Microbial methane oxidation on various biofilter materials

This paper provides initial insights into the processes of methane oxidation in the presence of low methane concentrations and high volume flows in biofilters at mechanical-biological waste treatment plants. In addition to determining the potential and effective methane oxidation activities of various organic, natural, and technical materials, the influences of temperature, methane concentration, and volume flow were determined, a methanotrophic enrichment culture was characterized, and field trials were conducted. The biofilter system investigated provides operators of mechanical-biological waste treatment plants with a suitable tool for reducing methane emissions in the presence of low methane concentrations and high volume flows. Taking into account the available studies, specific guidelines could be derived from this work.