Determination of first-order landfill gas modeling parameters and uncertainties

    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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