IDENTIFICATION OF FUGITIVE EMISSIONS IN LANDFILLS THROUGH INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

Abstract

The present work seeks to contribute with existing methodologies for quantifying fugitive emissions from Solid Waste Disposal Sites (SWDS). Considering that the production of biogas takes place through an exothermic reaction, this process causes an increase in temperature on the surface through which the gas flows. The aim is to demonstrate the relationship between surface temperature anomalies in landfill soils and the presence of fugitive emissions of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Measurement campaigns were carried out at the Jockey Club’s Controlled Landfill – Federal District, and an experimental visualization of the porous media flow and heat transfer was carried out in laboratory. Thermographic images obtained by Thermal Infrared (TIR) FLIR allowed the thermal visualization of the studied surfaces and the portable gas meter GEM-5000 allowed the identification of the different concentrations of gases in situ. The results show that 80% of the points measured in the field converged in temperature and CH₄ and CO₂ concentration, which proves a correlation between thermal anomalies and landfill gas escape points. The representation of the hot air flow through discontinuities in the porous medium on the experimental bench was captured by thermography, attributing greater accuracy to the measurement process. Which these qualitative results, it is possible to show that the methodology used is potentially a complementary tool for the identification of fugitive emissions in SWDS, consequently contributing to environmental remediation practices and the biogas energetic use.