Title

Determination of first-order landfill gas modeling parameters and uncertainties

Authors

Authors

H. R. Amini; D. R. Reinhart;K. R. Mackie

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Waste Manage.

Keywords

Landfill gas generation modeling; Methane generation potential; Methane; generation rate constant; MUNICIPAL SOLID-WASTE; METHANE GENERATION; EFFICIENCY; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Using first-order kinetic empirical models to estimate landfill gas (LFG) generation and collection rates is well recognized in the literature. The uncertainty in the estimated LFG generation rates is a major challenge in evaluating performance of LFG collection and LFG to energy facilities. In this investigation, four methods for quantifying first-order LFG generation model parameters, methane generation potential, L(0), and methane generation rate constant, k, were evaluated. It was found that the model is insensitive to the approach taken in quantifying the parameters. However, considering the recognition of using the model in the literature, the optimum method to estimate L(0) and k is to determine L(0) using disposed municipal solid waste composition and laboratory component specific methane potential values. The k value can be selected by model fitting and regression using the first-order model if LFG collection data are available. When such data are not available, k can be selected from technical literature, based on site conditions. For five Florida case-study landfills L(0) varied from 56 to 77 m(3) Mg(-1), and k varied from 0.04 to 0.13 yr(-1) for the traditional landfills and was 0.10 yr(-1) for the wet cell. Model predictions of LFG collection rates were on average lower than actual collection. The uncertainty (coefficient of variation) in modeled LFG generation rates varied from +/- 11% to +/- 17% while landfills were open, +/- 9% to +/- 18% at the end of waste placement, and +/- 16% to +/- 203% 50 years after waste placement ended. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Waste Management

Volume

32

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

305

Last Page

316

WOS Identifier

WOS:000298622200010

ISSN

0956-053X

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