Estudo Experimental de Gases em Camadas de Cobertura no Aterro de Nova Iguaçu - RJ.

Abstract

This research presents a literature review on methane emissions from landfills, the concepts of landfill gas generation, the landfill internal gas flow, introduces the methods of measurement of gases "in situ", types of final landfill coverage and the methane oxidation in the cover layer. The research also purposes to measure greenhouse gas emissions and to evaluate the infiltration of rainwater through the landfill cover layer of the CTR Nova Iguaçu. Measurements were made in the months from July to November 2010, the existing monolithic cover layer and another built on a capillary barrier. Sensors to measure temperature and humidity were installed in two layers in depth. Plate assays were performed to measure the flow of the gas composition and flow through the two types of layers, and evaluated two situations with the gas extraction wells active and off. The sensors have indicated that in times of low rainfall, the capillary barrier has superior efficacy to the monolithic layer, and with the intensification of rain, the moisture content measured on two types of layers increase, the capillary barrier and the gradient established between sensors decreases, indicating a possible trend to saturation of capillary barrier. However, with the stoppage of rain, recovers and returns to its initial condition. The results of measurements of gases demonstrated the efficiency of extraction of gas when activated, resulting in near zero emissions of methane and carbon dioxide in the two types of layers. However, when the system is off, the emissions through the monolithic layer is about three times larger than through the capillary barrier.