An innovative methodology for determining the energy potential of sanitary landfills in regions with seasonal waste generation

Abstract

Traditional methods use annual periodicity of municipal solid waste (MSW) sent to the landfill. These methods do not produce adequate results for landfills that receive MSW with seasonality during the months of the year. The present research proposes an innovative method to predict the electricity in seasonality circumstance. Xangri-Lá, Brazil was used as case study. The gravimetry and quantification of waste were analysed, the estimated annual and monthly methane (CH4) flows for the period 2022 to 2062 also. The landfill’s available power and installed power were estimated for three motorisation scenarios. Avoided carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions were estimated. The economic and financial viability of the proposed scenarios were analysed. The MSW has 76.70% of organic matter. MSW generated in January to December is three times higher compared from March to November. The most advantageous scenario was three generators, 600 kW, 800 kW, and 1,400 kW, able to generate 258.60 GWh. The CO2eq emissions were 1.63 million tons. The Net Present Value, Return Internal Rate, and Payback were US$1,601,169.50, 15.64%, and 14 years, respectively. It was concluded that the originality method provided satisfactory technical, economic, and environmental results for a region with seasonality in the reception of MSW.