Proposal for Feasibility Assessment Model for Landfill Mining and Its Implementation for Energy Generation Scenarios

Abstract

New approaches to waste management and requirements of a circular economy have changed landfill management. Therefore, the updating on these subjects is required. To benefit from landfill mining, information about composition and properties of disposed waste should be gathered. Decay of landfilled waste over time primarily determines the amount of recyclable and combustible matter as well as the amount of landfill gas formation. In this paper, we propose scenarios for landfill management and we create a conceptual model on their basis. A conceptual model is formulated and theoretical calculations are performed and compared with field research results in order to understand changes in the composition of landfilled waste. Correlations between theoretical and actual results were determined. Correlations of theoretical and actual results for the Torma (EE) and Alytus (LT) landfills were 0.68 and 0.78, respectively. In addition, the changes of refuse-derived fuel resources in Alytus landfill during the previous 10-year period were calculated. Finally, four different landfill closure and aftercare scenarios with respect to energy generation were created, assessed, and compared.