LESSONS LEARNED FROM LONG-TERM OPERATION OF FIELD-SCALE METHANE BIOFILTERS

摘要

Methane is a key greenhouse gas (GHG) with 25 times the global warming potential (GWP) of carbon dioxide. Methane emissions are associated with a variety of industry sectors including oil and gas sector, landfills, and feedlot operations. When the quantities of methane emissions from these individual locations are high, it is economically feasible to capture and use it as an energy source. When the quantities released at individual locations are relatively small and the quality is low, this methane cannot be used as an energy source; therefore, environmentally acceptable methods are needed for their control. Methanotrophic bacteria are capable of converting methane to carbon dioxide without producing toxic by-products. We have conducted extensive research to develop methanobiofiltration (MBF) technology, utilizing this capability of methanotrophic bacteria (Hettiarachchi et al., 2011; Mancebo et al., 2012, Wilshusen et al., 2004). The field application of MBF technology, supported by concurrent laboratory and theoretical investigations, is the focus of this study.