In-situ testing of methane emissions from landfills using laser absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

Field monitoring of methane emissions from landfills is of great importance for both environmental concern and economic benefit. This study presents a highly effective method to measure methane emissions from landfills based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). Methane concentration is obtained by analyzing the absorption spectrum of the laser after passing through the landfill gas. The relationship between methane concentration and the optical signal was calibrated in the laboratory. As the methane concentration increased from 400 ppm to 5000 ppm, the absorption spectrum amplitude increased linearly from 0.0005 to 0.0046. In situ testing of methane emissions at a large-scale landfill in China demonstrated the accuracy of the TDLAS method. The methane concentrations in the well-covered areas were generally below 100 ppm. In the working area or the coverage area with holes, the methane concentration was about 700 ppm. The methane concentration was up to 1900 ppm, where the gas collection pipe is disconnected. Due to to the accuracy and simplicity, the TDLAS method is suitable to detect methane emissions on a large-scale from landfills.