Modelling greenhouse gas generation for landfill

Abstract

© 2018, UK Simulation Society. All rights reserved. Landfill has been widely used in many countries for the final disposal of solid waste material due to its economic advantages. Landfills emit mostly methane and carbon dioxide. In this work, the dynamic characteristics of greenhouse gases generated from the closed landfill system were studied. The chemical reaction processes involved are considered and a mathematical model is formulated and analyzed. The behaviors of the key greenhouse gases, namely, carbon dioxide and methane, are carefully studied. It was found that our proposed model is qualitatively in good agreement with the real world phenomena. The characteristics of greenhouse gases of interest namely carbon dioxide and methane were found to depend on the reaction rate in a complex manner. Since the system is closed, each gas species becomes a constraint to one another. We can utilize these findings to control the landfill system and to take benefit from the useful products. Moreover, it suggests that methane and carbon dioxide could be used for electricity generation which helps reduce greenhouse gases in atmosphere.