Estimation of Gas Emissions using the LandGEM Model from the Landfill of Baft County, Kerman, Iran

Over time, waste buried in landfills produces greenhouse gases (GHG) such as methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). It is essential to know and investigate the type and amount of production of these gases from landfills as well as their effects, considering the environment's vulnerability to GHG. In the present study, the gases released from the landfill of Baft county were estimated using the landfill gas emissions model (LandGEM). CH₄ production rate (k) and potential CH₄ generation capacity (L_o) considering the semi-arid area for Baft county were considered 0.05 year^-1 and 170 m³/Mg, respectively. According to the results, in 2054, an amount of 18703819 Mg/year of waste enters the landfill of Baft county. The emissions of landfill gases (LFG), including total landfill gas, CH₄, and CO₂, remained relatively constant between 2004 and 2044, followed by a period of increasing emissions until 2054. However, from that point onward, there was a decline in gas emissions that continued until 2144. In 2054, the estimated emissions for total landfill gas, CH₄, CO₂, and non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) are projected to be 3.043E + 05, 8.128E + 04, 2.230E + 05, and 3.493E + 03 Mg/year, respectively. Similarly, in 2144, the estimated emissions for total landfill gas, CH₄, CO₂, and NMOCs are projected to be 3.380E+03, 9.029E+02, 2.477E+03, and 3.881E+01 Mg/year, respectively. The potential to generate 18.25 MWh/year of electricity exists for the Baft county landfill in 2054. The study showed that a significant amount of CH₄ and CO₂ gases would be discharged into the atmosphere from the landfill site of Baft county, which can be recycled to help produce energy and improve air quality.