An efficiency of microbial methane oxidation biofilters depending on the type of support media

Biofiltration of the biogas in biological deposits is one of few possible ways to reduce the methane emission from municipal landfills, containing biodegradable fraction. These deposits are the mediums of growth of microorganisms having the ability to oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide and water. Different types of organic and mineral materials could be consider as a support materials of biofilter. Evaluation of the capacity of composts, soils, peat, bark, as also as sand and gravel materials was the aim of this paper. The analysis was conducted on the basis of the results of the own experiments and literature data. It would be helpful in choosing the most effective biofilter medium support, regarding to methane oxidation. The largest measured speed of CH4 oxidation of in long-term investigations (11 months) was affirmed on biofilters with the mixed filling, consisting of the even volumes of compost, peat and wood fibers. Speed of CH4 oxidation was about 420 dm(3)m(-2)d(-1). The highest values of CH4 oxidation rate in short-term investigations were noted for compost fillings. Their values were in the range from 590 to 1314 dm(3)m(-2)d(-1). The abilities of CH4 oxidation in soils and sandy materials were lower than in composts and were in the range 67,4 divided by 336 dm(3)m(-2)d(-1) (with the omission of maximum values).