A model to estimate the methane generation rate constant in sanitary landfills using fuzzy synthetic evaluation

Abstract

This paper presents a model using fuzzy synthetic evaluation to estimate the methane generation rate constant, k, for landfills. Four major parameters, precipitation, temperature, waste composition and landfill depth were used as inputs to the model. Whereas, these parameters are known to impact the methane generation, mathematical relationships between them and the methane generation rate constant required to estimate methane generation in landfills, are not known. In addition, the spatial variations of k within a landfill combined with the necessity of site-specific information to estimate its value, makes k one of the most elusive parameters in the accurate prediction of methane generation within a landfill. In this paper, a fuzzy technique was used to develop a model to predict the methane generation rate constant. The model was calibrated and verified using k values from 42 locations. Data from 10 sites were used to calibrate the model and the rest were used to verify it. The model predictions are reasonably accurate. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to investigate the effect of uncertainty in the input parameters on the generation rate constant.

A Comprehensive Numerical Model Simulating Gas, Heat, and Moisture Transport in Sanitary Landfills and Methane Oxidation in Final Covers

“…The biodegradable fraction of waste was estimated to be about 69% based on data provided in Perera [33]. Based on the data and meteorological information of Perera [33] pertaining to Calgary, a methane generation rate constant value of 0.011 year −1 was calculated [18], which is in line with a value of 0.01 year −1 used by CH2MHILL [6] for a study of a City of Calgary landfill.…”

“…To determine the biodegradation rate constant, k, the methodology proposed in Garg et al [18] was used. The biodegradable fraction of waste was estimated to be about 69% based on data provided in Perera [33].…”

The potential of a sustainable municipal waste management system for Santiago de Chile, including energy production from waste

“…[37]. Because of the lack of measurements taken at landfills in MRS, the method of [38] was used to calculate the landfill gas generation rate, resulting in a value for k of 0.022 year −1 , which means a half-life of about 33 years (for the calculation, see also [39]). For T, a value of 39°C was used.…”

Emisiones Gaseosas De Un Relleno Sanitario en México. Comparación Con Los Modelos De Generación De Biogás

“…Si este metano es liberado a la atmósfera, contribuye al calentamiento global 21-23 veces más que el dióxido de carbono (Garg et al 2006, Batool y Chuadhry 2008. La reacción biológica principal ocurrida en los vertederos es la digestión anaeróbica, la cual se produce en tres etapas.…”