Evaluation of the Biogas Generation Potential of the “San Miguel De Los Junos” Sanitary Landfill in the City of Santa Cruz De La Sierra (Bolivia)

Abstract

The sanitary burial of the organic matter fraction of urban solid waste in a sanitary landfill generates biogas, whose main components include Methane (CH4), which is a gas with a high calorific value and therefore can be used as an alternative renewable energy source. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the potential for biogas generation that can be used as CH4. To evaluate theoretically, there are different mathematical methods, among then the FOD model of the IPCC (2006). This model was applied to the case of the San Miguel de los Junos landfill in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), with a projection of 30 years of its useful life and another 16 years after its closure operations. The model was fed with a methane generation index (k) equal to 0.15 and a methane generation potential (L0) equal to 86,1 m3/T; both parameters calculated for the specific case studied. The results obtained by the model in the sum of the 46 years projected with and amount of 32,414,881 T buried, stablish a total volume of 2,934,048,516 m3 of Methane. This volume allows envisioning a technical, economic and environmental feasibility, for its possible energy use. This paper was presented at the XXXVIIII AIDIS Congress in the Dominican Republic in 2.022.