Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Alternative carbon dioxide modelling approaches accounting for high residual gases in LandGEM

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

High Canadian waste disposal rates necessitate landfill gas monitoring and accurate forecasting. CO2 estimates in LandGEM version 3.02 currently rest on the assumptions that CO2 is a function of CH4, where the two gases make up nearly 100% of landfill gas content, leading to overestimated CO2 collection estimates. A total of 25 cases (five formulas, five approaches) compared annual CO2 collection at four western Canadian landfills. Despite common use in literature, the 1:1 ratio of CH4 to CO2 was not recommended to forecast landfill gas collection in cold climates. The existing modelling approach significantly overestimated CO2 production in three of four sites, resulting in the highest residual sum of squares. Optimization resulted in the most accurate results for all formulas and approaches, which had the greatest reduction in residual sums of squares (RSS) over the default approach (60.1 to 97.7%). The 1.4 Ratio approach for L o:L o-CO2 yielded the second most accurate results for CO2 flow (mean RSS reduction of 50.2% for all sites and subsection models). The annual k-modified LandGEM calculated k’s via two empirical formulas (based on precipitation) and yielded the lowest accuracy in 12 of 20 approaches. Unlike other studies, strong relationships between optimized annual k’s and precipitation were not observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abushammala MFM, Basri NEA, Basri H, Kadhum AAH, El-Shafie AH (2012) Methane and carbon dioxide emissions from Sungai Sedu open dumping during wet season in Malaysia. Ecol Eng 49:254–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aguilar-Virgen Q, Taboada-Gonzalez P, Ojeda-Benitez S, Cruz-Sotelo S (2014) Power generation with biogas from municipal solid waste: prediction of gas generation with in situ parameters. Renew Sust Energ Rev 30:412–419. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2013.10.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed SI, Johari A, Hashim H, Lim JS, Jusoh M, Mat R, Alkali H (2015) Economic and environmental evaluation of landfill gas utilisation: a multi-period optimisation approach for low carbon regimes. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 102:191–201. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.04.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander A, Burklin C, Singleton A (2005) Landfill gas emissions model (LandGEM) version 3.02 user’s guide. EPA-600/R-05/047. U.S. EPA, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amini HR, Reinhart DR, Mackie KR (2012) Determination of first-order landfill gas modelling parameters and uncertainties. Waste Manag 32:305–316. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.09.021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amini HR, Reinhart DR, Niskanen A (2013) Comparison of first-order-decay modeled and actual field measured municipal solid waste landfill methane data. Waste Manag 33:2720–2728. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2013.07.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barlaz MA, Ham RK, Schaefer DM (1989a) Mass-balance analysis of anaerobically decomposed refuse. J Environ Eng 115(6):1088–1102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barlaz MA, Schaefer DM, Ham RK (1989b) Bacterial population development and chemical characteristics of refuse decomposition in a simulated sanitary landfill. Appl Environ Microbiol 55(1):55–65

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barlaz MA, Chanton JP, Green RB (2009) Controls on landfill gas collection efficiency: instantaneous and lifetime performance. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 59:1399–1404. doi:10.3155/1047-3289.59.12.1399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruce N, Wang Y, Ng KTW (2015) A province-wide comparison of non-hazardous waste generation and recycling rates. In: Proceedings, 2015 CSCE annual conference, Regina, Canada, May 27–30. Organized by Canadian Society for Civil Engineering

  • Bruce N, Asha AZ, Ng KTW (2016) Analysis of solid waste management systems in Alberta and British Columbia using provincial comparison. Can J Civ Eng 43:351–360. doi:10.1139/cjce-2015-0414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calabro PS, Orsi S, Gentili E, Carlo M (2011) Modelling of biogas extraction at an Italian landfill accepting mechanically and biologically treated municipal solid waste. Waste Manag Res 29(12):1277–1285. doi:10.1177/0734242X11417487

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canart C, McMartin D (2009) Solid waste audit of Regina Fleet Street Landfill. University of Regina, Regina

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalvatzaki E, Lazaridis M (2010) Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from landfills: application to the Akrotiri landfill site (Chania, Greece). Global NEST Journal 12(1):108–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Comcor Environmental Ltd. (2010) Design basis memorandum: landfill gas collection system and compressor/flare station project. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

  • Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (2006) Site plan and LFG collection system layout. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

  • Environment Canada (2014) National Inventory Report 1990–2012: greenhouse gas sources and sinks in Canada. Environment Canada, Gatineau

    Google Scholar 

  • Fillipone MA, Robins C, Wilson K, Tradewell K, Lacey D (2012) Hartland landfill environmental program: 2011–12 annual report. Capital Regional District. Victoria, B.C., Canada

  • Garg A, Achari G, Joshi RC (2006) A model to estimate the methane generation rate constant in sanitary landfills using fuzzy synthetic evaluation. Waste Management and Research 24:363–375. doi:10.1177/0734242X06065189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gevantman LH (n.d.) Solubility of selected gases in water. Retrieved September 1, 2016 from http://sites.chem.colostate.edu/diverdi/all_courses/CRC%20reference%20data/solubility%20of%20gases%20in%20water.pdf

  • Golder Associates (2015) 2014 Annual report: Cache Creek landfill. Submitted to Wastech Services Ltd. Cache Creek, B.C., Canada

  • Goswami S, Maheshwari M, Nema AK (2011) Mineral sequestration of CO2 generated in landfills. Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on environmental management, engineering, planning, and economics & SECOTOX conference, June 19–24, Skiathos, Greece. 721–730

  • Guter KJ, Nuerenberg RL (1987) Landfill gas recovery in Michigan. Waste Management and Research 5:465–472

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hettiarachchi H, Hettiaratchi JPA, Hunte CA, Meegoda JN (2013) Operation of a landfill bioreactor in a cold climate: early results and lessons learned. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste 17:307–316. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (1996) IPCC Good practice guidance and uncertainty management in national greenhouse gas inventories. Available at: http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gp/english/5_Waste.pdf. Accessed 5 Apr 2016

  • Jeong S, Nam A, Yi S-M, Kim JY (2015) Field assessment of semi-aerobic condition and the methane correction factor for the semi-aerobic landfills provided by IPCC guidelines. Waste Manag 36:197–203. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2014.10.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karanjekar RV, Bhatt A, Altouqui S, Jangikhatoonabad DV, Sattler ML, Chen V (2015) Estimating methane emissions from landfills based on rainfall, ambient temperature, and waste composition: the CLEEN model. Waste Manag 46:389–398. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2015.07.030

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Sharma MP (2014) Estimation of GHG emission and energy recovery potential from MSW landfill sites. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 5:50–61. doi:10.1016/j.seta.2013.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee C-E, Hwang C-H (2007) An experimental study on the flame stability of LFG and LFG-mixed fuels. Fuel 86:649–655. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2006.08.033

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Machado SL, Carvalho MF, Gourc J-P, Vilar OM, do Nascimento JCF (2009) Methane generation in tropical landfills: Simplified methods and field results. Waste Manag 29(1):153–161. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2008.02.017

  • Maciel FJ, Juca JFT (2011) Evaluation of landfill gas production and emissions in a MSW large-scale experimental cell in Brazil. Waste Manag 31:966–977. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.01.030

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marroni V, Dall’Ara A, Ferri F, Lanzarini S (2010) Innovative remediation and monitoring system inside an area used for paper sludge recovery. Environmental Quality 5:43–52. doi:10.6092/issn.2281-4485/3803

    Google Scholar 

  • McDougall JR, Pyrah IC (1999). Moisture effects in a biodegradation model for waste refuse. In: As presented at the 1999 Sardinia conference in Italy. Civic Engineering, Napier University

  • Myhre G, Shindell D, Bréon F-M, Collins W, Fuglestvedt J, Huang J, Koch D, Lamarque J-F, Lee D, Mendoza B, Nakajima T, Robock A, Stephens G, Takemura T, Zhang H (2013) Anthropogenic and natural radiative forcing. In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Stocker, T.F., Qin, D., Plattner, G.-K., Tignor, M., Allen, S.K., Boschung, J., Nauels, A., Xia, Y., Bex, V., and Midgley, P.M. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA

  • Rezaee R, Nasseri S, Mahvi AH, Jafari A, Mazloomi S, Gavami A, Yaghmaeian K (2014) Estimation of gas emission released from a municipal solid waste landfill site through a modelling approach: a case study, Sanandaj, Iran. Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research 2(1):13–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter A, Bruce N, Ng KTW, Chowdhury A, Vu HL (2017) Comparison between Canadian and Nov a Scotian waste management and diversion models – A Canadian Case Study. Sustainable Cities and Society 30:139–149. doi:10.1016/j.scs.2017.01.013

  • Sadek S, Ghanimeh S, El-Fadel M (2007) Predicted performance of clay-barrier landfill covers in arid and semi-arid environments. Waste Manag 27:275–583. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2006.06.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saquing JM, Chanton JP, Yazdani R, Barlaz MA, Scheutz C, Blake DR, Imhoff PT (2014) Assessing methods to estimate emissions of non-methane organic compounds from landfills. Waste Manag 34:2260–2270. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2014.07.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spokas K, Bogner J, Chanton J, Morcet M, Aran C, Graff C, Moreau-le-Golvan Y, Bureau N, Hebe I (2006) Methane mass balance at three landfill sites: what is the efficiency of capture by gas collection systems? Waste Manag 26:516–525. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2005.07.021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tchobanoglous G, Kreith F (2002) Handbook of solid waste management, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, p 14.14

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson S, Tanapat S (2005) Modelling waste management options for greenhouse gas reduction. Journal of Environmental Informatics 6(1):16–24. doi:10.3808/jei.200500051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson S, Sawyer J, Bonam R, Valdivia JE (2009) Building a better methane generation model: validating models with methane recovery rates from 35 Canadian landfills. Waste Manag 29:2085–2091. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2009.02.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolaymat TM, Green RB, Hater GR, Barlaz MA, Black P, Bronson D, Powell J (2010) Evaluation of landfill gas decay constant for municipal solid waste landfills operated as bioreactors. Journal of Air and Waste Management Association 60(1):91–97. doi:10.3155/1047-3289.60.1.91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Ng KTW, Asha A (2016) Non-hazardous waste generation characteristics and recycling practices in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 18(4):715–724. doi:10.1007/s10163-015-0373-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank Group (2016) Population density (people per sq. km of land area). Retrieved September 16, 2016, from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?name_desc=false

  • Worrell WA, Vesilind PA (2012) Solid waste engineering: SI edition, 2nd edn. Cengage Learning, Stamford, p 316

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research reported in this paper was supported by a grant (RGPIN-385815) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The authors are grateful for their support. Special acknowledgment goes to the cities’ landfill teams, who supported the data collection. The views expressed herein are those of the writers and not necessarily those of our research and funding partners.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Nathan Bruce, Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng & Amy Richter

Authors
  1. Nathan Bruce
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amy Richter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Marcus Schulz

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bruce, N., Ng, K.T.W. & Richter, A. Alternative carbon dioxide modelling approaches accounting for high residual gases in LandGEM. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 14322–14336 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8990-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8990-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation