Methane Biofiltration: A Cost-effective Approach to Eliminate Fugitive Methane Emissions

Title: Methane Biofiltration: A Cost-effective Approach to Eliminate Fugitive Methane Emissions
Author(s): J. Patrick. A. HETTIARATCHI
Paper category : conference
Book title: 2nd International Conference on Waste Engineering and Management - ICWEM 2010
Editor(s): J.Zh. Xiao, Y. Zhang, M.S. Cheung and Reuben P. K. Chu
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-102-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-103-2
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 349 - 356
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 9
Language: English

Abstract: Methane is estimated to be responsible for 15% of the excess warming of the earth’s atmosphere that has occurred sincepre-industrial times. Methane emissions from landfills around the world are estimated to contribute at least 10 to 15% of the total atmospheric budget from anthropogenic sources. Waste landfills in many countries are the largest source of anthropogenic emissions of methane, a key greenhouse gas. Because of the need to minimize emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere, it is prudent to search for cost-effective ways of minimizing landfill methane emissions. Recent research has shown that microbiologically mediated oxidation of CH4, or methanotrophy, may serve as an inexpensive technique for reducing CH4 emissions from landfills. In this paper, a low-cost technique available to eliminate fugitive methane emissions from landfills and other sources is presented.
This innovative technique, methane oxidation using biologically mediated methanotrophy, could be applied to control point sources of methane emissions as well as area sources. At oil and gas industrial facilities, such as oil wells and batteries, both engineered and fugitive emissions could be controlled using methanotrophy. This paper presents laboratory results as well as results from field application at various facilities.

Online publication: 2011-01-25
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00