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Project title

Efficient and effective biofiltration of methane generated from on-site wastewater treatment system

Primary Funding Agency

Science Foundation Ireland

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Trinity College Dublin

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Methane (CH4) is the second most significant contributor (28%) to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Ireland. CH4 has predominantly been produced in low-purity (~5%) streams. The diluted CH4 stream is not suitable for energy recovery using physical-chemical treatments and sometime can�t even be flared and eventually escapes to the environment. In Ireland, approximately one-third of domestic wastewater is treated by on-site domestic wastewater treatment systems (OSWTSs). OSWTS typically release 10 kg-CO2eq/year/person GHG emission which included 63% CO2 and 27% CH4 of the total net emissions. The proposed project will develop a sustainable passive CH4 biofiltration solution to mitigate CH4 emissions from OSWTS. The proposed solution will use porous zeolites media adsorbent which will offer a medium to support growth for methanotrophs and may help to overcome the rate-limiting step of mass transfer from the gas phase into methanotrophic biofilm for low-purity CH4 streams. The solution will be developed based on our rigour knowledge of OSWTS and the fluid dynamics of the diluted CH4 stream generated from OSWTS. This project will directly contribute to mitigating global challenges, especially SDG 13 by reducing GHG emissions generated from wastewater management and treatment, therefore, contributing to GHG emissions reduction target.

Grant Approved

�311,087.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

1. Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options

Start Date

01/01/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/09/2024