncontrolled disposal sites. A program of laboratory and field tests was conducted to investigate gas generation in and emission from an Experimental Cell with a 36,659-ton capacity in Recife/PE – Brazil. This investigation involved waste characterisation, gas production and emission monitoring, and geotechnical and biological evaluations and was performed using three types of final cover layers. The results obtained in this study showed that waste decomposes 4–5 times faster in a tropical wet climate than predicted by traditional first-order models using default parameters. This fact must be included when considering the techniques and economics of projects developed in tropical climate countries. The design of the final cover layer and its geotechnical and biological behaviour proved to have an important role in minimising gas emissions to the atmosphere. Capillary and methanotrophic final cover layers presented lower CH4 flux rates than the conventional layer.

Research highlights► Laboratory and field tests to investigate gas generation in and CH4 emission. ► The study performed on an Experimental Cell with a 36,659-ton capacity in Brazil. ► The results showed waste decomposes 4–5 times faster in a tropical wet climate. ► Capillary and methanotrophic final cover layers presented lower CH4 emissions. ► These facts must be considered in projects developed in tropical climate countries.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
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