![Sample our Earth Sciences journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5930/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Earth-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Landfill gas (LFG) management is one of the most important tasks for landfill operation and closure because of its impact in potential global warming. The aim of this work is to present a case history evaluating an LFG capture and treatment system for the present landfill facility in Córdoba, Argentina. The results may be relevant for many developing countries around the world where landfill gas is not being properly managed. The LFG generation is evaluated by modeling gas production applying the zero-order model, Landfill Gas Emissions Model (LandGEM; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]), Scholl Canyon model, and triangular model. Variability in waste properties, weather, and landfill management conditions are analyzed in order to evaluate the feasibility of implementing different treatment systems. The results show the advantages of capturing and treating LFG in order to reduce the emissions of gases responsible for global warming and to determine the revenue rate needed for the project’s financial requirements. This particular project reduces by half the emission of equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) compared with the situation where there is no gas treatment. In addition, the study highlights the need for a change in the electricity prices if it is to be economically feasible to implement the project in the current Argentinean electrical market.
Implications: Methane has 21 times more greenhouse gas potential than carbon dioxide. Because of that, it is of great importance to adequately manage biogas emissions from landfills. In addition, it is environmentally convenient to use this product as an alternative energy source, since it prevents methane emissions while preventing fossil fuel consumption, minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. Performed analysis indicated that biogas capturing and energy generation implies 3 times less equivalent carbon dioxide emissions; however, a change in the Argentinean electrical market fees are required to guarantee the financial feasibility of the project.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the undergraduate students Joaquín González and Manuel Juarez for their help during this project. Finally, the authors thank the anonymus reviewers for comments that helped improve the quality of this paper.
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge the Municipalidad de la Ciudad de Córdoba, SECyT, CONICET, ANPCyT-Foncyt, the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Provincia de Córdoba, and ISEA-UNC.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Franco Matías Francisca
Franco Matías Francisca, Marcos Alexis Montoro and Daniel Alejandro Glatstein are professors at the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and researchers of the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Ingeniería y Tecnología (UNC–CONICET).
Marcos Alexis Montoro
Franco Matías Francisca, Marcos Alexis Montoro and Daniel Alejandro Glatstein are professors at the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and researchers of the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Ingeniería y Tecnología (UNC–CONICET).
Daniel Alejandro Glatstein
Franco Matías Francisca, Marcos Alexis Montoro and Daniel Alejandro Glatstein are professors at the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and researchers of the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Ingeniería y Tecnología (UNC–CONICET).