Optimized Landfill Biocover for CH4 Oxidation I: Experimental Design and Oxidation Performance

Background: Methane oxidation in landfill biocovers is a recognized technology for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. Objective and Method: A test cell was designed to investigate the combination of minimizing water infiltration into the waste and the oxidation of methane in an optimized landfill cover under Dutch climatic conditions. Limitation of infiltration was intended by means of a capillary barrier. With respect to methane oxidation it was intended to achieve a cover with a relatively high air filled porosity. Results and Conclusion: This paper reports on the design of the landfill biocover test cell, presents a novel, spatially more representative chamber measurement method, assesses its applicability, and presents the established carbon balance and the associated restrictions. An asset was the controlled gas influx and the coverage of the entire test cell with chamber measurements, by means of which CH4 oxidation rates (12.0 ± 1.7 g CH4 m-2 d-1) and efficiencies (at least 77 ± 5%) could be derived.