It also improves nutrient transport and contact between microrganisms and biodegradable materials. Research done at the Environmental Microbiology Center shows that co-disposal of municipal sewage sludge with MSW results in marked improvements of gas production and MSW breakdown. Co-disposal in laboratory simulators resulted in a tenfold increase in gas production. Research indicates that recycled leachates are an effective means of maintaining high moisture content and generating more methane. This is done by collecting the leachate at the bottom of the landfill and sprinkling it back on top.
Recycling also produces cleaner leachate, which is cheaper to treat and dispose of.
The study will use about 30 landfill simulators of varying sizes and vertical pipe reactors. The reactors will be operated under varying nutrient and moisture conditions to simulate current landfilling techniques and to determine the effects of sludge addition and leachate recycle. Chromatographic analysis of the gas will track the quality of the methane produced. Landfill gas is a medium BTU fuel, as opposed to household quality gas, which has a higher BTU rating. The methane will be monitored for quantity as well.