| The overall objective of this research has been to develop a numerical model incorporating the basic concepts from microbiology, chemistry and physics to simulate the spatial and temporal production and transport of biogas and heat in sanitary landfills. This objective was accomplished in two major steps: first, the incorporation of Halvadakis's equations (Halvadakis, 1983) for the microbial landfill ecosystem dynamics in the multi-layer, time-dependent gas transport and production model (Findikakis and Leckie, 1979) and second, the development of a heat generation and transport model that when coupled with the gas generation and transport model, simulates the spatial and temporal temperature distribution within landfills, as well as the temperature effects and feedbacks on the chemical, biological and physical properties of the ecosystem. The final numerical model was used to simulate data collected over a period of four years at the Mountain View Controlled landfill Project. The model was also used to assess the sensitivity and significance of the physical, chemical, and biological parameters that control gas and heat generation and transport in sanitary landfills. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)... |
