Institute for Environmental Management, Inc.

Other

Northeastern University

Cambridge Scientific, Inc.

Don Churchill Augenstein

John Rudiger Benemann

Donald L Wise

Joseph D Gresser

Ramin Yazdani

Debra J Trantolo

Abdul G Jimoh

Dean O Kuethe

Biochemical decomposition of undesirable gaseous contaminants, including nitrogen oxides, VOC's, carbon monoxide and sulfur oxides, and malodorous contaminants, is achieved by passing a gas stream through a managed landfill providing microbiological activity capable of degrading the contaminants. Gases suitable for treatment include fuel combustor exhaust, landfill gases, putrescent gases and the like. The landfill functions as a biological reactor (bioreactor), where water is added if or as necessary to achieve concentrations between about 20% and about 65% by weight, and desired microbial contaminant abatement action. By a permeation of the polluted gas through the landfill, there is a consumption of polluting gases by microorganisms present in the landfill. The process enables increased combustion of fuels, such as landfill gases, whose energy values are currently wasted or are not available due to emissions problems. The excess oxygen normally present in exhaust can advantageously result in additional oxidative waste consumption by microorganisms, yielding additional 'air space' that is an economic bonus in extending landfill life and/or lessening landfill use.

Landfill biofiltration system and methods for removal of gas-phase pollutants and contaminants

The invention involves a method of collecting biogas from a landfill with a variable rate of collection varied to match periods of greatest need for energy and greatest economic value of energy during a day. The variable collection rate is made possible by a landfill design that includes a gas permeable layer and a gas containment layer with gas collection from an extraction locus beneath the gas permeable layer. In some embodiments the landfill also includes a porous gas storage layer above the gas-permeable layer.

Collection of landfill gas at variable rates to match temporal needs for energy generation

The invention provides a process for producing hydrogen and methane gases by microbial fermentation. The process involves a first reactor in which a fermentation produces hydrogen and a liquid effluent. The liquid effluent is fermented in a second reactor to produce methane. The ratio of hydrogen to methane produced is adjusted by adjusting the liquid volume of the first reactor.

Process for microbial production of hydrogen and methane fuels

The invention provides an improved method of collecting biogas from a landfill that results in more complete collection of biogas produced in the landfill, and with less contamination with air. The method involves providing the landfill with an upper gas containment layer near the surface of the landfill to retard biogas escape and air entrainment into the landfill. Underneath the gas containment layer is provided a gas-permeable conductive layer. Underneath the conductive layer, a well withdraws biogas from the landfill. Withdrawal of biogas from the well creates a partial vacuum that draws gas from the gas-permeable conductive layer down through the waste mass to the well. If the rate of gas withdrawal from the well is too rapid, air will be entrained from the atmosphere into the gas-permeable conductive layer. But if the rate of gas withdrawal from the well is too slow, biogas may percolate through the gas-containment layer and the surface of the landfill to escape. Monitoring the gas composition of the gas-permeable layer allows one to determine quickly and continuously whether the rate of gas withdrawal from the well is too fast or too slow.

Landfill design and method for improved landfill gas capture

A biodegradable polymeric multiphasic release system of one or more biodegradable bursting units capable of delivering biologically active substances in a burst or pulse at predetermined times and a method for constructing those units is disclosed. The individual bursting units of the system may take the form of a biodegradable, membrane coated capsule surrounding a core material which may include an active agent. The membrane ruptures after a predetermined time upon exposure to water or bodily, or other aqueous environmental fluids. The bursting units may be used in any situation in which a controlled pulsed release of an active substance is desired. The predetermined time release of each bursting unit is controlled by the composition of the core material, the initial radius and wall thickness of the membrane and the porosity of the membrane. The core material may also contain a chemical composition which generates gas as fluid is drawn into the bursting unit thus adding an additional design variable for predetermining bursts.

Biodegradable bursting release system

A process for the manufacture of alkaline earth salts of acetic acid. Biomass is fermented under appropriate conditions to produce acetic acid, which is extracted from the fermentation broth with the aid of a basic liquid ion exchanger dissolved in an organic phase. The organic phase containing the product acetic acid is then reacted directly with a basic material such as limestone, and the resulting alkaline earth acetate product is recovered from the aqueous phase.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Don Churchill Augenstein