Biofiltration prototyes for methane oxidation in landfill aftercare and abatement Of NMVOCs and odorous compounds

Landfills are listed as the second anthropogenic source of atmospheric methane (CH4) contributing significantly to climate change. In addition, landfill gas (LFG) may contain more than 200 nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) that may be toxic, odorous or both. Biofilter and biocovers have been identified as an alternative and cost-effective technology to control and mitigate impacts due to CH4 and NMVOCs emissions in both managed and unmanaged landfills. Two biofiltrations prototype were designed and constructed: an active biofiltration system (biofilter) at Podere il Pero landfill (Arezzo, Italy) and a passive biofiltration system (biowindow) at Le Fornaci landfill (Siena, Italy). The biofiltration systems are monitored to study the biological process and evaluate the methane oxidation efficiency and the attenuation of NMVOC emissions. The results of the monitoring campaigns of showed that the active biofiltration system has a relatively high capacity for the CH4 methane oxidation (60-70%) while the passive biofiltration systems showed CH4 oxidation efficiency up to 100%. The results of the monitoring NMVOCs showed a significant reduction (76.98% for the biofilter) of the pollutant inlet the biofiltration prototypes. The odorous emissions results always under the value indicated as concentration limit normally prescribed for exhaust air treatment devices.