Preliminary qualitative and quantitative assessment of gases from biodigestion of solid wastes in the landfill of Londrina,Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

Trials conducted in controlled landfillsor dumps are still incipient in Brazil. This paper aimed to qualify and quantify the emission of biogas in the landfill of Londrina, Parana State. Measurements were performed by three types of tests: static closed chamber for the characterization and quantification of gas leakage by the surface layer, inspection tubes for pressure quantification and qualification of the biogas produced below the surface layer and, finally, measurements in vertical drains to quantify and qualify the biogas. Results for the flow rates of methane gas in the vertical drains ranged from 0 to 190.2 N m(3) h(-1), depending on the shape of the drain and to the age of solid waste deposition. The tests with static closed chamberhad results between 1.3 and 30.6 NL h(-1) m(2), influenced by changes in the age of solid waste deposition, different thicknesses of the surface layer, and excessive rainfall during the tests. With the data of methane gas flow obtained by thestatic closed chambertests and by the biogas drains, it was preliminary quantified the total emission of methane in the landfill of Londrina, Parana State.