TITLE:
Biogas Estimation as a Basis for the Implementation of an Intermunicipal Landfill: Michoacan, Mexico
AUTHORS:
Iván Vera-Romero, José Martínez Reyes, Claudio C. Espíritu-Barragán, Melitón Estrada-Jaramillo, Agustina Ortiz-Soriano, Lenin E. Medina-Orozco
KEYWORDS:
Municipal Street Lighting, Alternative Energy, Public Health
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.5 No.7,
May
28,
2014
ABSTRACT: Municipal
solid waste (MSW) generated in the municipalities of Sahuayo, Jiquilpan and
Venustiano Carranza in Michoacan, is deposited in open dumps becoming hot spots
for health and the environment. The total population in the three
municipalities is 130,497 habitants, with a per capita waste production
estimated in 0.718 kg·hab-1·day-1 (34,203 t·yr-1).
The aim of this study was to estimate the formation of biogas for power
generation from the decomposition of waste. The model used was the mexican
model of biogas (version 2.0), assuming a useful life of 21 years of the
landfill at a cost of 0.19 USD per kWh, the average CFE rate for municipal
public lighting. Four possible scenarios were evaluated: one optimal recovering
68% of the biogas (10,095 tonnes of methane in 20 years), having a savings
concept in electricity of 8,015,252 USD; in the second case (optimistic
intermediate), it is assumed that it obtains 61% of biogas (9046 tonnes of
methane) with benefits in power generation for 7,159,679 USD; the third case
(pessimistic intermediate) estimating 48% of biogas recovered, being captured 7118
tonnes of methane with profits of 5,633,846 USD into electrical energy, the
latter case (pessimistic), assuming 40% of biogas recovered, transforming 4672
tonnes of methane resultant in an economic benefit of 3,697,324 USD for
electricity generation. The results justify the investment of the landfill and
it is a measure to mitigate climate change and disease prevention.