Hettiaratchi, Joseph PatrickAbedi Yarandy, Tina2022-04-042022-04-042022-03Abedi Yarandy, T. (2022). Biochemical methane potential and methane oxidation potential of excavated waste residue from Calgary Biocell (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/114528The overall goal of this research is to determine the biological properties of the excavated waste residue (EWR) from the Calgary Biocell to evaluate overall environmental economic value of Biocell technology. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) and methane oxidation potential (MOP) of the EWR were evaluated to find the carbon offset of the Calgary Biocell project and potential application of EWR in future landfill biocovers. The EWR samples were collected from different locations within the Calgary Biocell and characterized. The composition of each EWR sample was determined, and the physical and chemical characteristics of the individual EWR samples were evaluated following standard methods. The BMP assays were conducted using a modified method for landfill BMP assay. A composite sample which was a mixture of all samples was prepared to represent the entire Biocell condition and was tested in triplicate to find the experimental errors. Twelve sets of laboratory batch experiments (three composite sample replicates, eight grab samples and one blank sample) were conducted using the biodegradable fraction of EWR to compare the CH4 generation potential (Lo), the rate of CH4 production (Rm) and the first-order rate coefficient (k) values of different locations. The results showed statistically significant differences between grab samples obtained from deeper parts of the Biocell with an average Lo value of 8.28 mL CH4/g TS and grab samples obtained from shallower parts of the Biocell with an average Lo value of 18.21 mL CH4/g TS. Results showed that the waste in the deeper parts has gone through more degradation than the waste in shallower parts, thus having a lower CH4 generation potential. Also, the effect of EWR composition on Lo was found to be significant. EWR samples with a higher percentage of paper and cardboard in their composition demonstrated a higher Lo value. The MOP results of the EWR samples showed higher CH4 oxidation potential for samples from deeper parts of the Biocell with the average Vmax as 0.76 mol/h/g compared with samples from the shallower parts with the average Vmax value of 0.47 mol/h/g which is 60% lower. Higher moisture content in the samples from the deeper parts of the Biocell could be the reason for having a higher CH4 oxidation potential. However, the CH4 oxidation potential of EWR was found to be less than typical materials being used as biocover. Although the application of EWR in landfill biocovers promote the circular economy, it is not as efficient as other biocover materials in terms of CH4 oxidation. Using the experimental Lo and k values obtained from the BMP assays, it is estimated that 42,754 m3 of CH4 will be emitted into the atmosphere from the Calgary Biocell within the next five years under the business-as-usual scenario. Considering the carbon tax in Alberta, the excavation of the Biocell and recovery of the EWR creates revenue of about $108,731 over the next 5 years.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Landfill BioreactorLandfill MiningBMPMethane OxidationCarbon OffsetEngineering--Environmentalmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/39670