PROPOSITION OF BIOGAS TREATMENT AND USE SYSTEMS FROM SANITARY LANDFILLS

Abstract

Currently, Brazil is progressively using the landfill as a treatment method for urban solid waste generated by the population. However, the landfill produces two by-products, leachate, and biogas. Biogas is a gas composed of carbon dioxide and methane which can be used to replace fossil fuels. For this, it is necessary to capture it from the landfill and treat it, (i.e., it is necessary to increase the percentage of methane in its composition).

The present work displays an analysis of the properties commonly found in the biogas captured and which components must be removed from the compost according to the biogas energy use. With the data, it is possible to determine the treatment plant required for the compost and its economic potential (resulting from the quantification of the thermal power of the raw biogas relating to the treated biogas), enabling the measurement of the best scenario for the sale of the treated biogas. For this purpose, the calorific value of 1m³ of crude biogas with 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide and 1m³ of treated biogas, with 98% methane and 2% carbon dioxide was considered, a composition that can be even used to replace natural gas. As a result, the amount spent on the treatment of biogas should not exceed the value acquired with the sale of the difference between thermal powers, quantified at 19,080 kW.