Quantification of multiple methane emission sources at landfills using a double tracer technique

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2011.01.015· OSTI ID:21550367

Scheutz, C ^[1]; Samuelsson, J ^[2]; Kjeldsen, P ^[1]

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1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljovej, Building 113, 2800 Kongens Lyngby (Denmark)
2. Chalmers University of Technology/FluxSense AB, SE-412 96 Goeteborg (Sweden)

Research highlights: > Precise and reliable measurements of emissions from landfills are needed. > A tracer technique involving simultaneous release of two tracers was proven successful. > Measurements to be performed at times with low changing trends in barometric pressure. - Abstract: A double tracer technique was used successfully to quantify whole-site methane (CH{sub 4}) emissions from Fakse Landfill. Emissions from different sections of the landfill were quantified by using two different tracers. A scaled-down version of the tracer technique measuring close-by to localized sources having limited areal extent was also used to quantify emissions from on-site sources at the landfill facility, including a composting area and a sewage sludge storage pit. Three field campaigns were performed. At all three field campaigns an overall leak search showed that the CH{sub 4} emissions from the old landfill section were localized to the leachate collection wells and slope areas. The average CH{sub 4} emissions from the old landfill section were quantified to be 32.6 {+-} 7.4 kg CH{sub 4} h{sup -1}, whereas the source at the new section was quantified to be 10.3 {+-} 5.3 kg CH{sub 4} h{sup -1}. The CH{sub 4} emission from the compost area was 0.5 {+-} 0.25 kg CH{sub 4} h{sup -1}, whereas the carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and nitrous oxide (N{sub 2}O) flux was quantified to be in the order of 332 {+-} 166 kg CO{sub 2} h{sup -1} and 0.06 {+-} 0.03 kg N{sub 2}O h{sup -1}, respectively. The sludge pit located west of the compost material was quantified to have an emission of 2.4 {+-} 0.63 kg h{sup -1} CH{sub 4}, and 0.03 {+-} 0.01 kg h{sup -1} N{sub 2}O.

• OSTI ID: 21550367
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Journal Name: Waste Management Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 31; ISSN WAMAE2; ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPOST
COMPOSTING
EMISSION
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LEAKS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METHANE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NITROUS OXIDE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
STORAGE
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES