Methods of On-Site Electricity Generation with Landfill Gas

Abstract

The US consumes large quantities of electricity. As a result, there is a growing concern
that energy may not be readily available in the future. This worry is compounded by the
depletion of traditional sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Municipal solid waste in
landfills is a resource the country may utilize as a renewable source of energy, as the gas
produced from landfills can be used to power generators for electricity production, rather than
wasted and flared to comply with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act standards. Systems
that utilize reciprocating internal combustion engines, microturbines, and molten carbonate fuel
cells can feasibly and cleanly reduce landfill gas emissions while producing electricity. However,
these methods require input work and initial investments. The main economic goal is to
maximize energy production. After economic analysis, the molten carbonate fuel cell system was
determined to be the most efficient due to its versatility and low emissions. The successful
implementation of the system may result in the propagation of the system, the increase in value
of landfill gas, and the waste that produces landfill gas. This may also lead to restructuring of
municipal waste system to enhance the usage of landfill gas.
Keywords: municipal solid waste, MSW, landfill gas, reciprocating internal combustion engines,
microturbines, molten carbonate fuel cells, MCFCs, siloxanes, emissions, greenhouse gases.