AERMOD as a Gaussian dispersion model for planning tracer gas dispersion tests for landfill methane emission quantification
AERMOD as a Gaussian dispersion model for planning tracer gas dispersion tests for landfill methane emission quantification
The measurement of methane emissions from landfills is important to the understanding of landfills' contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The Tracer Dispersion Method (TDM) is becoming widely accepted as a technique, which allows landfill emissions to be quantified accurately provided that measurements are taken where the plumes of a released tracer-gas and landfill-gas are well-mixed. However, the distance at which full mixing of the gases occurs is generally unknown prior to any experimental campaign.To overcome this problem the present paper demonstrates that, for any specific TDM application, a simple Gaussian dispersion model (AERMOD) can be run beforehand to help determine the distance from the source at which full mixing conditions occur, and the likely associated measurement errors. An AERMOD model was created to simulate a series of TDM trials carried out at a UK landfill, and was benchmarked against the experimental data obtained. The model was used to investigate the impact of different factors (e.g. tracer cylinder placements, wind directions, atmospheric stability parameters) on TDM results to identify appropriate experimental set ups for different conditions.The contribution of incomplete vertical mixing of tracer and landfill gas on TDM measurement error was explored using the model. It was observed that full mixing conditions at ground level do not imply full mixing over the entire plume height. However, when full mixing conditions were satisfied at ground level, then the error introduced by variations in mixing higher up were always less than 10%.
Full mixing distance, GHG emissions, Modelling, Tracer dispersion method, Vertical mixing
924-936
Matacchiera, F.
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Manes, C.
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Beaven, R.P.
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Rees-White, T.C.
852278dd-f628-4d98-a03a-a34fea8c75d6
Boano, F.
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Mønster, J.
e9bfee68-17aa-499e-a597-8da39301af1b
Scheutz, C.
a3d4800e-b39f-4236-98db-4b4f5fa07877
15 March 2019
Matacchiera, F.
b8bd8341-cfe1-4c73-8cb3-c7276ae0d0f5
Manes, C.
7d9d5123-4d1b-4760-beff-d82fe0bd0acf
Beaven, R.P.
5893d749-f03c-4c55-b9c9-e90f00a32b57
Rees-White, T.C.
852278dd-f628-4d98-a03a-a34fea8c75d6
Boano, F.
dc63ed75-1eef-496e-8c26-54a8565aa3aa
Mønster, J.
e9bfee68-17aa-499e-a597-8da39301af1b
Scheutz, C.
a3d4800e-b39f-4236-98db-4b4f5fa07877
Matacchiera, F., Manes, C., Beaven, R.P., Rees-White, T.C., Boano, F., Mønster, J. and Scheutz, C.
(2019)
AERMOD as a Gaussian dispersion model for planning tracer gas dispersion tests for landfill methane emission quantification.
Waste Management, 87, .
(doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2018.02.007).
Abstract
The measurement of methane emissions from landfills is important to the understanding of landfills' contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The Tracer Dispersion Method (TDM) is becoming widely accepted as a technique, which allows landfill emissions to be quantified accurately provided that measurements are taken where the plumes of a released tracer-gas and landfill-gas are well-mixed. However, the distance at which full mixing of the gases occurs is generally unknown prior to any experimental campaign.To overcome this problem the present paper demonstrates that, for any specific TDM application, a simple Gaussian dispersion model (AERMOD) can be run beforehand to help determine the distance from the source at which full mixing conditions occur, and the likely associated measurement errors. An AERMOD model was created to simulate a series of TDM trials carried out at a UK landfill, and was benchmarked against the experimental data obtained. The model was used to investigate the impact of different factors (e.g. tracer cylinder placements, wind directions, atmospheric stability parameters) on TDM results to identify appropriate experimental set ups for different conditions.The contribution of incomplete vertical mixing of tracer and landfill gas on TDM measurement error was explored using the model. It was observed that full mixing conditions at ground level do not imply full mixing over the entire plume height. However, when full mixing conditions were satisfied at ground level, then the error introduced by variations in mixing higher up were always less than 10%.
Text
WM-17-1693
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 5 February 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 13 February 2018
Published date: 15 March 2019
Additional Information:
Special issue of Waste Management “Landfill Gas Emission Monitoring”.
Keywords:
Full mixing distance, GHG emissions, Modelling, Tracer dispersion method, Vertical mixing
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 419101
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/419101
ISSN: 0956-053X
PURE UUID: e43ba593-ef70-42f0-90d1-cee603b0d842
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Date deposited: 29 Mar 2018 16:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 06:16
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Contributors
Author:
F. Matacchiera
Author:
C. Manes
Author:
F. Boano
Author:
J. Mønster
Author:
C. Scheutz
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