Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is generated via the anaerobic decomposition of solid waste in landfills. Collecting the methane for use as a gaseous fuel rather than allowing it to be released to the atmosphere provides an alternative to natural gas as an energy source and has a beneficial effect on the environment.

If a batch of waste with mass M(tonnes) [1 tonne or 1 metric ton = 1000 kg] is deposited in a landfill at t=0, the rate of generation of methane at a later time t is given by the following equation

V CH4 (t) = kL o M waste e –kt

Where:

V CH4 (SCM CH 4 /y) = methane generation rate [SCM = m 3 (STP)]

K = rate constant (y -1 ), a measure of how fast the waste decomposes

L o = landfill gas yield potential [SCM CH 4 /tonne waste]

M waste = tonnes of waste deposited at t= 0

a. Explain in your own words the benefits of reducing the release of methane from landfills and using the methane as a fuel instead of natural gas.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a Methane can be caught from landfills it can be used to deliver power warm structures or power dump trucks Catching methane before it gets into the e... View the full answer