Abstract
The optimization of degradation processes and the management of leachate and biogas produced in landfills are key aspects for the establishment of more sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in developing countries. In this study, biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests were used to evaluate CH4 production potential and degradation kinetics of fresh waste (FW) and five-year aged excavated waste (EW) samples from a tropical controlled landfill with compositional characteristics of developing countries. BMP tests with reconstituted samples of the biodegradable fraction of both MSW types were performed at three substrate/inoculum (S/I) ratios (0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 g VS substrate g− 1 VS inoculum), and CH4 generation parameters were determined using the first-order and modified Gompertz kinetic models. After 30-d, the best BMP results were reached at S/I ratios of 0.5 and 1.0, with cumulative CH4 productions of 528 and 433 mL CH4 g− 1 VS for FW, respectively; and 151 and 135 mL CH4 g− 1 VS for EW, respectively. The first-order kinetic model provided a good fit to BMP results for FW, whereas the modified Gompertz model showed a better adjustment to the BMP data for EW. Calculated first-order CH4 generation rates for FW and EW were in the range 0.19–0.36 and 0.23–0.25 d− 1, respectively. These results evidence the high biodegradability and CH4 potential of FW disposed of in a tropical landfill in Colombia and the reduced BMP of EW despite a relatively short period after disposal under conventional landfill operation conditions.
Highlights
About 80% of municipal solid waste (MSW) produced globally ends up in final disposal sites, it is estimated that only 20% of these are sanitary landfills [1]
The biochemical methane potential (BMP) of the fresh waste (FW) was relatively high in comparison to that reported for fresh MSW and even OFMSW
The BMP for excavated waste (EW) was nearly onequarter of that measured for FW but falls within the range reported for landfilled wastes of similar age and even older
Summary
About 80% of municipal solid waste (MSW) produced globally ends up in final disposal sites, it is estimated that only 20% of these are sanitary landfills [1]. In Colombia, by 2016, about 38% of landfills had less than 3 years lifespan and the estimated deficit in installed capacity for the final disposal of solid waste is 95.4 Mt by 2030 [4]. This is not a rare situation for other developing and emerging economies and is one of the reasons why, as countries improve economically, the construction and improvement of landfills are seen as a first step towards the establishment of more sustainable waste management systems [2]
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