DOI: 10.31025/2611-4135/2026.19588 ISSN: 2611-4135

Effect of boundary conditions on the methane oxidation efficiency in landfill pilot-scale biofilters

Jeovana Jisla das Neves Santos, Mauro Duarte de Oliveira Neto, Yohan Dulac, Jordan Carneiro Martins de Souza, Federico Galli, Alexandre Cabral
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This study compares the performance of two pilot-scale biofilters designed to mitigate methane emissions at the Complexe Environnemental de Saint-Michel (CESM) landfill in Montreal, Canada. Although both systems shared the same geometry, they differed in materials and boundary conditions. CESM1 used a compost-woodchip mixture, while CESM2 incorporated a compost-gravel blend (STEM) and was partially enclosed to enable continuous monitoring. Field measurements showed that CESM1 consistently achieved higher methane oxidation efficiency and greater temporal stability. In contrast, CESM2 exhibited performance variability, particularly during the summer 2024, when internal heating and surface cracking were observed under the shelter enclosure. These conditions may have affected gas distribution and methanotrophic activity. Batch tests confirmed reduced microbial oxidation capacity in CESM2, prompting corrective interventions such as surface tilling and zone-specific repairs. Despite lower efficiency, CESM2 oxidized a higher total mass of methane due to substantially greater loading rates. Both systems followed seasonal trends, suggesting ambient temperature as a contributing factor. The results underscore the importance of adapting biofilter design to site-specific boundary conditions, especially in enclosed configurations where thermal and moisture dynamics may deviate from open-field scenarios. While engineered media such as STEM can support methane oxidation, their performance is contingent on appropriate structural and environmental management. From a design perspective, ensuring adequate gas distribution, preventing excessive heat accumulation, and maintaining moisture balance are critical to sustaining methane oxidation performance. In enclosed systems, additional attention should be given to surface integrity to avoid preferential pathways and reduced performance.

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