Use of Landfill Gas in Gas Turbine and Gas Piston Installations: Energy and Economic Assessments

The growth of modern megacities is accompanied by a significant increase in the annually generated volumes of municipal solid waste. The main method of their disposal in Russia at present is the removal of waste to landfills. Uncontrolled emission of biogas generated in the body of the landfill as a result of anaerobic fermentation of biomass leads to the release of a number of gaseous components into the environment, including toxic ones, as well as spontaneous combustion of landfills. In addition, biogas should be considered as a valuable energy product, the use of which can play a significant role in local energy. This paper presents the results of a feasibility study of the landfill gas power plants operation. We have made the calculation of annual methane emissions at the Yadrovo test site. The text provides a comparison of gas turbine and gas reciprocating units when working on gas fuel with low methane content. The paper considers two potential solutions to the problem using traditional power plants. The work describes the principle of operation of such power plants, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. In order to assess the economic efficiency, the present value of electric energy is calculated. Data are obtained on the cost of kWh at various power generating units, as well as the cost of installed kW of power of the power plant. The energy potential of the Yadrovo landfill is estimated at 365 MWh per year, in turn, the average Moscow resident consumes 250–300 kWh per month, that is, such a power station can provide 100 people with the necessary electricity per month. The paper discusses the experience of using landfill gas power plants abroad. The conclusion contains recommendations, as well as the main problems of using landfill gas, the advantages and disadvantages of power plants with gas piston and microgas turbine power units. Information is also provided on the release of landfill gas at landfills located in different geographical locations: Moscow, Vladivostok, Kamphaeng Saen (Province in Thailand). Thanks to these data, there is a clear correlation between the climate zone and the population of the nearest settlement with the release of biogas. The specific parameter of biogas output, that is, the amount of landfill gas received from one square meter of the landfill, is taken as the main parameter for estimating the yield of landfill gas.

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