A mathematical steady state model for methane bioelimination in a closed biofilter

Methane is a greenhouse gas, emitted from sources such as landfills. This paper presents a steady state model of methane biofiltration taking into consideration the impact of various parameters, such as the inlet methane concentration, the gas superficial velocity and the packing bed average temperature, on the methane biofilter efficiency. More specifically, the model developed here considers that the average bed temperature is influenced by the elimination capacity of methane in the biofilter, which is function of the methane inlet load. When using this model, it is possible to estimate the biofilter performance in terms of parameters, such as the conversion, elimination capacity and carbon dioxide production. Comparison of the model generated performance values with experimental data in the range of methane concentrations varying from 1500 to 9500 ppmv yields satisfactory results (<2–10% error, depending on the inlet methane concentration and on the performance parameter).