Intelligent MSW Biocell Approach for Efficient Methane Production

Ahmad Qasaimeh

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jerash University, Jordan.

DOI: 10.4236/cweee.2012.12003                

Abstract

The aim of this research is to provide approach to enhance methane production and to convert CO₂ released into methane via anaerobic degradation. Despite CH₄ has more global warming potential than CO₂ but it is less available in the environment and it has fuel value. This research suggests approach that methane is being stimulated and carbon dioxide is being converted to methane. The methane enhancement herein is achieved via technical and intelligent processes. The technical processes entail leachate and carbon dioxide recirculation. The recirculated leachate is controlled via fuzzy intelligent system that acquires values of abiotic factors such as C:N:P, pH, temperature, and moisture content, and then these values are introduced to trained fuzzy system to decide the value of methane production quality. The fuzzy logic proceeds in systematic sequence as input, inference through rules, and output. If the fuzzy logic output decision indicates bad production, then the value of aboitic factors are dynamically altered with optimized combination of values. Carbon dioxide is being re-circulated in order to convert it biologically to methane by hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The hydrophobic permeable membranes are used as planes through the solid waste. These selective membranes are used to separate biogas and to have smooth and fast transfer of biogas from waste to the storage. The approach of this research is believed to be as a new generation of sustainable green bio-fuel biocells.

Keywords

Intelligent; Enhanced CH₄ Production; CO₂ Conversion; Leachate Recirculation; Abiotic Factors; Hydrophobic Membranes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Ishigaki, T., Yamada, M., Nagamori, M., Ono, Y., and Inoue, Y., 2005. "Estimation of methane emission from whole waste landfill site using correlation between flux and ground temperature", Environ. Geol. 48, pp. 845-853.
[2]	Stern, J.C., Chanton J., Abichou, T., Po-welson, D., Yuan, L., Escoriza, S., and Bogner, J., 2007. "Use of biologically active cover to reduce landfill methane emissions and enhance methane oxidation", Waste Management 27, pp. 1248-1258.
[3]	Wang-Yao K., Towprayoon, S., Chiemchaisri, C., Gheewala, S.H., and Nopharatana, A., 2006. "Seasonal Variation of Landfill Methane Emission from Seven Solid Waste Disposal Sites in Central Thailand", The 2nd Joint International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE 2006), 21-23 November 2006, Bangkok, Thail-and.
[4]	Czepiel, P.M., Shorter, J.H., Mosher, B., All-wine, E., McManus, J.B., Harriss, R.C., Kolb, C.E., and Lamb, B.K., 2003. "The influence of atmospheric pressure on landfill methane emissions", Waste Management 23, pp. 593-598.
[5]	Kinman, R.N., Nutini, D.L., Walsh, J.J., Vogt, W.G., Stamm, J., Rickabaugh, J., 1987. Gas enhancement techniques in landfill simulators. Waste Management and Research 5, 13–25.
[6]	Reinhart, D.R., Al-Yousfi, A.B., 1996. The impact of leachate recirculation on municipal solid waste landfill operating haracteristics. Waste Management and Research 14, 337–346.
[7]	Reinhart, D.R., Townsend, T.G., 1998. Landfill Bioreactor Design and Operation. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.
[8]	Zhang, H., He, P., and Shao, L., 2008. "Methane emissions from MSW landfill with sandy soil covers under leachate recirculation and subsurface irrigation", Atmospheric Environment, DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.03.010.
[9]	Christensen, T.H., Kjeldsen, P., and Lindhardt, B., 1996. "Gas-Generating Processes in Landfills", in Landfilling of Waste: Biogas (eds Christensen, T.H., Cossu, R., and Stegmann, R.,) E & FN Spon, London, ISBN: 0 419 19400 2, pp. 25-50.
[10]	Isci, A. and Demirer, G.N., 2007. "Biogas production potential from cotton wastes", Renewable Energy 32, pp. 750-757.
[11]	Williams, P.T., 2005. "Waste Treatment and Disposal", 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, England, ISBN 0-470-84912-6, pp. 171-244.
[12]	Naranjo, N.M., Meima, J.A., Haarstrick, A., and Hempel, D.C., 2004. "Modelling and experimental investigation of environmental influences on the acetate and methane formation in solid waste", Waste Management 24, pp. 763–773.
[13]	Gurijala, K.R., Sa, P., and Robinson, J.A., 1997. "Statistical Modeling of Methane Production from Landfill Samples", Applied and Environmental Microbiology 63, pp. 3797-3803.
[14]	Sormunen, K., Ettala, M., and Rintala, J., 2008. "Detailed internal characterization of two Finnish landfills by waste sampling", Waste Management 28, pp. 151-163.
[15]	Tecle, D., Lee, J., and Hasan, S., 2008. "Quantitative analysis of physical and geotechnical factors affecting methane emission in municipal solid waste landfill", Environ Geol., DOI 10.1007/s00254-008-1214-3.
[16]	Anaerobic biodegradation for solid waste , retrieved 2012 from the URL: http://www.wtert.eu/default.asp?Menue=13&ShowDok=12#AcidogenesisAcidogenesis
[17]	Qasaimeh Ahmad, Elektorowicz Maria, and Jasiuk Iwona (2006a). Investigation and Fuzzy Regime for Biogas Transport in Hydrophobic Permeable Polymer, Fuzzy Information Processing Society, 2006. NAFIPS 2006. Annual meeting of the North American: Page(s):25 – 30
[18]	Qasaimeh Ahmad, Elektorowicz Maria, and Jasiuk Iwona (2006b). Intelligent Fuzzy Control for Biogas in Hydrophobic Polymer System. Industrial Electronics, IEEE International Symposium, Volume 1, Page(s):252 – 256
[19]	Qasaimeh Ahmad, Elektorowicz Maria, and Jasiuk Iwona. Intelligent Novel Solid Waste Management System (QEJ Bricks Biocell Approach), Hypothesis 2010, 8(1): pp 1-14
[20]	Qasaimeh Ahmad. Root Analogous Solid Waste Management System (RA-MSW for Biocells) Journal of environmental Protection, Vol. 3 No. 8, 2010: In press
[21]	Qasaimeh Ahmad, Elektorowicz Maria, and Jasiuk Iwona. Investigation of Biogas Transport in Hydrophobic Permeable Medium for Biocells, the Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management. In press