A Strategy for the Development of Landfill Gas Technology in India

Abstract

Landfilling is commonly being developed as a renewable source of energy through the systematic recovery and utilization of biogas generated during anaerobic de composition of municipal solid wastes. In India there is good scope for the de velopment of landfill gas technology as municipal solid waste contains a high proportion of degradable organic matter. Biogas generation from various sources is also seen as a key renewable energy source in the National Energy Policy. In the developed countries landfill gas (LFG) systems are established and a sizeable proportion of renewable energy is generated and utilized from landfills. Based on this experience, particularly in the U.K., a a strategic plan for the development of LFG technology in India is outlined. LFG technology involves: (i) estimation of ultimate yield and generation rates of LFG on the basis of waste composition; (ii) design of an LFG abstraction system appropriate to site conditions and landfilling practices; and (iii) cost-effective gas utilization schemes. In India, the labour-oriented solid waste management systems concentrate more on the collection and trans portation stages. Disposal is mostly limited to uncontrolled filling of low-lying areas. As the solid waste contains a good proportion of degradable organic matter, and there is a growing energy demand in every sector of economy, there is good scope for controlled LFG generation, recovery and utilization. For systematic development of LFG technology in India a comparison with the established approach adopted in the U.K. is presented. Against this backdrop a methodology for the development of LFG technology in India is outlined. This includes the investigations comprising solid waste characterization and estimation of LFG on a national basis, development of appropriate landfilling practices, gas recovery systems and utilization schemes, and an appropriate institutional frame work and data base. © 1997 ISWA

Keywords

Landfill gas utilization renewable energy India U.K.

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