Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management,

5 - 7 September 2007, Chennai, India. pp.370-376

Feasibility of Landfill Gas Utilization for Power Generation: A Case

Study in Thailand
Chart Chiemchaisri, Kiatkrai Ayuwat and Pimolrat Putthamilinprateep

Energy and Environmental Engineering Center, Bangkhen Campus,

Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

ABSTRACT

An evaluation of landfill gas generation and recovery potential of a solid waste disposal site in
Nonthaburi province, Thailand was carried out. The disposal site is receiving approximately
843 tons/day of solid wastes in the province. The main composition of waste at disposal area is
food wastes at about 41.5% by weight with average moisture content of 59.5%. The amount of
landfill gas available for power generation can be predicted by using LANDGEM model. It
was found that maximum collected landfill gas is 8.59x106 m3 per year and declined to
6.57x106 m3 per year in 15 years. The supplied landfill gas to the power plant can generate
1.07 MW of electricity by using 2 set of 100 kW and 435 kW engines. The produced electricity
is surplus to the requirement of in-plant consumption and it can be sold to the grid. An
investigation in landfill gas to energy project at Nonthaburi province is financial feasible for
private investor with financial internal rate of return of 21.36% or more.

Keywords: Landfill gas, gas utilization, energy recovery, landfill gas-to-energy

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Solid waste pollution in Nonthaburi province is becoming a main concern as the expansion of
Bangkok Metropolitan to its nearby suburb area has risen tremendously over the past years. The
population in the whole province is expected to increase from 1.02 million in 2007 to 1.44 million
2022 with an increasing rate of 2.78% per year (Kasetsart University, 2002). The quantity of solid
waste generated in the area is gradually increasing and reached about 843 tons per day at present. In
the past, the collected solid wastes were disposed by open dumping method at a solid waste disposal
site located in Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi province. The solid waste disposal operation at the site is
the responsibility of Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO). Nonthaburi dumpsite
is one of the largest dumpsite in Thailand (USAID-ASIA, 2004). Rapid exhaustion of the available
disposal space is creating a crisis in solid waste management. Moreover, the PAO also received many
complaints from the nearby residences over the environmental impacts arising from their operation
especially leachate and odor problems. This calls for improvement of the solid waste disposal practice
at the site. In 2002, Nonthaburi PAO has awarded a contract to Energy and Environmental
Engineering Center, Kasetsart University to carry out the project on feasibility study and detailed
design of integrated solid waste disposal center in attempt to improve their solid waste disposal
operation to a sanitary method.

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According to the study, an integrated solid waste disposal center including solid waste separation
plant, biogas and composting plant and sanitary landfill was proposed. The improvement was
expected to be implemented in stages. At the initial stage, the upgrading of existing dumpsite to
sanitary landfill was proposed. This will help eliminating potential contaminate sources, cost
reduction in post closure monitoring and redevelopment of new sanitary landfill sites (Hogland et al.,
2004, CES, 2004). The upgrading activities started in 2003 and completed in 2006. As the waste
accumulation at the site is estimated to be more than 1 million tons, the site is expected to emit
significant amount of landfill gas which can be collected and utilized as energy source. The landfill
gas to energy project is also eligible to apply as clean development mechanism (CDM) project
(Wiwattanadate, 2007).

The objectives of this research were to determine of the quantity of landfill gas and propose an
appropriate landfill gas to energy system. Cost benefit analysis of the system was also carried out.

2.0 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE STUDY AREA

Nonthaburi province is located at the western direction of Bangkok Metropolitan (capital city of
Thailand). The province is one of the cities in Metropolitan suburb area covering 5 provinces of
Bangkok vicinity (Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Nakhonprathom, Samutprakarn and Samutsakorn
provinces). It covers total area of 622.30 km2 with a population of 886,698 persons and 370,809
households in 2007. Nonthaburi PAO is the local authority administrative organization at the
provincial level in which the administration is also sub-divided into 6 districts, i.e. Muang, Pakkred,
Bangbuathong, Banggruay, Bangyai, and Sainoi districts. Each district is responsible for collecting the
solid wastes in their area and transported them to the disposal site (Figure 1) which is operated by
Nonthaburi PAO.

Figure 1 Schematic of Nonthaburi Solid Waste Disposal Site

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 Feasibility of Landfill Gas Utilization for Power Generation: A Case Study in Thailand

Nonthaburi solid waste disposal site is located at Moo 8, Klong Kwang sub-district, Sai Noi district.
The site operation began in 1982 stretched over an area of 68 rai (108,800 m2) and receives
approximately 843 tons of solid wastes from all districts in the province.

3.0 SOLID WASTE COMPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS

Solid waste composition and characterization study was conducted using grab sampling technique.
Table 1 shows the physical composition of solid wastes sampled from the disposal area. It was found
that food garbage was the major component in solid wastes (41.46%) followed by plastic (24.88%)
and paper (16.58%) respectively. Average density of solid wastes was 390 kg/m3. In Table 2, the
chemical characteristics of solid wastes are present. Solid wastes had high moisture content of 59.54%
and volatile solids of 29.55%. The elemental analyses gave carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P),
and potassium (K) content of 16.42, 1.66, 0.42, and 0.57 respectively. C/N ratio of wastes was found
to be about 15 slightly lower than an optimum range for composting process at 20-40 (Polprasert,
1996)
Table 1. Percentage of Physical Composition of Solid Wastes
Composition Percent by weight
Food garbage 41.46
Paper 16.58
Plastic 24.88
Rubber -
Leather -
Cloth 1.32
Wood 13.28
Glass 0.82
Metal 1.66
Rock/Ceramic -
Hazardous waste -
Density (kg/m3) 390

Table 2. Chemical Characteristics of Solid Wastes

Items Percent by weight
Moisture Content 59.54
Total Solids 40.46
Volatile Solids 29.55
Ash Content 10.91
Heat value of DSCV (kcal/kg) 4,917
Heat value of LSCV (kcal/kg) 1,446
Carbon Content 16.42
Nitrogen Content 1.66
Phosphorus Content 0.42
Potassium Content 0.57

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Note: 1) Moisture content, total solids, volatile solids and ash content are expressed as
percentage of total (wet) weight. Others are expressed as percentage of dry weight
2) DSCV: Dry solid calorific value, LSCV: Lower solid calorific value

4.0 ESTIMATION OF LANDFILL GAS PRODUCTION

There are various methods that can be used to estimate methane generation from landfill. However,
Landfill Air Emission Estimation Model (USEPA, 1998) is probably the most widely used one. The
model is based on First Order Decay reaction, and this approach is also consistent with more complex
methodology (rather than the default methodology) recommended by Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) for calculating methane emissions from landfills (IPCC, 1996). According to
the model, the estimation of methane production by using Landfill Gas Emissions Model
(LANDGEM) is based on the following equation.

Q = Lo R (e-kc - e-kt) (1)

where Q = Methane generated in current year (m3/year)
Lo = Methane generation potential (m3/Mg of refuse)
k = Methane generation rate constant (1/year)
e = Time since/to landfill closure (year)
t = Time since landfill opened (year)

Input data for the model was acquired from the relevant information available for the studied landfill.
Further calculation was performed to convert the methane generation rate into a LFG generation rate.
The projected LFG generation rate was calculated based on LFG composition of 50% methane and
50% carbon dioxide. An additional calculation was performed to estimate the quantity of LFG that
could be potentially recovered from the landfill.

Basic information used in the calculation of landfill gas are described as follows.
ƒ Landfill Area = 36 rais (or 14.23 acre)
ƒ Year of site opened = 2003
ƒ Year the solid waste deposit started = 2003
ƒ Year of site closure or planned to close = 2006
ƒ Based year for the calculation = 2002
ƒ Average annual solid waste acceptance rate (t/yr) = 300,000 tons/year
ƒ Current solid waste in place (tons) = 1,200,000 tons

In the model, the input parameters for a landfill include the years the landfill was opened and closed
and the rate of solid waste acceptance per year. It also require other parameters necessary to estimate
gas emission including user specified or default values for methane generation rate constant (k) and
methane generation potential (Lo), and concentrations of selected air pollutants. They are described in
detailed as follows.

4.1 Waste Quantity

The total quantity of waste in place at Nonthaburi disposal site was estimated at 1,200,000 tons. This
waste amount was assumed to be in place at the opening of site and increased according to the
acceptance rate during the period from 2003 to 2006.

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 Feasibility of Landfill Gas Utilization for Power Generation: A Case Study in Thailand

4.2 Methane Generation Potential

Methane generation potential (Lo) of solid wastes is varied depending on the composition of solid
waste present at the landfill. However, the application of USEPA default parameter for Lo may not be
appropriate for the landfill in developing countries like Thailand. The basis for this conclusion is that
there is a considerable difference between the composition of solid waste that is disposed to landfill in
the United States (USEPA, 1998) and that which generated in Thailand. Based on some field data
available on gas production from solid waste in Thailand, a value for Lo of 50 m3/ton was selected for
the estimation for old open dump wastes and 155.9 m3/ton for fresh solid wastes, which is
considerably lower than the default value often used for gas estimation in other countries.

4.3 Methane Generation Rate Constant

The methane generation rate constant (k) determines the rate of generation of methane for solid waste
in the landfill. However, direct application of the USEPA default parameters for k may not be
appropriate for a landfill operated in developing countries. The basis used for the estimation of this k
value should be considered primarily based on the climatic condition in Thailand which is tropical
condition. In typical monsoon condition, a short intensive rainfall period of 2-3 months is followed by
a long dry period of 9-10 months. Where the suggested value mentioned in the Landfill Gas System
Engineering Design is 0.02-0.10 year-1 for dry climate was applied with a proposed value of 0.03
year-1 for this study.

4.4 Projected Methane Generation Rate

Based on the above mentioned, methane generation rate was determined as shown in Figure 2. During
the 15 years of project life time, LFG production is expected to gradually increase and reached its
peak at 10.73x106 m3 per year at the 5th year and then declined afterwards to 8.0 x106 m3 per year at
the 15th year. Assuming collection efficiency of 80%, the amount of LFG collected and available for
utilization was 8.59x106 m3 per year at the peak and declined to 6.57x106 m3 per year after 15 years.

12
k=0.03 , Lo = 155.93 m 3 /Mg
LFG Emission Rate (x10 6 m3 /yr)

11 QT
10 (QTx0.8)
9
8
7
6 100 kW (2 sets)
5
4 435 kW
3
2
1 435 kW
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Ye ar
Figure 2 LFG Generation and Utilization for Power Generation: System 1

5.0 UTILIZATION OF LANDFILL GAS FOR POWER GENERATION

Two schemes of LFG utilization for power generation were proposed. The system 1 utilized 2 set of

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large imported engine of 435 kW and local engine of 100 kW whereas the system 2 relied on
multiples set of small local engine of 100 kW. In system 1, the collected LFG could generate
maximum electricity power of 1.07 MW which run for 10 years (Figure 2). In system 2, LFG of
7.23x106 m3 per year could be utilized for power generation. It can generate maximum electricity of
1.1 MW by using 11 set of 100 kW engines. The plant can be operated for 5 years after which the
capacity will be reduced to 1.0 MW (10 sets) during 2012-2015) and 900 kW (9 sets) during 2015-
2017 respectively (Figure 3). The generated electricity is surplus to the requirement and can be sold to
the grid as current in-plant electricity consumption in at Nonthaburi solid waste disposal site is about
100 kW.

6.0 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF LFG TO ENERGY PROJECT

As the project can earn direct income from selling the electricity back to the grid, financial analysis of
project was carried out to determine the feasibility for investment by a private firm. In addition to net
present value and simple payback period, financial internal rate of return (FIRR) was used as the
indicators of the investment feasibility. The project period for landfill gas utilization was set at 10
years (2007-2017). The discount rate was assumed at 12%.

12 3
k=0.03 , Lo = 155.93 m /Mg
LFG Emission Rate (x10 m /yr)

11 QT
3

10 (QTx0.8)
9
6

8
7
6
5 100 kW
4 (11 se ts)
3 100 kW
100 kW
2 (10 sets)
(9 se ts)
1
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Year

Figure 3 LFG Generation and Utilization for Power Generation: System 2

The system 1 which utilized 2 set of imported engine of 435 kW and local engine of 100 kW has an
initial investment of 23.8 million Baht (1USD approx.35 Baht as of June 2007). Total operating and
maintenance (O&M) cost over 10 years period is estimated at 32.9 million Baht (equivalent to present
value of 16.7 million Baht). For the system 2 in which small local engines are utilized, the investment
cost is 10.8 million Baht and total O&M cost of 33.3 million Baht (present value of 18.7 million
Baht). The revenue of project comes from the selling of electricity back to the grid at a rate of 1.9
Baht/kWh.

From the analysis, it was found that the payment period and FIRR of the system 1 was 4.83 years and
21.36% with net benefit of 7.7 Million baht and the project is feasible for investment as the FIRR is
exceeding the current discount rate of money. In case of system 2, the net benefit was 16.8 Million
baht and payback period of 1.33 years and FIRR of 136.8%.

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 Feasibility of Landfill Gas Utilization for Power Generation: A Case Study in Thailand

7.0 CONCLUSIONS

Potential for implementing of landfill gas to energy project in Thailand was presented. The study was
conducted for Nonthaburi solid waste disposal site receiving 843 tons of solid waste per day from the
whole province. By using LandGEM model proposed by USEPA, the estimated maximum collected
gas was 8.59x106 m3 per year and 6.57x106 m3 per year in 15 years. The utilization of LFG can be
done by using 2 set of imported gas engine of 435 kW and local engine of 100 kW or multiple sets of
local engine of 100 kW. Total electricity production of 1.07 to 1.1 MW could be achieved. The
investment by private firm is feasible with FIRR of 21.36% or more.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study was carried out in a project on “Preliminary Design and Estimation for Feasibility Study on
LFG utilization for Power Generation” at Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization. The
financial support for this research was provided by Obayashi Corporation Ltd.

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