Methane emissions and energy generation potential from a municipal solid waste landfill based on inventory models: A case study

Abstract

AbstractMunicipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the third largest source of anthropogenic methane (CH4) emission. Evaluating the CH4 emission and energy generation potential of MSW landfills facilitates the development of appropriate measures for mitigation and recovery of CH4. This study evaluated the CH4 generation, CH4 emissions and potential energy generation capacity of Jiangcungou MSW landfill, Xi'an, China, during its operation and closure period using three inventory models, including the IPCC default method (DM), IPCC first‐order decay (FOD), and US EPA Landfill Gas Emissions Mode (LandGEM). Based on the DM, FOD and LandGEM models, the total estimated CH4 emissions in 1994–2060 were 755.0, 348.9, and 344.9 Gg, respectively. There is a huge potential for electricity generation after the closure of the landfill, and the potential energy generation for 2020 was 688.3 MkW h and 599.7 MkW h. However, the actual electricity generation ranged from 12.4% to 74.1% and 14.2% to 61.8% of the potential electricity generation during the operation period (2004–2017) for the FOD and LandGEM methods, respectively. Improving the efficiency associated with LFG collection and gas engine from the landfill after closure can be an effective measure to mitigate greenhouse effects and increase investment payments.