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Examples of BioreactorOperating Experience

E. McBean, Ph.D., P.Eng., P.E.School of EngineeringUniversity of Guelph

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Tucuman Bioreactor

• Part of a multi-year project beingundertaken in Tucuman, Argentina

• Cell One - 30 m x 50 m x 6 m depth• Estimated 6200 tonnes of refuse

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Tucuman Bioreactor

• Expected rate of gas generation k= 0.024/yr• Value obtained to date k’ = 0.515/yr

• 75 cfm at 45% methane

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Situation prior to construction of Bioreactor

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Table 2: Comparison of Waste Compositions (in%) in Argentina and Canad

Constituent Category Tucumán, Argentina Vancouver, Canad

Organics 64.1 33.5

Plastics 7.05 13.3

Metals 2 3.4

Batteries 0.1 0.1

Bottles/Glass 3.1 3.1

Textiles 1.3 3.9

Diapers 6.1 2.5

Paper, Newsprint 9.0 27.1

Cardboard 3.2 5.2

Styrene 0.1 Nm

Inorganics/Other 3.8 2.92

Table 2: Comparison of Waste Compositions (in%) in Argentina and Canad

Constituent Category Tucumán, Argentina Vancouver, Canad

Organics 64.1 33.5

Plastics 7.05 13.3

Metals 2 3.4

Batteries 0.1 0.1

Bottles/Glass 3.1 3.1

Textiles 1.3 3.9

Diapers 6.1 2.5

Paper, Newsprint 9.0 27.1

Cardboard 3.2 5.2

Styrene 0.1 Nm

Inorganics/Other 3.8 2.92

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Table 1: Mean climatic data, Tucumán, Argentina

Months Mean Air Temperature (°C) Mean precipitation (mm)

January 24.5 183

February 23.7 159

March 22 162

April 18.3 59

May 15.4 29

June 12.3 19

July 12.6 10

August 14 8

September 17.1 12

October 20.2 77

November 22.5 108

December 24.6 150

Total 19 976

Table 1: Mean climatic data, Tucumán, Argentina

Months Mean Air Temperature (°C) Mean precipitation (mm)

January 24.5 183

February 23.7 159

March 22 162

April 18.3 59

May 15.4 29

June 12.3 19

July 12.6 10

August 14 8

September 17.1 12

October 20.2 77

November 22.5 108

December 24.6 150

Total 19 976

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Table 3: Nonlinear Regression Results

Constituent Gas Regression Result K (year-1) Lo (m3/metric tonne)

LFG G = 0.49·L0·M·e(-0.49·t) 0.49 322

Methane G = 0.51·L0·M·e(-0.51·t) 0.51 167

Table 3: Nonlinear Regression Results

Constituent Gas Regression Result K (year-1) Lo (m3/metric tonne)

LFG G = 0.49·L0·M·e(-0.49·t) 0.49 322

Methane G = 0.51·L0·M·e(-0.51·t) 0.51 167

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Table 4: Time to Varying Percentages of Cumulative Methane Generation

Time to:Tucumán Bioreactor

Rate Constant (1)

k = 0.515 year-1

USEPA RateConstant (2)

k=0.21 year-1

Ontario RateConstant (3)

k = 0.024 year-1

50% generation 1.3 years 3.2 years 28.8 years

80% generation 3.1 years 7.6 years 66.9 years

95% generation 5.8 years 14.2 years 124.5 years

Notes:(1) Calculated Rate Constant for the Tucumán Bioreactor(2) Maximum USEPA Rate Constant; k=0.21 year-1 (Pelt et al., 1998)(3) Default Rate Constant for the Province of Ontario; (k = 0.024 year-1) (Levelton, 1991;

Environment Canada, 2001)

Table 4: Time to Varying Percentages of Cumulative Methane Generation

Time to:Tucumán Bioreactor

Rate Constant (1)

k = 0.515 year-1

USEPA RateConstant (2)

k=0.21 year-1

Ontario RateConstant (3)

k = 0.024 year-1

50% generation 1.3 years 3.2 years 28.8 years

80% generation 3.1 years 7.6 years 66.9 years

95% generation 5.8 years 14.2 years 124.5 years

Notes:(1) Calculated Rate Constant for the Tucumán Bioreactor(2) Maximum USEPA Rate Constant; k=0.21 year-1 (Pelt et al., 1998)(3) Default Rate Constant for the Province of Ontario; (k = 0.024 year-1) (Levelton, 1991;

Environment Canada, 2001)

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20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Time (years)

LFG

Em

issi

on R

ate

(cfm

)

Biocell 1 LFG Generation Rate (Semi-monthly/Monthly Averages)

LFG generation rate using Cell 1 f ield data (k=0.49)

G = 0.49 Lo M exp (-0.49.t)

Sept-02 Sept-03 Sept-04 Sept-05 Sept-06 Sept-07 Sept-08 Sept-09 Sept-10 Sept-11Sept-01

Figure 2A: LFG Generation Rate over Time, Tucumán Bioreactor, Argentina

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23Figure 2B: Methane Generation Rate over Time, Tucumán Bioreactor, Argentina

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Time (years)

CH

4 Em

issi

on R

ate

(cfm

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Biocell 1 Methane Generation Rate (Semi-monthly/Monthly Averages)

LFG generation rate using Cell 1 f ield data (k=0.49)

G = 0.51 Lo M exp (-0.51.t)

Sept-02 Sept-03 Sept-04 Sept-05 Sept-06 Sept-07 Sept-08 Sept-09 Sept-10 Sept-11Sept-01

24Figure 3A: Comparison of Different Rate Constants on LFG Data, Tucumán Bioreactor, Argentina

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Time (years)

LFG

Em

issi

on R

ate

(cfm

)

Biocell 1 LFG Generation Rate (Semi-monthly/Monthly Averages)

LFG generation rate using Cell 1 f ield data (k=0.49)

Maximum LFG generation potential for conventional landfills (USEPA) (k=0.21)

LFG generation rate for typical conventional landfills (k=0.024)

50% (K = 0.49)

95% (K = 0.49)

80% (K = 0.49)

50% (K = 0.21)

80% (K = 0.21)

G = 0.49 Lo M exp (-0.49.t)

Sept-02 Sept-03 Sept-04 Sept-05 Sept-06 Sept-07 Sept-08 Sept-09 Sept-10 Sept-11Sept-01

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25Figure 3B: Comparison of Different Rate Constants on Methane Data, Tucumán Bioreactor, Argentina

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Time (years)

CH

4 Em

issi

on R

ate

(cfm

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Biocell 1 Methane Generation Rate (Semi-monthly/Monthly Averages)

LFG generation rate using Cell 1 f ield data (k=0.49)

Maximum LFG generation rate for conventional landfills (USEPA) (k=0.21)

LFG generation rate for typical conventional landfill (k=0.024)

50% (K = 0.51)

95% (K = 0.51)

80% (K = 0.51)

50% (K = 0.21) 80%

(K = 0.21)

G = 0.51 Lo M exp (-0.51.t)

Sept-02 Sept-03 Sept-04 Sept-05 Sept-06 Sept-07 Sept-08 Sept-09 Sept-10 Sept-11Sept-01

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TIME (YEARS)

Figure 5: Subsidence Rate over Time, Tucumán Bioreactor, Argentina

DE

GR

EE

OF

SUB

SID

EN

CE

(% O

FO

RIG

INA

L)

Aug-01 Oct-02 Apr-03 Nov-0370

90

100

Mar-02

80

Aug-01 Oct-02 Apr-03 Nov-0370

90

100

Mar-02

80

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Table 5: Heavy Metal Concentrations in Leachate over Time

Time

Metal (mg/L) March 2002(7 months)

December 2002(17 months)

February 200319 months

December 200440 months

Chromium 1.4 1.07 0.65 0.85

Lead 0.23 Nm 0.17 0.04Iron 24.4 14.5 10.0 8.8

Zinc 0.43 Nm 0.28 NmNote: Nm = Not measured

Table 5: Heavy Metal Concentrations in Leachate over Time

Time

Metal (mg/L) March 2002(7 months)

December 2002(17 months)

February 200319 months

December 200440 months

Chromium 1.4 1.07 0.65 0.85

Lead 0.23 Nm 0.17 0.04Iron 24.4 14.5 10.0 8.8

Zinc 0.43 Nm 0.28 NmNote: Nm = Not measured

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Getlini Eko Landfill

• Biocells for Riga, Latvia

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Numerous gas collection methodologies

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• Questions?