Modelling the Potential Biogas Productivity Range from a MSW Landfill for Its Sustainable Exploitation

Abstract

Abstract:A model of biogas generation was modified and applied to the case of a sanitary landfill in Italy. The modifications considered the role of the temperature field normally established within each layer of waste. It must be pointed out the temperature affects the anaerobic biodegradation kinetics. In order to assess the effect of moisture on the waste biodegradation rate, on the bacteria process and then on the methane production, the model was compared with the LandGEM one. Information on the initial water content came from data concerning waste composition. No additional information about the hydrological balance was available. Thus, nine sets of kinetic constants, derived by literature, were adopted for the simulations. Results showed a significant variability of the maximal hourly biogas flows on a yearly basis, with consequences for the collectable amount during the operating period of a hypothetical engine. The approach is a useful tool to assess the lowest and highest biogas productivity in order to analyze the viability of biogas exploitation for energy purposes. This is useful also in countries that must plan for biogas exploitation from old and new landfills, as a consequence of developments in the waste sector.

Compositional and physicochemical changes in waste materials and biogas production across 7 landfill sites in UK

“…The quantity of landfill gas along with its methane content is influenced by several factors, which include among others the types and age of the waste buried in the landfill, the quantity and types of organic compounds in the waste, and the moisture content and temperature of the waste (Emkes et al, 2015). Methane is highly combustible, and as a result can be exploited as a source of renewable energy (Rada et al, 2015). In the UK, the utilisation of landfill gas for energy has been particularly successful (Brown and Maunder, 1994;Emkes et al, 2015).…”

Landfill Impacts on the Environment—Review

“…One of the products of biological processes occurring in MSW landfills is biogas or landfill gas (LFG) [35]. Biogas is a product of the decomposition of biologically decomposable organic matter [36]. The rate of biogas production and its composition change during the landfill lifetime.…”

Untitled

“…Metan adalah salah satu dari gas rumah kaca yang terbesar kedua (Kyoto Protocol) setelah karbondioksida yang potensi pemanasan globalnya 28 kali lebih besar. Pemanfaatan LFG untuk keperluan energi mengharuskan udara harus bebas dari inhibitor seperti sulfat, karbondioksida, amonium, natrium, kalium, kalsium, magnesium dan beberapa senyawa organik di TPA [5]. Efisiensi pengumpulan LFG berkisar antara 20% hingga 90%, tergantung pada tipe penutup, pengumpul lindi, dan densitas [6].…”