Biogas recovery from a state-of-the-art Italian landfill

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Waste Management
• Landfill Operations

Background:

• The Fossetto landfill in Monsummano Terme, Italy, has operated since 1988.
• Initially a conventional sanitary landfill, it evolved with technological advancements and regulatory changes.
• Upgrades included biogas recovery, a mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plant, and leachate recirculation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term efficiency of biogas recovery at the Fossetto landfill.
• To evaluate the impact of mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) and leachate recirculation on biogas generation.
• To identify sources of fugitive emissions and suggest monitoring improvements.

Main Methods:

• Long-term biogas monitoring and simplified efficiency calculations.
• Application of the USEPA LandGEM model to assess MBT impact.
• Detailed fugitive emission monitoring considering cover types and hotspots.
• Analysis of emission data to suggest remedial actions.

Main Results:

• Biogas recovery efficiency was approximately 40% over a ten-year period, lower than expected.
• The adoption of MBT and leachate recirculation reduced biogas generation yields and rates by up to 90%.
• Fugitive emissions, particularly from hotspots, accounted for approximately 50% of total emissions, reducing recovery efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The Fossetto landfill has transformed into a bioreactor due to MBT and leachate recirculation.
• Fugitive emissions significantly impact biogas recovery, necessitating improved monitoring strategies.
• Cost-effective methods like UAVs are recommended for frequent fugitive emission monitoring.