Effect of quantity and composition of waste on the prediction of annual methane potential from landfills

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of waste composition change on the methane production in landfills. An empirical equation for the methane potential of the mixed waste is derived based on the methane potential values of individual waste components and the compositional ratio of waste components. A correction factor was introduced in the equation and was determined from the BMP and lysimeter tests. The equation and LandGEM were applied for a full size landfill and the annual methane potential was estimated. Results showed that the changes in quantity of waste affected the annual methane potential from the landfill more than the changes of waste composition.

► We investigated the L0 of waste components & wastes through laboratory experiments.
► Empirical equation was suggested to predict the L0 of individual wastes landfilled.
► Our empirical equation may provide the many available data of L0 of diverse wastes.
► AMP was more influenced by changes in quantity of wastes than composition changes.