摘要
Measuring greenhouse gas emissions at biological waste treatment facilities, especially methane (CH4), represents an important precondition for reliably assessing the relevance of these emissions, and for justifying measures to avoid their release. In the context of recording emitted methane loads, sites characterized by large quantities of diffuse emissions are highly problematic, as to date it has been extremely difficult from a technical perspective to measure them with an acceptable degree of accuracy. A micrometeorological method in combination with an optical remote sensing system (open-path Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy—OP-TDLS) is currently being used to address emission-relevant questions concerning landfills and other waste management sites (biogas plants, composting areas at mechanical-biological waste treatment facilities, composting facilities, etc.) at the Institute of Waste Management (Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences). The potential offered by this method for measuring emissions at composting and anaerobic digestion facilities is illustrated on the basis of two case studies. The method allows large areas to be quickly scanned without affecting gas flows on the surface/at the outlet. The results indicate that the amount of CH4 released by biogas plants and composting facilities fluctuates considerably in the course of a day. Given the comparatively long measurement periods, it was possible to interpret the emissions from both operational and meteorological perspectives. In comparison with conventional, small-scale measurement methods (e.g. chamber measurements), the optical remote sensing system allowed diffuse and temporary emission sources to be more easily recorded, and over a longer period of time.