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.
Highlights
IntroductionBiological processes under anaerobic conditions drive the production of biogas, namely, a gaseous mixture composed almost entirely of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) [12,13,14]
The high management cost for the treatment of wet waste and the increasing need for reducing the quantity of organic fraction in landfills have increased interest in waste management in Europe
In the light of the importance of a correct determination of moisture, the aim of this study is to focus on the problems related to the modelling of biogas generation when insufficient information about the water content and the hydrological balance of a landfill is available
Summary
Biological processes under anaerobic conditions drive the production of biogas, namely, a gaseous mixture composed almost entirely of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) [12,13,14]. The organic carbon is the common element between biodegradable materials that allows the development of methane production. On the basis of the average composition of municipal waste and previous experimental studies [19], some considerations can be expressed: organic carbon is about 50% of organic matter (on dry basis) and the organic carbon potentially leading to biogas formation is about 50% of the total organic carbon. Pre-treatments of the organic waste decrease the biogas potential: bio-drying and bio-stabilization perform a mineralization of the organic matter, whose carbon content is converted to CO2 by aerobic bacteria [20,21]
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