Heat Generation in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate thermal aspects of municipal solid waste landfills as a function of operational conditions and climatic region. Spatial and temporal distributions of waste temperatures were determined at four landfills located in North America (Michigan, New Mexico, Alaska, and British Columbia). Temperatures of wastes at shallow depths (extending to 6 to 8 m depth) and near the edges of a cell (within approximately 20 m) conformed to seasonal temperature variations, whereas steady elevated temperatures (23 to 57°C) with respect to air and ground temperatures were reached at depth and at central locations. Waste temperatures decreased from the elevated levels near the base of landfills, yet remained higher than ground temperatures. Thermal gradients in the range of approximately −30 to +22°C∕m with average absolute values typically less than 5°C∕m were measured within the wastes. Heat content (HC) of wastes was determined as the difference between measured waste mass temperatures a...