Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine (ESEMAG) June 2001

Page 22

Instrumentation

improve the ability to operate in extreme weather conditions and allow for higher speeds consistent with terrain condi tions. The OMD is designed to perform 14,000 measurements per second, thus providing immediate response. In the future, this technology could make ATV emission testing

mer conditions. However, the location

of"hot spots" seems to remain constant, although the emission areas tend to be larger during summer conditions. In situ testing of gas levels in the soil tends to be higher in the summer

even more cost-effective.

Currently, the capital cost for the OMD system is approxi mately four times that of the FI system. Experience to date indi cates that surface emissions are reduced when site condi

trapping the sun's heat near the earth's surface. This natural effect establishes

our planet's climate and maintains the earth's average temperature at about 33°C. In previous centuries, the release and adsorption of greenhouse gases re mained approximately in equilibrium. During this past century, mankind's progress and activi ties have resulted in greater quantities of greenhouse gases being released than are adsorbed. It is generally be lieved that increasing levels of greenhouse gases will result in global warming resulting in unpredictable and complex changes in the earth's climate. At the Kyoto "Conference on

tions are damp(dew),particu larly in the northern regions. For reliable and repeatable results, dry surface conditions are preferable. Tests have in the Environment" in 1997,the dicated that westerly facing industrialized countries slopes exhibited low to nonagreed to an average cut of existent gas emissions during 5.2% in greenhouse gas emis Conducting DGPS perimeter study prior to starting surface the morning hours. However, sions from the 1990 level by emission analysis. by early afternoon the gas years 2008-2012. emission levels on west side slopes in months, probably due to better venting The combined technologies built into creased dramatically. conditions. High readings under a frost the MEMS unit provide another tool for The warm weather experienced dur cap are not unusual in Canadian landfill monitoring greenhouse gas emissions ing studies may have contributed to sur sites. This is probably the result of an and helping to move us toward this am face emissions becoming more activated accumulation of methane gas in the soil bitious objective. To date, ATV emis as a result of ground surface warming. due to restrictive venting caused by the sion testing vehicles have proven their Weather conditions,including heat from frost cap. As the soil cools in the winter worth in various types of gas detection. the sun and barometric pressure, are es months there appears to be a drop in Greater productivity will offset the sential to understanding surface emis anaerobic activity in shallow sites but higher capital cost for mobile inspec sions from landfill sites and can indi not to the same extent in the deeper sites. tions over walking inspection. cate when to best schedule surface emis

Soil moisture content is a decisive fac

sion testing. Seasonal comparisons have found lower emissions during spring and fall projects when compared to similar projects conducted during warmer sum-

tor in the rate of anaerobic activity. Atmospheric greenhouse gases -

The PC Pump that Doesn't Devour Spare Parts

such as methane, carbon dioxide and

nitrous oxide- act like a greenhouse by

When interfaced with DGPS technol

ogy, additional time can be saved as computer based evaluations and gener ated reports can be produced quickly and professionally. Information generated will assist regulatory agencies in calcu lating volumetric or weight equivalent emissions from landfill sources as a

measure of success. Also, this informa

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Environmental Science & Engineering, June 2001


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