When does methane production occur in a landfill and when is it profitable? How does landfill gas move in the environment? What landfill and waste characteristics would be best suited to a bioreactor...

ENVIRONMETAL SCIENCE QUESTIONS

1. When does methane production occur in a landfill and when is it profitable?

Methane is produced during through anaerobic decomposition through anaerobic
bacteria. In anaerobic condition methane production occurs. This usually occurs in phase
III of landfill gas production when certain kinds of anaerobic bacteria consume organic
acids produced. This process creates a neutral environment in which methane producing
bacteria establish themselves.
Methane gas can be profitable if it is utilized in several purposes such as generation of
electricity, in heating and cooling systems, production of natural gas etc
2. How does landfill gas move in the environment?
Landfill gas, produced within the landfill mass is generally move away from the landfill.
Landfill gasses migrate with the aid of the soils or through ambient air or dispersion. The
production of landfill gas
Depends on advection (pressure gradients) and diffusion (concentration gradients)
between the surrounding environment and the landfill. Landfill gas will migrate from the
source area (landfill) along the path of least...