Methane emission estimates using chamber and tracer release experiments for a municipal waste water treatment plant

• Main Authors: C. E. Yver Kwok, D. Müller, C. Caldow, B. Lebègue, J. G. Mønster, C. W. Rella, C. Scheutz, M. Schmidt, M. Ramonet, T. Warneke, G. Broquet, P. Ciais
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2015-07-01
• Series: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
• Online Access: http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/8/2853/2015/amt-8-2853-2015.pdf

This study presents two methods for estimating methane emissions from a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) along with results from a measurement campaign at a WWTP in Valence, France. These methods, chamber measurements and tracer release, rely on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cavity ring-down spectroscopy instruments. We show that the tracer release method is suitable for quantifying facility- and some process-scale emissions, while the chamber measurements provide insight into individual process emissions. Uncertainties for the two methods are described and discussed. Applying the methods to CH₄ emissions of the WWTP, we confirm that the open basins are not a major source of CH₄ on the WWTP (about 10 % of the total emissions), but that the pretreatment and sludge treatment are the main emitters. Overall, the waste water treatment plant is representative of an average French WWTP.